I had a really nice chat the other day with an uncle of mine, Ramon “RJ” Jacinto, who interestingly told me about his musical journey through the years.
He was 11 years old then when the song “Long Tall Sally” by Little Richard sparked RJ’s love for Rock and Roll.
It all happened while waiting for a teacher one school day afternoon as he thumped on a podium throughout a song that got him hooked. And despite bleeding fingers while using a locally made guitar, he recalled how lucky he was to be caught at an age where rock and roll was “exploding.”
It was in December of 1960 where Ramon “RJ” Jacinto formed a band called `RJ and the Riots.’ RJ and his gang performed for a high school Christmas program with crude instruments and by 1961, “Gising na RJ na” was born.
“Pinoy Rock,” as Tito Ramon explained, featured hits by Sampaguita, Juan de la Cruz, Florante and Apo Hiking Society. Through the years, Tito Ramon’s love for music has been an inspiration for many and when I asked him why he loved music so much, he smiled and said, “Music puts you in a zone where everybody is your friend.”
By 1963, DZRJ was set up in the backyard of RJ’s own home where good clean fun and latest hits were played. Many years later, this same radio station became “Radyo Bandido” which broadcasted clandestinely as it was taken over by a military government with Father Reuter, June Keithley and the St. Paul nuns.
Truly, and only by God’s design, can love for music which started from a simple backyard radio station be used to save the day.