past forward

Yesterday, i stumbled upon a bag full of old pictures,papers,fliers from back in the day. It’s amazing how time flies and how we’ve changed, improved or failed throughout the years. There were lots of good times and equally bad experiences but all in all, essential in what we may be doing today. It’s good to look back every now and then,in order to move to the future.

One day you’re selling records then you’re on radio, the next time you part own a bar and when you wake up you’re married with kids, managing bands and running a small label. Along the way you meet different people, some of which are still around and some are gone, much like places and things. Here’s a few examples of miscellaneous goings-on that had something to do with my yesterday, in correlation to today and possibly,even tomorrow.

flier for the opening of the “way ahead of its time” bar for the local lounge lizards circa 1998

the original Groove Nation partners. Arnel F.,Alde A. and myself.

The Verve Room where Mario was the resident dj and yours truly guested every now and then.

my co-host Myrene(Sandwich/Imago) at the old NU107 station for Groove Nation Sessions 94-96

with Boo Kyler during the RT years for Groove Nation's After Hours

my Vespa taken by Neil Oshima

the actual mag ad featuring the Vespa

with Jason Bentley of Metropolis on KCRW/Quango Records and then girlfriend Veronica.

Some of the coolest Jap friends of mine and the GN crew. Shigeru and Koro. Not in picture is Hiro. Our excellent visual graphic jocks and former partners in Lava Lounge.

Alde and Arvin.A couple of my really really good friends. Here in fookin' Manchester vibe circa 1990

Regulars at the store then. Bob Y,Felisa and my cousin AJ G.

old friends from highschool/mobile days in the 80s. Maly and Boom of Violent Playground and also at one point,singer of VP,actor and news anchor Manoy

Jonny, Pepi at 1 1/2, myself and Kim of DSOUND

our beloved top dogs Margot and Georgie who just recently passed away after 14 years of making us happy.

those of you who went to Groove Nation should know Carlo O. and Joel G.(my best friend) who were behind the counter pre-dating High Fidelity shenanigans. Right here in their glorious 80s new wave pose. Carlo is currently with Ben Sherman/Paul Smith and Joel resides in the US.

Noel dB, now of Sweetspot and engineer for Up Dharma Down with the other GN guys Doy and Cocoy at the old 99.5RT studio for SNL with Boo Kyler

Gienel! Koro and Hiro- the best visual graphics guys and way before the term video jock came about. Great friends as well. Also in the picture is Paolo , another good friend and supporter

Benedictine Abbey School school mates of mine, Jocson brothers and Joel in the US. Young, Pinoy and in the snow. New Wave chong!

Peter Coyle of The Lotus Eaters with good friend and Groove Nationale Karlo at the dinner hosted by my cousin Cherish.

Cocoy, Myself, Jon Hardy,Chez Damier(standing), Derrick Carter and Paolo t. in 98

take your pick...The Fat Boys? Ant & Dec? I have no idea how they were able to convince us to pose like this in Boracay but here it is. You may stop laughing now.

Laurent Garnier and i at the best Consortium ever in 97

After store hours we usually hangout a bit. Felisa,Patrick,myself,my cousin Louie and John "B-Boy" Deakins

no, it ain't Bagets nor The Gwapings, It's Positive Noise L.A. chapter. Edwin & Robert Maclife,Dwight A., Dan S. Lots of good times with these bunch and yes ,we were hamming it up for the cam!

For the Halloween party around 97 at Ramon Magsaysay Center in Malate, Mario S dressed as uhm, of course, Mario of Mario Brothers and Ces G. as some housefwife in curlers.

A Youth and a couple of Muhlachs

more Muhlachs

One of my early bookings and with an itsy bitsy billing alongside L.A.underground staples of the day and the great Doc Martin himself. check out the Toti D. spelling. I suppose you can guess why. If not, say my name with an American twang.

Aphrodite, Christian Smith and Misstress Barbara and the press at Lava Lounge

9 Fanzine

Mutual Admiration Society

Tracey Thorn and fanboy with the"pinch me i must be dreaming "look.

Vividly remember this tour and dancing to Greame Park at the Mayan dropping really low BPM tracks like Inner City's "Watcha Gonna Do with My Lovin" and Saint Etienne's version of "Only Love Can Break Your Heart"

one of Seal's best known songs "killer" is originally an Adamski 12"single featuring a then unknown Seal .Here, he gamely holds a placard promoting Positive Noise. No Groove Nation, Terno Recordings yet in the offing.

3 of the still,very active and loyal Groove Nation people around. Mario and Gina S., Cyril Y.

3 of the cast of Melrose Place Bgy Groove Nation. Felisa,Benjie L.and Belle currently with NU107

my former partners in Quiapo vintage watch expeditions Agu P(now editor of Men's Health mag and the guy responsible for the striking Groove Nation logo) and Karlo, full time husband and writer at large.

This a shocker i know but this was Oakenfold pre-prog and trance crap-ola, when he was still putting out good stuff like Movement 98 and produced the Happy Mondays' Pills,Thrills & Bellyache. What i find more shocking is my Tom Hingley inspired bowl cut. It made me look more like Efren Reyes Jr.!

a little recent but connected. Pepi was just 3yrs.old here,with friend Noelle

my bosses

pepi age 3 then at Terno Au Go Go with Carlos. Heavy Duty...Rock & Roll.

rajo,yes the designer at Consortium.

Cecile Zamora's Grocery at Consortium

The actual test print of the Groove Nation(store)logo done by an Angeleno.

the Groove Nation paper cd bag

sample fan mail of Groove Nation Sessions

first episode of Groove Nation Sessions

is this old skool or what?

again with the name (towdi dee)