02/10/2018
"Old bars never die, they just close permanently." or so the line goes.
We regret to inform you all that Old Baguio Boys, known to friends and loved ones simply as "OBB", passed over into the spirit world on September 15th, 2018. After a long battle with ever-rising costs, taxi fares, sili fees, yosi prices, and liquor markups, OBB finally succumbed one September day, joining its spiritual parents Brewyard and Ayuyang in bar-heaven.
It is survived by its staff, Edwin and Ray. As well as its management of Jason, Paul, Paul, Jojo, and Vince.
We admit that when we first received word that OBB would not make it, we were deeply saddened. It had lived for 4 glorious human years, which in bar-years is the rough equivalent of... 4 years. Regardless, it was a full life, and a roller coaster of an adventure which we all shared inside and outside of the bar.
For this, we would like to thank the following individuals for helping us stay alive as long as we did:
Edwin Gaqui Pacing and Renato Ayam for being the true MVPs of this journey. Trustworthy, hardworking staff that every bar would kill to have, we have been blessed that you both shared your skills and talents with us.
Edgardo Nevada for allowing us a home in the famed Nevada Square.
SLU Boys High, and SLU Boys High Batch 83, and OchoTres Cares for planting and supporting the seeds that would eventually grow to become OBB today.
To our house musicians, Joo Nh Baguilat, Ivan Saley, Robert "Pusong Kalbo" Mendoza, Mart Simpson, Daniel Ross, Linton Kayong Penchog, Randy Apilis, Erin Hyja Fabrigas, Enzo Marzo, and Victor Aladin, our utmost thanks to all of you. How we wish we could keep this gig going, if only to keep the music playing. You all made hanging out at the bar worth it. We thank you for playing great when the bar was full, and even when there was no one to play to but Edwin and the paintings on the wall.
To William Calatan Jr. for providing us with a drumset, sound system and endless moral support.
To Gd Blanco for creating our logo.
To Paul Abiva, Trish Odulio for creating drawings for promos.
To Tony Bawingan for curating our youtube playlists.
To Katrine Orense for writing the menu on the giant blackboard. and to Marchane Perez for MAKING THE BLACKBOARD.
To Yanshiel Buhay for changing our color scheme to orange (and fixing our walls.)
To Von Domingo for tech support and all things wiring.
To Guy Mesina for being the OG manager
To Randy John Marrero for being the latter manager
To Bogs Begna Ngina for being the one-month manager
To Ma Elizabeth Calalo for organizing art exhibits for the first few years and Jo-anne Bray Evangelista Siadto for assisting exhibit organizing afterwards, (and for the beautiful signages on our restrooms.) To Architect Jhay Baga, Bhong Alonzo, and the rest of the darters, for making perfect use of our dartboards. To the Baguio Apaches, and JCI Organization. To Mylene Timbol for keeping the bar clean, and for the regulars who made sure there was something to clean the next day.
To the many organizers, bands, and regulars that graced our stage, and shared their talents upon it.
Reniecarla Pinmiliw and Herbtribe Productions for the countless benefit concerts, (may all the goodness you have shared return tenfold!) Nil NonSkid and company, Jethro Sandico and company, Resen Carbonell, Jordan H. Writes for organizing months of spoken word poetry. Ferlyn Grace Diaz Lausa and the rest of City High SSC 2009. Job Vezh and company, Shan Sumeg-Ang Tabskii Garcia and company, Mac Castelo, Katt Torres and company, Jarlaw Virgino and company, BGH Nurses and Sumo Tuazon. SLU College of Medicine, Rein Munsayac, Summer Bastian, Sanjay Gonsalves, Jr Lardizabal and company, Iboy Ajero Abad, Rohan Rimando, To other manong friend bands Grupong Daluyon, Ibarra, Rough N' Ready, BOT, Ube Music, Dizzy Spectrum, Blues Rascals, and countless other bands, thank you.
Having OBB was a childhood dream realized—that eventually merged with the reality that no matter how easy TV shows make it seem, keeping a bar open for years is hard work. And in life, like for any situation where things do not go the way we plan, we can choose to process moments like these with tears, bitter resentment and acrimony—or with tears, jokes, and lessons for the next project beyond.
We choose the latter. (Because we don't fully understand what 'acrimony' means)
And of course, to the countless others not mentioned here, who have dropped by, shared a drink, laughed at our menu, sang along, clogged our urinal, got annoyed that we had a ticketed event and you did not know about it, and trusted us enough to spend your hard-earned Saturday night here, we raise our glasses to you all!
Perhaps one day, we will re-open. But not yet.
*cue dramatic music swell here*
Until next time!
- Jason, on behalf of Paul, Paul, Jojo, Vince, Edwin and Ray.
