Circus Band & New Minstrels: A powerful new combination

Possibly the biggest gathering of singing stars from the ’70s will exhibit their drawing power come Sept. 20 at the Plenary Hall of the PICC on Roxas Boulevard. Composed of a combination of The Circus Band (five) and The New Minstrels (six), they say they were originally competitors going after the same audience in the past. We don’t know who or what gave them the idea they would be more effective together. Today, however, it is Viva big boss Vic del Rosario, who is making the best use of the concept.

We attend rehearsals at Midas Touch Hotel and find the group enjoying a brief tete-a-tete before the Q&A and on to rehearsals. It is wonderful watching professionals get together. They are the kind we keep wishing to come across once more in the younger generation. Not that we haven’t met quite a few. But we wish there were more of them.

When queried if these veterans don’t get tired of singing their old songs, they admit wishing for a change at times, but in general are happy at the multitude who still appreciate their songs. Pat Castillo, from Circus, says there was a time she didn’t enjoy singing her old classics, but now finds it more fun than before. Jacqui Magno also with Circus notes that non-stop offers came after the first Circus Minstrels show at Music Museum in February this year with eight members participating. The lovely Joey Albert of the New Minstrels adds she feels privileged to belong to something “bigger than myself” and to give thanks for that, something Chad Borja, also a Minstrel, shares. Minstrel Louie Reyes tells us that these younger members of the group are both cancer survivors enjoying a renewed life. Both have been zealous in following their diets and instructions from the doctors.

The reunion on Sept. 20 at Plenary Hall adds Hajji Alejandro, Basil Valdez and Tillie Moreno to the group. Basil Valdez of the Circus Band, identified with George Canseco songs, views it as giving honor to others. One of the more senior in the group, we notice lately a great change in him. From the quiet, almost unfriendly individual, he has metamorphosed into one who has discovered the virtues of having fun. He even shares a tidbit that surprised others, that of auditioning for the Minstrels and getting turned down!

Hajji, another Circus Band member, is the original Kilabot ng Kolehiyala whose reputation with women he carried over to his personal life. He was in his element at rehearsals, joking around and taking advantage of the overall carefree atmosphere. Doubtless, however, no one forgets Hajji has also produced the hits Panakip Butas, Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika and Nakapatataka which he confesses, “mas feel ko na ngayon kantahin.”

Tillie Moreno shares with us an itinerant life, with love for music at its core. She sang with the Circus Band way back in the ’70s, recorded a single for a Philam producer at a recording studio and accepted his invitation to try her luck in LA. The record deal didn’t work out that well, but Tillie met the man who is her husband today and stayed there 14 years, singing with her own band. She would come home occasionally, even did stints at Calesa Bar when her husband who is in construction got a job there. She also joined Basil and Hajji in a group called Lovelife. In 1978 to 1979, Wea put Louie together with Ray-An Fuentes with Umagang Kay Ganda and we all know what a monster hit that was.

Then it was back to the US in Nebraska, then Chicago for 10 years, then Florida and Nebraska again for seven years. In early 2000, returning to the Philippines she joined Eugene Villaluz, Ding Mercado, Louie Reyes, Pat Castillo, and Hajji for a two-night concert at the Music Museum titled ’70s Today. This became the basis for the reunion concert of the Minstrels-Circus band on Saturday, Sept. 20, at the PICC. 

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