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Saturday, August 13, 2005
Music, beer and veggie pizza!
By Cattski Espina
Til the Cat lady sings
I’m still a bit hungover from last Monday’s partying at the 1st Anniversary Celebration of Handuraw Café. I can’t believe it’s been a year since they opened; it doesn’t feel like a year at all.
I still remember clearly the very first time I tasted their Vegetarian Pizza, which swiftly became THE pizza for me from that moment onwards.
I’ve always been a fan of Kahayag Café, and ever since Handuraw opened, I’ve considered them as one. It’s really just a wall that divides both venues, if you think about it. The whole place is like one big house with big rooms and dens, and which room you wish to stay in depends on your mood.
If you want to head bang over some pumped volume on weekends, there’s the Plugged-In Party at Handuraw. Or if you want to relax and be in a laid back atmosphere, Kahayag’s just next door ready with their acoustic acts. If you’re not into bands, you can check out the Karaoke Room for a little bit of vocal practice. You can also do a quick check on your email at Cyber Basics while waiting for your friends. And if you want to get drunk, and you’re a little low on the budget, the beer is cheap at the convenience store right beside the Handuraw entrance.
If it’s a house, then it must have its occupants-- the family living there.
Literally. It’s a family business of the Pestaños and the Smiths, after all. But figuratively, it’s one big family of local artists, musicians, media people, students, professionals, foreign nationals, music fans, etc. These are the people who constantly return to Kahayag or Handuraw, that make up this one big family that got together Monday night to celebrate!
It was a great party with overflowing free food and beer.
Handuraw must have fed hundreds of people that night.
Everybody was in the party mood, too. Even Jude Bacalso, with his new silk gown and boob padding, rendered a few minutes of his precious hosting services and added a bit more character to the party.
I was there partly on the job to capture bullet footage of bands I will feature on Amped’s upcoming episodes. I lay witness to how vibrant and beautiful our local music has become. I was simply blown away by the performances of The Kadangyan, Hardwood, Island Joe and that newcomer Hastang. Even cover band Pandora seemed to have evolved into something else too. If not for Handuraw, these bands won’t have a venue to showcase their original music.
With the Handuraw Anniversary Party in mind, I know for sure that this place, this little community of venues at the ground floor of an old building in M.J. Cuenco, is a true success. And the success of these venues can only be attributed to the people behind it with their welcoming nature, their passion for art, their love for music and great food. This is the reason why in Kahayag or Handuraw, you feel you have stepped into a world where your senses can indulge in all these pursuits.
On a personal note, there is a reason why this place is so close to my heart.
Significant moments of my life happened here. In moments of rage, it’s where I go home to for my comfort food, beer and the company of good friends who make me feel safe. I’ve celebrated birthdays here too, mine and a few special people.
The best part of this place is the openness of the owners. I say this because they’ve made me feel like I’m part of the family.
They’ve always been very supportive of me, my band and whatever it is that I do. And this is what I am very grateful for.
And oh, I messed up the lyrics to my own songs when we performed during the anniversary party… I have to admit, I was completely embarrassed.
I apologized to the Handuraw crowd, blaming it on my weak memory. But I know, and I am sure, it was okay. The one thing that I’ve learned over the years is that it’s okay to sing out of tune or make mistakes in this place. It’s the one place where you truly can, and must, come as you are.
(August 13, 2005 issue)
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