21/07/2025
December Avenue Concert at Tinupig Festival for the 75th Founding Day of Lasam, Cagayan
June 11, 2025
When we were asked to organize the December Avenue concert for Lasam, Cagayan, we took it as proof of the reputation we built over the years.
As a brief background, we have been quietly building our events portfolio with bar gigs, concerts and music festivals.
Notable of these clients are Ropali Corporation (bookig bands for their annual Partakan Festival), CEZA (again booking bands for their events such as their Beach Volleyball Tourney), Asia Brewery, Tumauini LGU (Chongkeys Concert and Battle of the Bands). We have also booked foreign bands to play here in the Phillipines such as Greek Metal band Crystal Tears and Australian Pop Punk Agamas.
Additionally, we were already booked for June 28 for the first ever Fete dela Musique Cagayan Valley Destination Stage, an internationally celebrated music festival organized by Alliance Francaise and the French Embassy. Yes, that music festival that has been celebrated in the country for 31 years.
So can we handle two big events in one month? Of course we can.
We are confident that we can pull it off.
With less than two months to prepare, we said yes to the challenge.
We contacted at least 30 bands for the event but was able to secure the nod of December Avenue because of their availability.
After securing the booking for the band, the next step was to check all riders are agreeable to the band. For those in the events industry, riders are the specific instructions or requests of bands to be able to perform. These riders are either technical (equipment, backline, sounds, lights etc), hotel/accommodation, food and transport riders.
These riders, depending on the contract are separate from the cost of the talent fees for bands.
As land transport is not possible considering the length of travel and the stress and discomfort land travel would be, it was decided to have the band and the crew fly from NAIA to Tuguegarao on the day of the event.
For their accommodation, the Dec Ave team decided to stay at a hotel in Tuguegarao so that they can check in early and check out early the next day after the event on June 12. We were able to secure Gohotels for their accomodation.
Since the band is not picky about their food, it was agreed to have their breakfast at NAIA, Lunch in Tugue (the band preferred local food so they went to a local carinderia) and dinner at Lasam where they will be served with traditional Filipino food.
As for land transportation from Tuguegarao to Lasam, it was agreed that the band will be provided with three vehicles. One for the tech team who will travel directly from the airport to Lasam to check on the existing equipment. Another for the band who will travel later at 5pm from Gohotels to Lasam. Another vehicle was to be used exclusively for the bands peronal music equipment.
With most of the requests/riders secure, the tech rider was sent to me for checking. Tech riders, are important pieces of information containing the specific equipment that the bands are amenable to use or at least an approximation of it. These are itemized list of equipment that the band cannot carry to the event. For the event to be successful, both the organizers and the band must carefully choose the equipment provider. Most professional bands have preferred equipment providers. Most insist to exclusively use these equipment providers as they are already familiar with the equipment and the people they will be working with. These factors are important for professional bands to be able to perform at their best. In a performance, its not just the band that should play well but also the equipment must be at par with the talent. The tech team for both the bands and the equipment provider must be able to work seamlessly. The event organizer, must be able to sync the movements and prepare and orient both parties so that the event goes perfectly well.
Anyway, after reading the tech rider, we contacted equipment providers so they can send their counter tech riders. About 5 sounds and light providers sent their counter tech riders. After careful evaluation, we sent out two of the best that I think can carry out the event. One from Santiago and one from Gonzaga. It was now at the hands of the guest band to choose which they want to use.
Sho, the tech manager for the band, choose the service provider from Gonzaga with a few recommendations. One, that the equipment provider add a few speakers and that they will only use a Pearl Reference kit. The equipment provider agreed to provide the equipment requested by the band.
With the riders out of the way, its time to secure the services of supporting bands. Our goal is not only to provide entertainment for the Lasam crowd but also to promote local music. As such, we asked a few bands from Cagayan and Isabela if they want to perform as front act for December Avenue. After careful consideration, it was decided that Caelith(a metalcore band from Nueva Vizcaya) and Salumina(Amulung based reggae band) will be the front acts for the event. The BFP Northfire band, Lasam LGU band and local band Bandbantay rounded up the list for the front acts.
Prior the day of the event, we already already proceeded to Lasam to check and supervise the setting up of the equipment. The plan was that the Middle Class crew will supervise the setting up of the equipment and the soundcheck of the local bands on the morning of June 11. On the other hand, some of our crew (Chrysler Valdez and his wife Jocelyn, together with Lasam LGU officer) will meet December Avenue in Tuguegarao and accompany them going to Lasam.
