Clubbing has always been alive in Metro Manila. It became popular in the ‘90s when ravers would dance to old school tunes like “Higher and Higher” and “Till I Come”. These are ‘90s dance hits that popularized trance music in the country. If you were a raver, you probably remember wearing goggle shades and elephant pants inside a dark, cold club.Meet Bullet Martin, a 29-year-old advertising exec, who remembers every moment of his younger days as a parteeh boy. Among the popular spots Martin and his friends frequented were Kemistry in Malate, ABG's and Sambo’s along Pasay Road and Seven-Eight Orange on Makati Avenue.
“Honestly, it was what drove us every week. We always looked forward to a stress-free weekend. We made mistakes and tried a lot of nasty things in the past. But we grew up and learned our lessons. What I don’t regret are the friendships we built along the way,” he says.
24-HOUR PARTY PEOPLEMartin and his barkada would meet at the nearby McDo before heading to the club. A few minutes after midnight, they were already sipping the famous puñeta drink, a concoction of pineapple juice and rum. Before 2 a.m., the crowd was jumping to the speeding electronica music.
After the hop-dancing years at Sambo's, the spotlight turned to dance events produced by groups like Groove Nation and Natural Born Klubbers (NBK) in the late ‘90s.
“Some call them consortiums. I just call them events. It was those days when new TV series were launched through dance consortiums. Then, event groups would bring international star DJs like Paul van Dyk and Ferry Corsten to venues like Enterprise Tower and the World Trade Center,” he shares.
Since then, electronica has become a mainstream in Manila’s party scene and so did the glowsticks.
“Late last year, we heard rumors that an underground club was to be opened. We didn’t know if it was true. It reminded me of the warehouse event in the famous American indie film Groove. It’s about time,” Martin says.The news was indeed true. After the launch of Primero’s new events group Driven Manila, the main man decided to turn a 20-year-old, 600-sq.m. warehouse on 135 Yakal St., Makati into a party capital. Last Feb. 3, Warehouse 135 opened its doors to Manila clubbers with a new lifestyle. Fashionistas, who are not just limited to elephant pants, flaunt getups inspired by fashion from different decades. Old clubbers promote the love for dancing and the latest music from both foreign and local spinners.
“It’s got the right stuff,” he enthuses.
Apart from having a spacious dance floor, Warehouse 135’s appeal would be the fusion of modern and industrial designs. If that’s not enough, Warehouse promises to place the country in the global map by using special effects by Martin Mac and sound architecture by Eastern Acoustic Works (winner of “Best Sound System” and “Best Sound Product” at the 2006 Club World Awards). RnB, hip-hop, new school and sexy dance music are among the club’s eclectic lineup.THE REBIRTH OF UNDERGROUND
Warehouse 135’s grand opening was not to be missed. It showed Manila’s evolution in culture, fashion, technology and music. International DJ Shunji Moriwaki represented today’s global music, while DJs Anton Ramos (famous for his Chillout Project) and Elmer Dado played for the local scene. The tickets cost P700, which is the usual price of events these days.
Another smashing event was Warehouse 135’s Chinese New Year Party, which brought back one of world’s hottest female DJs, Lisa Loud. The “first lady of dance music” rocked the night with her strong and tribal beats.
Then last summer, The Jude Lee Experiment and Erwin Edralin were the spin stars at “Driven Boracay.” Manila’s party scene moved to Bora, which happens every year. Beachfront hot spot Hey Jude was the perfect venue for Driven Manila’s summer event. It’s not just about the beach anymore. Boracay became a large sandy disco.Last night, DJ-producer Steve Porter came to Warehouse 135 (www.drivenmanila.com) to play his famous blend of breaks, house, trance and techno. The American DJ famous for his “Porterhouse” remixes began producing music at 16. Since 1999, he has toured the globe with spin stars and has produced 50 originals and 30 remixes. David Jacob of NBK/Kee Club-Hong Kong also played tracks of today’s electronica. So who ever said the dancing’s over?
The party never stops.
Note: This is a true account about an electronica fan and is not intended as a historical piece. The flow of information is in context of mainstream culture.
Photos by Daniel Tan for Driven Manila
26 comments:
sorry, but obviously, whoever wrote this may just really be a "clubber" but really doesn't know the real roots of the scene in the country.
