A chat with Parokya ni Edgar's Din Din Moreno

Back in the mid-90’s, I dabbled as a Label and A&R (artist and repertoire) Manager for Universal/Polycosmic Records. At that time I was a habitué of the old Club Dredd along EDSA (there was also incentive coz my brother John, who left ADMU to take up Fine Arts in State U, and his band Usok, one of the first to win one of those Battle of the Bands competitions, played there as well). There were a number of bands that I really liked back then and since we failed to sign the Eraserheads, Color It Red, Tropical Depression (featuring Papadom who was two years ahead of me in Ateneo), and Teeth because get this - they thought they weren't good enough -- I literally begged management to let me sign up some bands. At that point all I was handling were jazz and classical labels and they reluctantly allowed me. INTERLUDE: What music was popular then? Juliana Hatfield’s "My Sister," Deadeye Dick’s “New Age Girl,” Frank Black who left the Pixies, REM had “Shiny Happy People,” Green Day as broke into the mainstream with “When I Come Around,” Paul Weller who released his albums Wild Wood and More Wild Wood, Oasis was coming up with their debut Definitely Maybe, the Red Hot Chili Peppers played in Woodstock II, and I got into the punk band Rancid with their third release And Out Come the Wolves.

Anyways, one band that I really liked and thought had the potential to evolve from mere novelty act/club fave was Parokya ni Edgar. They were already legends in the Ateneo high school then. Some were shocked that I was willing to give them a try --- hahaha naunahan ko lang kayo – but in hindsight it was a no-brainer. Their manager then was an old school chum, Ricky Santillan, who was then with Saatchi (where are you now, bud?) and Dredd was managed by a trio of Ateneans including an old classmate in Patrick Reidenbach, Rob Sunico, and Apa Ongpin. I became friends with a number of them and remained in touch with them through the years even when I left the industry for advertising.

Here’s a short chat with Din Din Moreno:

Rick: Seeing that picture of the Ateneans in Parokya on the floor during halftime of a very big game, tell us how that came about? Who contacted whom? Was that a huge thrill? As I understand, you were introduced as "the Grade School Blue Babble Battalion."
Din: It was Mico Halili who contacted me to join the Babble for that particular game. I was actually flattered since that honor was usually reserved for distinguished Ateneans like Raul Manglapus, Dick Gordon, etc. But, it wasn't actually our first time since I was part of the Blue Babble Band in High School while Chito (Miranda) and Vinci (Montaner) were with the Blue Babble Battalion. It was Gab's (Chee Kee) first experience with the Babble, so I suppose it was nerve wracking for him. If I clearly remember, the Grade School Blue Babble Battalion also joined us. I don't remember though if the announcer also introduced us.

Rick: How often do you go to the games? What if you're out of town or out of
the country -- does anyone keep you informed about the game results? Does an
Ateneo win or loss have an effect on your performances?
Din: As long as my schedule permits, I go to the games. Usually during weekends, I'm out of town due to the nature of my work. So no choice but to watch the games on TV.
During our US Tour last October-November, I subscribed to ABS-CBN Now! which made me watch the games live and on-demand as long as I had broadband connection. For $5 a month, I was able to catch the 2nd round and final four while I was in the US.
And when I really don't have access to a TV or internet connection, I usually text my brother or friends for updates.

When Ateneo loses, it's usually the start of a bad day for me. Especially when they lose to lower seeded teams, crucial games, or to La Salle. Since one of my bandmates is a La Sallian, he's the one who usually teases me about Ateneo's loss.

Rick: Do you keep up with the Blue Eagles in the PBA? Do you have a favorite
pro team -- PBA/NBA?
Din: Whenever I read the sports section of the newspapers, I usually check out the PBA box scores and see how the former Blue Eagles are performing. I also text to congratulate Wesley Gonzales when he scores big because he's a friend of mine.

Honestly, I used to be a big fan of the PBA. I used to watch the games live. But, for me, the PBA has lost it's appeal. Maybe they should bring back the Big J to make more fans' interest return. Ever since, I have been rooting for Ginebra. Especially during the times of Jaworski (Robert & Dudut), Dondon Ampalayo, Dante Gonzalgo, Philip Cezar, Ed Ducut, Romulo Mamaril, Rudy Distrito, Mukesh Advani, Vince Hizon, Jayvee Gayoso, Billy Ray Bates, Michael Hackett, Carlos Briggs, & Jumping Joe Ward.

And... I'm also a Los Angeles Lakers fan since birth...

Rick: Didn't your wife go to La Salle? Does she rib you about the results?
Din: Nope... She knows I'm always in a bad mood every time Ateneo loses. So she doesn't rub it in. She actually went to Ateneo de Davao for Grade School. So I consider her being part-Atenean too...

Rick: What's up with Parokya now? You have a new album out. Did you ever figure you'd last this long? Any upcoming gigs in Ateneo?
Din: We do have a new album out. Our 10th, entitled "Solid". It's actually a reflection of our friendship and dedication to what we are doing. We never thought we would last this long. We have been in the business since 1994, so we consider ourselves to be the old guys of the band scene now. No plans on doing Ateneo for this year though... We hope we would, since we always have fun every time we play there.

Rick: Ayt, bro. Good luck with the new album and see ya in the pit soon.



This photo was taken on the day Universal signed Parokya ni Edgar. That's Ricky Santillan beside the late-Bella Tan seated at the table. I'm wearing the tee of World Youth Day featuring local alt-act the Youth and the late-Pope John Paul II. Jeez, we were that young then? Aww!