Confident of the equipment after our initial check, we holed up at our accomodations to wait for the event day. With all the pieces in place, it’s now a matter of ex*****on.
EVENT DAY JUNE 11
We woke up early at about 8am and proceeded to the venue for the soundcheck of the bands.
The soundcheck was supposed to be early since we are anticipating that the December Avenue team would be doing their assessment of the equipment and soundcheck at 3pm. Their request was that during their soundcheck, they would only be the ones present at the venue.
Caelith, ever the professional, arrived at about 3am. Salumina also arrived early at 7am.
We advised Mika (host for the night) to contact the other 2 performers for their orientation and soundcheck. Only 4 bands were able to do the soundcheck. Caelith, Salumina, Band ni Yodi and Bandbantay. The soundcheck was attended by Sir Rodel Urian of LGU Lasam. Mayor Dandexter Agatep also went to check how the preparations are going. The soundcheck ended at about 1130pm. At about this time, we were already told that December Avenue has arrived and that their tech team was on the way.
The tech team of December Avenue arrived at about 230pm and immediately went to work. After a brief introduction with their very friendly road manager, we went over the plan for the event. The December Avenue crew finished their equipment and soundcheck at about 5pm.
At about this time, we were advised that December Avenue was already on their way to Lasam.
Sir Rodel Urian and Miss Rea Macasaddu Simon was already the venue to check the preparations for the gate opening and security.
At about 6pm, as agreed during the orientation, we informed December Avenue management that we will be opening the gates and will be starting the event thereafter.
GAMETIME
The plan was as soon as the gates open, the show would start. The LGU officials advised us that the Mayor has not requested to speak as he wants the crowd to enjoy the show uninterrupted. There was to no speech nor a will there be a formal program.
Each band would have 30 minutes performance including soundcheck and exit from the stage. That’s about 5 or so songs. The order of performance was Banda ni Yodi, BFP Northfire Band, Caelith, Salumina, Taga Bandbantay and lastly, December Avenue.
Banda ni Yodi took the stage first. Mika (the host and vocalist of the band) preferred to play first as he will be hosting the whole night. The band is the official LGU band for their weekly events at the plaza. The LGU has invested equipment for use by musicians in the community and Banda Ni Yodi, whose members are all LGU employees are the ones who maintain and take care of the band equipments of the LGU. This is a commendable effort from the LGU. This project was initiated by Sir Rodel Urian of the MPDC office with the goal of providing instruments for use by the LGU in its programs. Although nervous, you can see that the band has benefitted from the project as they played current OPM hits with aplomb and confidence. The band members are ready to play the paid gigging circuit. They played the following songs: Oo, Bulong, Alab ng Puso and Bandila. Mika has a great range and this was complinented by the rest of the band.
BFP Northfire band took set up next. The members of this band is composed of fire officers from the BFP. I was surprised when a member approached me and asked if I remember him. Upon careful look, I realized I was talking to Jeremy, one of the accomplished drummers of Tuguegarao who is currently the drummer for the BFP Northfire. He was the drummer for the Backdoors, a punk rock band from Tuguegarao. With Jeremy on the drum kit, the band played with intensity as they covered classic RNB and Pinoy music anthems to the delight of the crowd. At bout this point we were advised told that Decemver Avenue may be delayed. We informed the bands to play additional songs in anticipation.
Next on the stage is Caelith. This band is the offshoot of the recently disbanded Strained Echoes. Hailing from Nueva Vizcaya, these guys have proved themselves to be professionals and capable musicians. They are staples of Middle Class gigs and are all around nice guys. Led by Geo Gabatin, these metalcore outfit can be considered as one of the best products of the Nueve Vizcaya music scene. Despite their being a metalcore outfit, we chose to line up the band because we believe that they are ready to play on a bigger stage and to give the audience with a different kind of performance during the night. The band played through a ferocious set composed of Linkin Park songs to the delight of the crowd who did not expect a hard rock band on the lineup. These guys are ready for more music fests.
Salumina is a reggae band from Amulung, Cagayan. They are regular mainstays of events and gigs in Cagayan because they are awesome musicians. Kantaru is a member of several local reggae bands before finally settling in with his current band. The 7 piece unit played an exciting set that got the audience moving and singing. Their setlist for the night: Panawenen, Lintik, Cool Down, Santeria, Inuman Na, Bilog na Naman ang Buwan, Kapayapaan and One Day. Kantaru was able to get the crowd going while the rest of the band provided an aural background for him. All in all a good set from one of the most professional, fun loving and nice guys in the scene.