FYI, the scene DIDN'T start with "Better off alone" and the songs mentioned in the first paragraph. FYI, if you danced to those songs, you were just trying to get a grasp of the scene, because Trance was the common way in (there's a reason why those songs were played in Eat Bulaga).
BEFORE Orange, there was Sambo's, BEFORE Sambo's there was ABG's, BEFORE ABG's there was Consortium. And behind Consortium was Groove Nation. These weren't "just events". Consortium was abviously a whole different world that the writer and his correspondent were too mainstream to know about. And before Consortium was Toti Dalmacion's store called Groove Nation (sound familiar?), where people in the know could get real dance music that wasn't available anywhere else.
You wished you could experience something like the warehouse event in the movie Groove? I even went to an underground rave in a building Makati where we were shut down by the cops. Guess what, that really happened back then. With locations ranging from Star City to a warehouse in Pasong Tamo, 50pesos entrance anyone??
This post could really go on, but man, before printing in the papers, get your facts straight.
I agree with your clarifications. But really, man, I didn't intend this article to be a historical acount. But an interview article. I was simply describing the experiences of a dance music fan, which i refer to as "clubber."
And for the record, I am not a clubber. It's obvious that this isn't a mean to glorify myself as an electronica expert. I just want to entertain readers and share real life accounts. My editor and I intended every single word in this article. I assure you that. That's what printing in the papers really means.
Obviously, you didn't read through the piece well. Things about Consortium, ABG's, Sambo's and Orange were actually mentioned in the article. But they weren't written in chronological order.
Since your experieces are true, it's best to get it published or write a book. Have a nice day.
I believe real unadultarated clubbing started in the early nineties when Mars started playing Acid House (though some may say it started earlier with Stargazer though I was too young to remember). Lil' Louis "French Kiss", The Prodigy's "Out of Space", Smart E's "Sesame's Treat" and Jaydee's "Plastic Dreams" were the staples played by DJs Elmer Dado and James McCranie. I think its inaccurate to say that it started with Better off alone. Thats when clubbing started becoming cheesy with those ultra cheesy tracks that became everyone's ringtone.
The mid nineties had warehouse parties organized by the Brady Bunch and Groove Nation. The Brady Bunch was composed of among others Manolet Dario, Nicky Jurado and Robert Villaluz of Insomnia Cafe. Groove Nation called their parties "Consortiums" and nobody could forget the big one they had at the National Library. After that came ABGs and the rest, as the cliche goes, is history.
Until this year, I felt that the clubbing evolution suddenly stopped. Warehouse 135 though is making things much better. Check out http://rewired.mnl.com.
I'm willing to write an essay on the scene in Manila.
Thanks for the informative comment and I respect your opinion about the singles that turned "cheesy."
But based on our interviews with old time night owls, songs like "Better Off Alone" started out as anthems in some of the mentioned clubs until mainstream bars caught the hype.
And their overpopularity brought them to Eat Bulaga, which is why many consider them as "jologs" property.
Best example of great-dance-music-turned-bubblegum would be "Shiny Disco Balls." It was a hot song played at 78Orange (before it closed, eventually becoming Olive)before the Sex Bomb Girls danced to its tune.
I'm trying to check out the link you gave. But it's not working with my line.
An essay would be great. Pls post your email and blog address here
the funny thing with warehouse 135 is that its supposed to be underground, and the way they approach and advertise their events are not at all underground. also that the name warehouse itself is the basis for the whole house music genre, house began at underground warehouse parties in chicago and djs like frankie knuckles played very different music back then so they called it warehouse music, and eventually became house music. its just funny how people don't put the music first.
got that right! Elmer and McCranie were the shit! I actually got to visit Elmer's club in Iloilo a couple of years back, when he went on hiatus from the Manila scene. Got to catch up like crazy then. And McCranie's a really great guy, super solid yung beats nya. Can't forget the times we'd hang out after gigs, especially the ones on the beach.
carlo, thanks for hearing us out. but seriously, if the real story of the scene here were "really" written down, it would be an epic tale. doubt that the "clubbers" nowadays would really appreciate it, especially since it will really change the way they know some of the names and faces that they see around. its more of "for those who know" na lang to just smile and share a few laughs when they reminisce about it.
