MANILA, Philippines - Tomorrow night after Saksi, GMA 7’s I-Witness features One of the most prolific bands during the ’70s, Maria Cafra. The band spread its wings and made history as one of the frontrunners of Pinoy Rock alongside legends like the Juan dela Cruz Band.
Kumusta Kaibigan, Buhay Gapo and Exodus are only some of the many songs that Resty Fabunan, Jun Fabunan and Rolly Averilla made famous.
Resty, the band’s composer and lead guitarist, recalls that guys were forbidden to wear their hair long during Martial Law. That meant the Maria Cafra members had to avoid the authorities while hopping from gig to gig. The trio claimed they only had only rock ’n roll, never drugs, to sustain them during those tough times.
Then, Maria Cafra suddenly disbanded. The members moved on with their lives not looking back.
After three decades, the band is slowly easing its way back into the music scene. But the original trio is no more. Dennis has taken his father Jun’s place as bassist. Jun died while performing in a gig almost a decade ago.