When Taga Bandbantay walked to the stage, December Avenue was already at the venue. Our crew who assisted them during their stay at GoHotels got lost in the shortcut going to Lasam. They apparently got separated from the traffic caused by the road repairs in Gattaran. Anyway, back to the Bandbantay band. These young band was a product of a recent battle of the bands in Lasam. I don’t know much about the band but I know that they are already seasoned performers as they played Ilokano songs such as Bambantay and Turturod much to the delight of the locals. They completed their set with Multo, Whats up, Babanam, Sirena and Upuan. These college students can definitely perform if they can get their manners in check.
Now to our main band, December Avenue.
The band is composed of frontman Zel Bautista, Jem Manuel on guitars, Jet Danao on drums and Gelo Cruz on keyboards. For this event, they are joined by seasoned bassist Carissa Ramos who is also the bassist of Ely Buendia and a few other well-known bands.
They began as a college band of the well renowned UST Conservatory of Music in 2007, with the three original members, Zel, Jem, Jet and their original bassist Don Gregorio. According to Zel during one of the interludes on their performance, their name signifies moving on, with December being the last month of the year and “Avenue” meaning a new being a path to a new year, or a new direction.
Indeed, most of their songs, hugot as they are, references feelings of people on the process of moving on. Their songs being soundtracks for the ultimate catharsis after crying. Well at least that’s how I see their songs.
We have handled a few bands before but have not seen one so meticulous of their equipment. The tech team, the lighting director and everyone involved in the show looks to be well oiled machine. From the intro to the last song, every light, audio swells and song build ups and hooks were emphasized to make for a great performance.
But set aside the lights and the sound, close your eyes and digest the lyrics. That’s where the band shines. They have their formula pat down when it comes to penning songs that tugs at the Pinoy heart and penchant for sad songs. This is blues, pinoy pop style.
In this age of hugot songs, these songs are soundtracks of struggle, pain and yes heartaches an emotionally connected generation. These are songs are fit for a quiet crying session. Or, in true Pinoy style, with a drink, a microphone in one hand, singing your pains at a local videoke bar. At least that’s what we did after. Lol.
And sang the Lasam audience did. Those in attendance knew almost all the songs from the band. From “Hindi Mo na Alam”, “Bulong”, “Eroplanong Papel”, “Magkunwari”, “Saksi ang Langit”, “Kung di rin Lang Ikaw”, “Huling Sandali” and their well known hit “ Sa Ngalan ng Pag ibig”, the band allowed the audience to vent out their emotions.
On the sidelines, most of us from the Middle Class crew were amazed at how the band was able to relate to the audience.
I think this is one of the best qualities of the band, their relatability.
After their set, the band bid their farewell as they will be going back to Tuguegarao for their flight the next morning.
It was a successful event. We did not deviate from the timeslots allotted for the artists and we ended the night exactly as planned at 10pm.
On the dot.
The bands, even the local performers, were all provided with their needs such as food, accommodations, transportation and appropriate holding areas. Now that’s how you handle artists, whether famous or not.
But what really made this event awesome is the participation and support of the LGU and its employees.
The Lasam audience is lucky that their LGU, led by their 3-time Mayor Dandexter Agatep, has an ear for what their constituents like. This is to be the first of many events that they want to hold at their newly built Natalged A Lasam gym, an LGU project that is one of the best local gyms I have seen so far in terms of equipment. They are planning to host more artists in the future as they intend to make their town am event tourism destination. The Natalged a Lasam gym has its own generator, Led wall and state of the art soundsystem ready to accommodate events.
The LGU has also been quietly supporting its musicians. Under the leadership of MPDC chief Rodel Urian, the LGU has also provided a backline and soundsystem for the official LGU band, Banda ni Yodi who regularly plays every Friday at the town square. These projects are rarely seen from other LGUs and could be a template for other municipalities as an example programs that would benefit local artists and musicians.
We ended the event at about 11pm. We headed back to our accomodations with the Middle Class crew and bands.
Congratulations to Lasam LGU for such as successful event. Looking forward to another event with you! Special thanks to Mayor Dandexter Agatep, Ms. Rea Macasaddu-Simon and Mr. Rodel Urian and the whole LGU Lasam!