Even before Better off alone was being played in Eat Bulaga, it was already cheesy to begin with. Before that, there were songs like "Your Loving Arms" by Billie Ray Martin, "Renegade Master" by Wild Child "Everybody be Somebody" by Ruffneck. Those songs were played around 1994-96 at Warehouse parties which I believed was the turning point in making clubbing a big thing. I also mentioned Mars around 1992 to 93, so it would be much more accurate to say that clubbing started way before 1998 with "Better off alone".
I've been a clubber since the late 80's so I hoped you interviewed me as well, I would have given you my account of the history of clubbing from my own personal esperiences.
Today I'm a promoter doing a night called Rewired at Warehouse 135. I misspelled my link. Here's the correct spelling:
http://rewiredmnl.multiply.com.
I love clubbing, attended mostly all of major and minor events in the country.
yet it’s a shame, though I love clubbing and house music, I never attempted to learn or even know the roots and the culture behind it in our country.
I’m a child born during the mid 80’s so a big thanks for gliding me over for some highlights of clubbing history.
It’s not accurate like what some commentary posted. At least it was comprehensible to a person like me. Cheers!
Thanks a lot for your posts. I really appreciate the clarifications. I was aware of some of the events/music you mentioned. But our only goal was to illustrate an aspect of popular dance music.
to anonymous:
yeah, i know what you mean. but right now, they really should consider commercial value of the club to put food on the table. i think they pulled it off by promoting their events massively and playing real, good electronica.
maybe we need a group that's willing to spend time and money to pull off an authentic underground event. that will bring back the great memories you guys have mentioned.
wish i could listen to the songs you've mentioned.
to authentic:
i understand where you're coming from. hey, maybe we could still give it a try. it would be great to chat with real, experienced clubbers and tell the epic of local clubbing.
hope you guys can bring back the good 'ol days of underground events. you could still give it a twist to cater to old time ravers and those who wish they could experience the moment.
but it's still important to reinvent like what notable djs do. we might just bring it back.
to adrian:
I like "Renegade Master" and "Doom's Day." I get what you mean. It's more appropriate to say that "Better Off Alone" started the popularity of electronica in the '90s, specifically local pop culture.
Yeah. It would have been great to interview. But it's not too late. May be you can write your essay and we could publish it. Or I could fuse it with a possible feature on Rewired. I've heard about your gig. Hope it gets bigger.
All the best!
to graxie yap:
good to hear you're having a great time. as for me, it's time to learn more things about clubbing. i was very young when everything started out. may be you can talk to old time owls, djs and promoters. isn't it an interesting subject?
i'm glad you liked it. i was just trying to enumerate some notable events of our time. but i think some of them were right about things that i failed to mention.
all the best!
what are your email ads?
This is an interesting topic Carlo.
You can have feature related topics.
Imagine someone like me who isn't into clubbing. What can you tell me about this subculture?
Personally, I'm more interested in what makes the clubbers get hooked up with clubbing life.
Thank you.
-Cathy C.
hi cathy!
no prob! I'd like to give time to additional topics. Don't want to include everything in one sitting 'coz I want to provide brief articles/stories.
I think it's a very passionate culture. Going out in the middle of the night can be dangerous. You'll pass through some bumps along the way. But I'm amazed how electronica fans are serious in their inspirations. I'm a fan myself and the music helps me relax.
As for clubbing life, clubbers love to dance without inhibations. we've yet to know what stimulates them? some may say E? hehe
Thanks again!
Hi. =)
Thank you for all of the informative details about the clubbing history in Manila. I am 22 and I had just began clubbing, like 4 years ago , so a lot of what you've mentioned were unfamiliar to me. But Im glad I was able to read about it. =)
What stimulates a person to go for the clubbing life , and dance all night? -- I personally love to dance , and since I am naturally hyper, high & with unlimited energy, I could dance in the room for five hours straight in the same intensity. No need for "E". And the music that I go for varies as well - be it trance, or hiphop.
