It was UP FAIR 98 -- Equipped with a guitar at my back, Aris and I got inside our dorm manager's office."Ma'am tugtog po kami sa Fair mamaya, baka late na po kaming uuwi" said Aris while trying to sit still. I was standing speechless behind him."Dalawa kayo?" she asked. Aris and I nodded in agreement. She nodded in response, then we got out of the office and was soon outside the Kalayaan dorm.
With a terrified look, we comforted our nervousness with isaw we bought in front of the Kalayaan dorm. Aris made his speech about our plan of
winning a record label someday. "Today Sunken garden, tomorrow the world". I mumbled something like "Yes".
We got inside the Fair and waited at the backstage since we were lined-up for the 3rd performance. Then Chito and the rest of the Parokya ni Edgar came in. They were sat in the pavement a few inches in front of us with other bands we didn't know. We stared at them in amazement.
The first performance was from the UP Madrigal singer. I tried to watched from the side of the backstage not knowing that I was blocking someone else's view. I realized my mistake and apologized not knowing that I made a small conversation with the P.O.T. front man.
The second performance was from Kontra Gapi, a group of talented young musician known for playing native musical instruments. We were trying to compose ourselves when Bob, our contact for the night's performance, approached us. "Mukhang mauuna ang mga bandang sikat. Okay lang bang medyo mamaya na kayo?" he asked. We didn't mind, as long as we get to play we said.
A few front act bands played and there was a noise from behind the backstage entrance. Then Ely Buendia got in followed by Raymund then by Buddy then by Marcos -- the whole ERASERHEADS was there!!! They were greeted by other bands and there at the backstage they formed their circle of cool, while we were mere audience of a preconcert event. One of our friends who accompanied our waiting was able to ask for multiple autographs; it was like hitting many birds with one pen.
Then one by one, the famous bands were called. We watched dreamily as they performed in between cheers and applause. My throat was drying up from the crowds outburst. I was afraid of performing with the audience seeing and hearing us as white noise. But nevertheless I enjoyed watching the bands up close and not-so-personal. There was even a time when Buhawi of the Parokya was watching just beside us studying how the other bands were playing and making criticism as if talking to nobody; I actually thought he was talking to me.
Then Bob came back again and told us that we were moved to a later schedule, probably at around midnight or early morning. It was the last sign of defeat. I had an exam the next day, and there was no way we can get back in the dormitory after our curfew hour. We said we'll just watch a bit more and will head back to the dorm. In a way, it was a relief since I don't think we can perform to meet the crowd's expectation -- or maybe I was wrong; maybe it was our chance of a lifetime and we blew it.
Though I never regretted having done so, I will treasure the moment: An experience which still makes me smile while strumming my guitar. We get to play a few gigs after that, and I was able to interview the Eheads for a paper 2 years after; but still, nothing beats that first time
in the backstage.
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