Ardent at Kafika: Turning the music up amid pandemic

BACOLOD. Ardent band members John Rey Baquilar, Kenneth Fernandez Medina, Jolo Lucasan, John Flores, Leopher Bonotano, Gerold Gaviola, Daphne Bonotano, Rusty Bonotano, and Shawn Rhay Tabujara. (Contributed photo)
BACOLOD. Ardent band members John Rey Baquilar, Kenneth Fernandez Medina, Jolo Lucasan, John Flores, Leopher Bonotano, Gerold Gaviola, Daphne Bonotano, Rusty Bonotano, and Shawn Rhay Tabujara. (Contributed photo)

THE entertainment industry in Bacolod City had been put on hold since the Covid-19 pandemic began early last year. All gigs were halted by the outbreak. The chance of experiencing live music without the vaccine seemed very unlikely until Bacolod City began its transition into the less restrictive phase this month as it allows restaurants to serve liquor up until nine in the evening.

As the city’s night life began to pick up again, intriguing news through word-of-mouth from fellow night-lifers has reached me about a place in Mansilingan hosting live entertainment on weekends. It was surely something I would not miss for the world.

Without much thought I searched and navigated the road towards the said place with gusto.

To my surprise, quite a number of good restaurants along the road are in operation. Along the strip of food joints is a narrow road that led me to Kafika Café, a restaurant that serves coffee and a delectable variety of dishes while patrons get entertained by live music.

As music and people filled the restaurant last weekend, the mask-wearing locals maintained a pandemic-friendly distance from one another. At first glance, one can already tell that the place implements safety protocols, enough to make one feel that it is indeed safe to hang out there.

But more than the place, the Ardent Band playing that night was just amazing. Song after song I felt like I was brought into a different world and if not for the safety protocols I would have surely found myself on my feet bouncing on every beat. Indeed their songs offered me my much-needed distraction after months of social isolation.

Of course I did not miss the opportunity to make friends with these young talents and decided to interview them for us to know a little bit about this amazing band.

***

Why did you name your band Ardent?

Ardent means enthusiastic and passionate and it represents us individually in our group when it comes to music.

How did you start as a band?

All of us are close friends who share the love for music. We used to jam until such time we decided to create a band. We then auditioned at one of the bars here in Bacolod City and we got accepted. That was how we started our first gig.

What is your music genre?

Individually we have our own preferred genre but then we are also flexible with everyone’s capabilities and so we are continuously enhancing ourselves to become more versatile. We play Reggae, Alternatives, Pop, Country, Blues, Rock, Jazz, and even Trance Music.

What was your biggest break?

So far, one of our biggest breaks was when we were asked to be the front act in the concert of the famous band “Siakol.” Since then, we got more and more invitations to play and more people are noticing us in the local music scene.

Are you planning to make music your full time profession?

Yes! We also want to earn from our compositions and I think this is the ultimate dream of all musicians to do what they are passionate about and to earn as well in the process.

What is your next plan as a band?

For now were focusing on our compositions. If given an opportunity, we will release it right away. But for now, as what people see, we are doing covers but with our own rendition dahil yan ang tatak Ardent although covers, pero ina-apply namin ang aming originality.

***

When asked why they decided to be musicians, Rusty said music is really his big dream. He wanted his passion to become his career. This was also seconded by Shawn Rhay when he said music is his passion and that is what his heart tells him.

Leopher for his part said, “It’s what makes me happy. For me being a musician makes me feel that I’m the richest man in the world because this is my treasure. Music can connect to everyone. Without music I am nothing.”

Daphne, the only woman in the group said, “I believe that the music’s power is within me. Hence, I decided to follow my heart’s desire to show who I am. Music is my way to escape from reality. For me, music is an indestructible form of magic.”

The Ardent Band is open for private events booking. They can be reached through their Facebook and YouTube channel TY & Daph or through contact number 09062657315.

If you want to catch them live, visit Kafika Café at Mansilingan on Fridays and Saturdays. See you there!

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