Makiling 10th Anniversary Gig at Xaymaca

by Diwa de Leon
August 28, 2007

It was past 10pm already and the band was nowhere in sight at Xaymaca. The crowd is lively and guests keep on arriving. It was a relatively full house. And where was the band? Still practicing at Otto’s house!

We’ve been together as a band for ten years. That’s a decade man! But tonight, something was different. We were all nervous. We are so used to playing gigs but this nervousness was a bit different. Was it because it was a special night? Were we afraid to make a mistake on our songs on a gig that would summarize what weve been doing for ten years? I don’t know why exactly, but there it was: butterflies in our stomach.

We arrived at Xaymaca at nearly eleven o’clock. Our friends were texting us asking where we were. They all got there before us. It was so satisfying to see our complete set of friends waiting for us at Xaymaca. They were the ones who have been watching and dancing to our music for past ten years, and they were all there!

We started our first set with an all original song line-up. Basically a bare-bones Makiling set. It was an absolute joy to see the people shaking their heads to our groove, or the sight of our friends lined-up near the bar dancing their hearts out.

Xaymaca is basically a reggae bar, but we are thankful that they gave us a night to celebrate our tenth year. As a courtesy to them, we gave a second set of all reggae songs ala-Makiling style.

We also did a third set showcasing more of our later compositions, most of which are lined up for our third album. It’s a long shot from being released, but the plans are there.

Well, that mostly sums up the opening concert for our tenth anniversary celebration. Next one will be at Penguin Cafe in Malate on September 14. Thanks again to all those who came and joined our celebration.

Special thanks to Xaymaca Bar, Sinag, Ani, Mae, Daniw, ang Tropang Cordillera Gwen, Nadya & Richard aka Mr. Sinalimbay, Mavi, Jamir, Jamir Syalam, at sa lahat ng hindi na namin maalala. Salamat sa inyo!