Beatlemania lives on at Merk’s

For those who are always on the hunt for a place to spend some wholesome moments of leisure, actor-singer Richard Merk has put up a place just for you, that is, if your idea of leisure moments is having fun singing together with live bands belting music that range from the modern to the retro.

My good friend Danny Isla, top marketing honcho of Toyota Motor Philippines, called the other week to tell me that there’s a cozy place in Greenbelt Makati that was having a "Beatles Night". I wasn’t surprised about Danny’s eagerness. We wouldn’t call him "Sir John" after late Beatle John Lennon for nothing. He also added that another media peer, well-known columnist of the Inquirer, Al "Sir Paul" Mendoza (after you know who), another Beatle fanatic, would definitely be there. Although these guys have always associated me with "The Pelvis", it’s no secret to them that I love many of the Beatle songs, especially the earlier ones before the "Fab Four" went to psychedelic-type songs.

So it was Merk’s Bar where I went together with the "commander" as Danny made a last minute call saying that "Don Al" would be coming with his "misis" and urging us to bring ours. The place was literally filled to the rafters making us difficult to see the group’s table and more difficult to get to it. But it was worth all the squeezing in between tables and the hundreds of "excuse me" as the "Dynasouls" started to belt all the familiar Beatle hits bringing back all the fond memories of college days.

I wasn’t surprised to see on our table another media peer and good friend Ding Marcelo, sports editor of the Bulletin, nodding his head in cadence with the unmistakable beat of the "Mopheads" but wait a minute, there was also Brian Afuang, top-notched motoring writer of the Philippine Star and Manila Times motoring editor Vernon Sarne, fellow founding members of the Society of Philippine Motoring Journalists together with "trivia king" Bong Barameda stomping their feet with the beat. And I know they weren’t even in high school when John, Paul, George and Ringo reigned supreme in the music world and the youth cult. Well, that only goes to prove again the universal appeal of the unforgettable group’s music.

It was indeed an evening of music to remember, after all Al had a mini concert of Beatle songs together with the band and Danny himself obliged as I dodged the prodding of gracious host cum emcee Richard Merk for me to sing an Elvis hit. Seeing that there were a lot of eager faces while I was up on the stage after realizing that there was already no way out for me, I just opted to call on who was "kantang-kanta na" to take my place in straining the vocal chords–close shave.

And to add credence to the place being a real swinging haven, there was also this young American lady, a call center executive who comes and goes to supervise local operations in the country, who really seemed to have the time of her life jamming with the game band. For her age, again, her knowledge of the lyrics of the Beatles songs was indeed surprising. A short chat with her confirmed she was having a grand time and she’ll make it a point to come to Merk’s every time she’s in the country.

Over fine wine and delicious "pika-pika", Richard confided that retro music indeed brings in the crowd at "Merk’s" and a regular "Beatles Night" was in the offing and, why not, also an "Elvis Night".

ARESCOM Also For Civilian Medical Concerns

Five hundred-forty residents of Trece Martirez City and nearby localities were very thankful beneficiaries of a recently held Joint Medical and Dental Civic Action by the Army Reserve Command (ARESCOM) and its local government. Of these, 317 were medical patients treated for various common illnesses while 223 were dental patients who mostly came for tooth extraction. Aside from the free consultation, the less fortunate constituents also went home with free medicine.

Dentists from Fort Bonifacio, Makati City together with Reservist dentists from Cavite and the ARESCOM joined by doctors coming from the ARESCOM and the City Health Office of Trece Martirez City made sure that the joint activity held last March 6 was a huge success.

The humanitarian efforts were part of the series of activities of the ARESCOM leading to the commemoration of the 107th Philippine Army Day held last March 22.

ARESCOM officials however disclosed that plans for more activities of this nature are afoot to assure the populace of the Army’s continuing commitment to look after all the concerns and needs of civilians not only in terms of security but in other aspects of daily life as well.

Mabuhay!!! Be proud to be a Filipino.

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