Nelson Morales

Mike Hanopol remembers Freddie Aguilar: 'Sobrang bait'

Article (news)

Josh Mercado

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/175015019697520250617090648_image1 (5).jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Mike Hanopol (in red) at the press conference for &#x27;Jeproks The Musical.&#x27; Josh Mercado"/>Mike Hanopol (in red) at the press conference for &#x27;Jeproks The Musical.&#x27; Josh Mercado </div>MANILA -- The Pinoy rock scene would not be complete without mentioning Mike Hanopol, who dominated the music scene with the Juan de la Cruz band, and later on as a solo artist.Hanopol is from an era that characterized Pinoy rock, laying the groundwork for future generations of OPM artists. He has given performances worldwide that have moved millions of Filipinos.In response to the term &quot;legend,&quot; he told the reporters, “Kapag naiisip ko ‘yung salitang ‘yan, gusto kong himatayin. Mahirap gampanan ‘yan. Gusto ko na tahimik lang ang buhay ko. ‘Yan ang tunay na kabuhayan. Dapat payapa lang.”But despite his hit songs like &quot;Beep Beep,&quot; and &quot;Balong Malalim,&quot; popularity, and awards, the rock icon has always remained loyal to his roots and desired a private personal life.“Wala sa akin ‘yun na kailangan akong makilala, na dapat makilala ng lahat ng tao. Okay lang sa akin ‘yun. Kahit na nakapag-perform na ako sa ibang bansa, wala rin sa akin ‘yun. There’s so much about our spirit. ‘Yung spirit na ‘yan, nandito sa atin na hindi natin puwedeng i-ignore. ‘Yung spirit na ‘yan, mas mahalaga sa akin kaysa sumikat. Pero kung may pagpapahalaga, salamat,” he shared.The OPM legend admitted that being famous was not his ultimate goal, but rather singing and writing songs about people and resilience.“Choice ko ang maging musikero. Nagalit pa nga ang tatay ko,” he said.Recalling his best moments, he added, “Hindi ko alam kung sino na sa new generation ang nakatugtog na sa isang show na 1 million ang mga tao. Sa Luneta ‘yun. Labor Day. Napuno talaga.”But there was also one that failed, which he saw as part of being an artist.“Nakatugtog na rin ako na walang tao. Tumugtog ako sa Miami, Florida. Puwede akong tumugtog kahit walang tao. Sa kagaya kong musikero at composer, bihira ‘yun. Marami akong mga bihira na experiences sa buhay,” he shared.]Hanopol was also asked about his fellow OPM icon, Freddie Aguilar, who died only recently and saddened the nation.“‘Yan si Kaka, ‘yang taong ‘yan, sobrang bait, pero mag-iingat ka kasi ‘yung kabaitan niyan ay may kapalit. Pero ayaw ko nang balikan ‘yun. ‘Yung pangalawa, sobra ang pagmamahal niya. Nag-concert kami sa LA. Papunta kaming Vancouver. Naiwan ‘yung babae. Ayaw niyang tumugtog hangga’t hindi dumadating ‘yung asawa. Pero napilitan din siyang lumabas. ‘Pag labas namin, 46,000 ang tao. Punung-puno ang venue. Ang haba ng pila. Ang laki ng venue. First time ‘yun. Ganoon kalaki ang impact,” he said.Hanopol&#x27;s life story and songs will be featured in a musical &quot;Jeproks: The Musical,&quot; with show dates of November 20-23, and November 27-30 at GSIS Theater, produced by Johnny Blue of The Hammock Production Inc. and directed by Frannie Zamora, with David Ezra in the lead role.

The Pinoy rock scene would not be complete without mentioning Mike Hanopol, who dominated the music scene with the Juan de la Cruz band, and later on as a solo artist.

The Pinoy rock scene would not be complete without mentioning Mike Hanopol, who dominated the music scene with the Juan de la Cruz band, and later on as a solo artist.