WHEN one door closes another window opens. This was what recently happened when my favorite weekend hangout place had to temporarily close which led me into yet another party scene just a few walks away from it.
A little secluded as it is surrounded by shops at the corner of B.S. Aquino Drive and Lacson Street you have to pass through a narrow passage to get in. But once in, the beat echoes through its walls you know you are in for a night of revelry. Dimly lit, the crowd is a mix of people from all walks. A different bracket alright but equally fun. The place is called Theios.
As I frequent the place I got to make friends with their regulars as well as all the bar staff who made sure I am always attended to.
This week let me feature the man behind the great music at Theios - MC Bien.
Born as Bien Julio D. Binguan, MC Bien hypes up the crowd every night and provides the kind of party like there is no tomorrow.
Self-taught, MC Bien learned from his colleagues in the music industry as he perfected his craft.
“Noon po talaga isa lang akong ordinary party goer ng Club Sibeeria, labas halos every party kasama mga tropa. Hanggang naging kaibigan ko ang mga dj at mc doon. Na halos mga gigs nila sumasama ako especially sa mga gigs ni MC Keith. Nag start po talaga ang career ko bilang McBien nong 2014 Bacolaudiat Festival, pina try ako ni Mc Keith humawak ng microphone at mag pa hype daw sa stage. Ayon, mejo nagustuhan ko ang vibe na mag hype ng tao, so nag practice, nagpaturo at nood ng mga performances nila Mc Keith at Mc Joms hanggang sa narating ko to ngayon,” he said.
Like all the rest who went through a learning curve, MC Bien also struggled in his beginnings. “A few of my struggles were to face a very big crowd, to stutter when I speak, and sometimes I get mental block on stage. But I survived them all. I learned to enjoy all my performances just to get the nerves out of my system.”
“Kahit sino or kahit anong genre kaya ko naman pong sabayan, kaylangan kasi if gusto mong maging isang magaling na hypeman dapat kahit sino na dj or kahit anong genre kaya mong sabayan at kaya mong makipag coordinate sa kanila sa taas ng stage,” he shared as he points having no problem collaborating with other musicians.
MC Bien has had quite a portfolio of big events. He has already played at Kalamayan festival in Victorias, Dinagyang Lovedance, Sinulog De Kabankalan, Dinagsa in Cadiz, Sinigayan Festival in Sagay, Bailes de Luces in La Castellana, Masskara Festival in Bacolod, and Bacolaudiat Festival Bacolod.
Aside from MCing, Bien also manages Theios Bar.
“As of now, stick muna ako dito. Gusto ko muna tulungan na makilala ang bar na pinagtatrabahuan ko. Gusto ko muna lumaki at maging kilala ang Theious, but hindi rin mawala sa akin na sana in the future magkaroon din ako ng sariling bar o negosyo.”
Aside from being a hypeman, MC Bien also used to choreograph dance. At one point he was a professional soccer player and also the team captain of SteelWolves Centurions, a professional Mobile Legend team very well-known in the country.
MC Bien is happily married to Danica and is blessed with their son, Lionel Nickolai.
When asked about what lessons he learned from doing his craft, MC Bien has three things to share; be humble, be aggressive, and offer it to God.
Cheers to MC Bien for hyping up yet another party scene here in Bacolod. Do check out Theios Bar at Ramos if you are up for some house music. And watch out for my next stop as I navigate the nightlife in this amazing city of smiles.