Musicians come together to save a life

Karylle was onstage singing “You’ve Got a Friend” when the INQUIRER arrived before midnight of Jan. 23 at Chef & Brewer Ortigas. The occasion: “Jam 4 Tim 2”—the second of a series of benefit shows for musician Pierre Dominguez’s 17-year-old son Tim, who’s suffering from bone cancer and badly needs 16 chemotherapy sessions to save his life.

Dominguez played drums for Hayp, the defunct pop-rock band whose other members included Noel Mendez and Cynthia Ayala. Dominguez and Mendez are still bandmates now in the group Blutith.

The audience gamely sang along when Karylle went down and passed on the mic at random. She hopped from table to table, passing one where her boyfriend, Sponge Cola frontman Yael Yuzon, was seated.

Behind Yuzon was Skarlet, the singer who’s been tirelessly involved in a number of fundraisers for musicians, including this one.

The band Take Heart, which backed up Karylle, proceeded to play more songs, notably a fine cover of “Englishman in New York.”

The INQUIRER spotted Mendez talking animatedly with singer Viktoria. A few moments later they went onstage with Dominguez, Blutith bassist Pruds Marasigan and keyboardist Nino Salazar to jam on “Every Breath You Take” and a few other numbers.

Then Skarlet thanked the guest singers and musicians who showed up and performed for free: Aicelle Santos, Yeng Constantino, Carla Martinez, Rhythm Method, Midlife Crisis, Anyo, Lazaro, Take Heart and Summer. Jim Paredes acted as host early in the evening.

To cap the successful event, Skarlet and another singer, Abby Asistio, jammed on a few more tunes. They sounded fantastic on a sprightly version of “Superstition.”

It was a fine reminder there was once an exceptional rock singer, Myra Ruaro, before she turned to jazz and assumed the name Skarlet. Pocholo Concepcion