There is a big night for music lovers who want to relive and celebrate the iconic songs of the 1970s, known as Manila Sound, first introduced in the Philippines by the well-known Hotdog Band.
Some of the popular songs influenced by the so-called Manila Sound are Pers Lab, Ikaw ang Miss Universe ng Buhay Ko and Annie Batungbakal—and this Manila Sound eventually paved the way to the creation of the Original Pilipino Music (OPM)
Calling all the Pinoy seniors, middle-aged men and women and the Pinoys who are the perennial, always young-at-heart, new and old fans—let’s rock the Toronto Pavilion in one night on November 22 by tapping our toes, clapping our hands, swaying our bodies when these two long-time members of this Hotdog’s Band Mon Torralba and its lead singer, Ella De Rosario, belt out those unforgettable songs Pers Lab, Ikaw ang Miss Universe ng Buhay ko Manila, Mr Disco and O Lumapit ka.
Let’s come and be there–Oh, what a night of fun and merriment it will be, listening to these nostalgic songs of the 70s, especially the Pers Lab and Ikaw ang Miss Universe ng Buhay ko, and surely upon hearing these songs, we most probably cannot help ourselves but hum and silently sing these songs to our hearts’ delight.
Of course, upon reflecting on the lyrics of these songs, it will bring out lots of images to our mind, like our first love, first date, and those lovers’ quarrels in the middle of Luneta Park.
After 50 years, Mom will be reuniting with Ella Del Rosario to relive Hotdog’s hit song, “Pers Lab,” and the so-called classical anthems like “Ikaw ang Miss Universe ng Buhay ko”, “Manila and O Lumapit ka.”
Previously, plans had been made for a concert reunion among the original members of the Band, but they were not pursued due to the deaths of its two primary members, Dennis and Rene Garcia.
I want to quote some parts in one article I wrote in 2020 about their botched grand reunion that says:
“Mon didn’t say what had caused the Band’s separation for almost 40 years, but I found an article at Wikipedia that says, “Amidst the successes and fame that the band was garnering, Hotdog disbanded in the 80s because the members wanted to pursue individual interests”.
Had that reunion been pushed through, it could have been the most memorable get-together for the Band’s original members, who for a very long time had neither communicated with each other nor even tried to patch up their differences that could have ended their separation.
That reunion could have given their loyal followers so much excitement, looking forward to the day when their much-loved Band could play their favourite songs of the 70s: Annie Batungbakal, Manila, Ikaw ang Miss Universe ng Buhay Ko, O, Lumapit ka, and Pers Lab.”
On a personal note, I’d like to thank Mon Torralba for sending me a message inviting me to this concert reunion, assuring me that some of my media colleagues’ families will also be there.
Mon says, “Hi Willie, I thought about contacting you as you probably will be interested in my upcoming concert on November 22 at the Toronto Pavilion. I can’t forget what you wrote about the botched Hotdog reunion. Original singer Ella del Rosario will be my guest. We will perform Hotdog and 70s tunes. Hope you can make it.”.
Don’t let this chance of a lifetime to listen to those 70s songs again in this Hotdog Band’s concert pass you by.