There were times a few months ago, when I would hit the club "alone" three times a week just to dance all night. Clubbing was not anymore a time to bond with friends through dancing, but a real way of self expression for me, cause it makes me uninhibited the most. And I had no regrets. It was just purely me, the music, and the feeling of being in a crowd in my 'expressive' self.
so ..there. i was just wanna share my own try & taste of the clubbing life. & til these days I am still in it , but not alone=)
~eVe~ =)
www.theoosh.com/profile/eve
Life is a Soundtrack!
just press PLAY &
move to the RHYTHM...
-shabbydabbydoo =)
http://babysha.multiply.com
it was the conioz time then. in 89 it was insomnia and the competing mars and euphoria (wherelse),then malate republic and kemistry (street party! 96 or 98') and then venezia(v bar, rock candy). common ground was also cool then(la pa mga bata).. loreano compound came in with the big hit abgs (k8) , sambos and 78orange( olive, government)in makati ave... party animals also gather in zuellig compound... tapos libis became very famous the club centro and eastwood thats why malate and makati nightlife laylowed.. tas tinayo ang greenbelt 3 yun party napunta sa temple... pinagbawal yosi sa makati kaya crowd died down slowly kahit wazabi was around pa.. then pumasok sa seen ang pravda and flute (eto matagal na)kahit medyo tahimik lang at never naabot ng mga jologs at hampas lupa.. buti fort came up with embassy.. gosh! pero yung crowd pabata ng pabata... ang hirap maki party sa mga mukang high school students.... pero nuong 1998-2000 we had several events na in the old bodegas in pandacan pero grabe yun puro drugs.. malulunod ka sa party.. yun i really consider na underground.. plus the foam parties left and right.. masaya... pero may matitinu din naman the counterpart of it was dun sa nbc tent dami din drugs pero tago naman.. eto ang buhay clubeers.. you cant be 1 kung di mu napuntahan g na til morning na ang tapos.. and tried things with the majika of electronika.. i disagree pala with better of.. puthcha! dami ng matinung music nun...buti nowadays galing na ng concept iv been to warehouse135 and impresss ako... event pala in esplanade ok din... matino!
i think clubbing really had it popularity during the malate street party came along... dun lang kasi talga natuto gumimik ang dami tao and revolutionized the way we g.. corect me if im wrong pero ithink its the truth. dun kasi una nag enjoy ang crowd. sa makati gigimik ka to make porma and showoff... e sa street of nakpil pasok ka verve or kemistry puthcha kahit di ka sabog para ka narin sabog...insomnia nga nun.. di ka makakapasok pag pangit ka,pero men heavy sa loob, everybody was on chonki and everybody knows everybody OP ka pag muka kang bago...... kaya now some authentic clubbers ayaw irecognize ang malate kasi it became pugad ng mga bading but truly is... it is the birth place of it where people of today that advocate technos and house truly met in nakpil st.not so long time ago..
who knows mauro picoto? if you where then an underground party addict.. you must enjoy him....
I was smilling while reading all your comments....In my case I started to experienced clubbing during my first year college...We were 5 in a group..usually go out every Wed,Fri & Sat..roaming around looking for nice place to hangout & party....we go every where. Nakpil,Pasong Tamo & Makati Area....In my own experience; Nakpil(Verve,Insomia & Kemistry), Mars, ABG's & Sambo's are realy common place where party people go & do clubbing...then it came the 78 Orange..which from what I remember where closed because it was showed in the news that drug "E" is easily sold in that place... I aggree to the guy who mentioned the name of mauro piccoto...he has a nice songs... Better of alone song, become famous then Angelmoon who sang he's all I want....
I been to Warehouse once,the ambiance was nice... I can say that I was amazed the first time I visited the club...
Even do I already had a kid, I reealy miss going to clubs & relax for a while...It really relax me when im in a noise club places....
ya....check driven manila's site..they have rock bands now..yaaaakkkk
ya....check driven manila's site..they have rock bands now..yaaaakkkk
Ever since I was a kid, my parents went off clubbing and it made me so jealous. Well now, I'm 18, on the verge of 19, still young, but I can proudly say that I'm passionate about house/techno music. It's just been pretty recent that I've been clubbing, like a year or so...but I'm so ready to embrace the whole study hard-party harder deal and everything that the night life will bring me. House music sooothes me. it's like my freakin therapy. it's my cure.
eto ang underground-
TWILO
sa libis.
BAAAAAAAAAM!
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