AP/Most W@nted in Hong Kong (2004)

[diezynueve69]

This must be one of those Filipino community events that the Most W@nted band (AP shared lead vocals with a female singer then) would grace during days off from their regular gigs at The Tavern Club in Hong Kong:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fi6HFEt6fUU

[The Sushi Hunter]

That's pretty cool, the time in Arnel's life that I had never seen before. I never seen him and the other original AMO Band members (except for Uly) during that time. I never was in contact with Arnel during the Most W@nted years, so it's interesting for me to watch it.

I like that the keyboard player is Elmer. So this was probably a time when most of the original AMO Band members were playing together in the same band.

[neoaquino]

Been itching to ask this, what ever happened to Amo, why did Arnel leave and what's up with the Tunay na Amo band, reminds me of the real milli vanilli , are these guys affiliated to Amo, just asking

[annie89509]

Wow, I like that era of Arnel. His hair was shorter, physique more stocky, and he did swagger around (not at all like singing in the staid club environment of immediate pre-Journey days). Quite the hottie in that video.

[The Sushi Hunter]

Been itching to ask this, what ever happened to Amo, why did Arnel leave and what's up with the Tunay na Amo band, reminds me of the real milli vanilli , are these guys affiliated to Amo, just asking

Arnel didn't just leave. Basically the band quit Uly, and then went on without him. The AMO Band members were very close and had very strong relationship together. Uly wanted to kick out one member for his reasons, the rest of the band didn't like that so they all left Uly basically. When this happened, AMO Band was no more. This happened during the time I was involved and around them, so I knew personally what was going on. I was very close with all of them, including Uly. They inspired me to be as good as I possibly could and I always idolized each of them for their gifted talents. So of course when I was with Uly during that time, I played it off as though I really didn't know what was going on with the situation.

Uly's last name is Ablang. AMO began with three members, Uly being one of them. Uly claims that AMO was the first letters of each of the founding member's last names. AMO also means "Boss" as I recall correctly. During this time, they did folk music only and it was all acoustic guitars/strings. This was before Arnel was even a member of the band. This was in the early 80's before the band added more members and by the later 80's entering into the Top 40 mainstream.

I wasn't around and involved with them back then when it was just Uly and two others playing folk music, I'm just going by what Uly himself had told me was the history of the name and band.

[Jana]

Sushi Hunter, thanks for all the background and history on the band. Very interesting. I didn't realize your involvement with them.

If that video was 2004, that means Arnel was 36 or 37. He looks so young. He has the best smile. It must be surreal for his old bandmates to see him singing with Journey. Well, actually, it must be surreal for Arnel.






"Arnel makes me a better guy just knowing him" - Jonathan Cain

[neoaquino]

Been itching to ask this, what ever happened to Amo, why did Arnel leave and what's up with the Tunay na Amo band, reminds me of the real milli vanilli , are these guys affiliated to Amo, just asking

Arnel didn't just leave. Basically the band quit Uly, and then went on without him. The AMO Band members were very close and had very strong relationship together. Uly wanted to kick out one member for his reasons, the rest of the band didn't like that so they all left Uly basically. When this happened, AMO Band was no more. This happened during the time I was involved and around them, so I knew personally what was going on. I was very close with all of them, including Uly. They inspired me to be as good as I possibly could and I always idolized each of them for their gifted talents. So of course when I was with Uly during that time, I played it off as though I really didn't know what was going on with the situation.

Uly's last name is Ablang. AMO began with three members, Uly being one of them. Uly claims that AMO was the first letters of each of the founding member's last names. AMO also means "Boss" as I recall correctly. During this time, they did folk music only and it was all acoustic guitars/strings. This was before Arnel was even a member of the band. This was in the early 80's before the band added more members and by the later 80's entering into the Top 40 mainstream.

I wasn't around and involved with them back then when it was just Uly and two others playing folk music, I'm just going by what Uly himself had told me was the history of the name and band.

Thanks for this info Sushi Hunter, do you know Don Morrey, i think that's there band manager coz he was a close friend of mine. He use to talk to me about the band's heydays. I apologize for the OT

[The Sushi Hunter]

Been itching to ask this, what ever happened to Amo, why did Arnel leave and what's up with the Tunay na Amo band, reminds me of the real milli vanilli , are these guys affiliated to Amo, just asking

Arnel didn't just leave. Basically the band quit Uly, and then went on without him. The AMO Band members were very close and had very strong relationship together. Uly wanted to kick out one member for his reasons, the rest of the band didn't like that so they all left Uly basically. When this happened, AMO Band was no more. This happened during the time I was involved and around them, so I knew personally what was going on. I was very close with all of them, including Uly. They inspired me to be as good as I possibly could and I always idolized each of them for their gifted talents. So of course when I was with Uly during that time, I played it off as though I really didn't know what was going on with the situation.

Uly's last name is Ablang. AMO began with three members, Uly being one of them. Uly claims that AMO was the first letters of each of the founding member's last names. AMO also means "Boss" as I recall correctly. During this time, they did folk music only and it was all acoustic guitars/strings. This was before Arnel was even a member of the band. This was in the early 80's before the band added more members and by the later 80's entering into the Top 40 mainstream.

I wasn't around and involved with them back then when it was just Uly and two others playing folk music, I'm just going by what Uly himself had told me was the history of the name and band.

Thanks for this info Sushi Hunter, do you know Don Morrey, i think that's there band manager coz he was a close friend of mine. He use to talk to me about the band's heydays. I apologize for the OT

Not sure, is Don Morrey an older bald white guy? I may know who he is cause I met a guy by the name of Don who used to drive me up to Manila a few times to Uly's house in the very beginning. He knew Tagalog really good, he'd always stop off near San Miguel right on the freeway where they have the only three watermellon stands, and pick up a watermellon to bring to Uly every time he'd see him at his house. Uly would take the watermellon and make an awesome refreshing drink out of it mixed with water and crushed ice. I'll never forget that drink. This was in the very beginning when I first became friends and involved with the AMO Band. Wow, that was years ago man! Had to be late 86' early 87'. I'm pretty sure Don is the same guy who I'm talking about.

[etcetera]

Been itching to ask this, what ever happened to Amo, why did Arnel leave and what's up with the Tunay na Amo band, reminds me of the real milli vanilli , are these guys affiliated to Amo, just asking

An excerpt from the Sharon Cuneta interview:

AP: ...That's where I auditioned--he made me audition, because he was friends with this band called Ijos. That's where I got my start.

SC: How many bands and places did you perform with/at? For how many years?

AP: Actually, I stayed with just one band. We just evolved, going through different names. From Ijos, we became the Amo band, until we became New Age, until we made it to HongKong...

SC: That's what many don't know, that you'd worked abroad, not just in the Philippines.

AP: Yes... until 2004 came, when I and Monet (Cajipe), who Iwould play with in Zoo, ...we decided it was about time for our long-overdue dream to cut a rock album.

[wildcat75]

Sushi Hunter, thanks for all the background and history on the band. Very interesting. I didn't realize your involvement with them.

If that video was 2004, that means Arnel was 36 or 37. He looks so young. He has the best smile. It must be surreal for his old bandmates to see him singing for Journey. Well, actually, it must be surreal for Arnel.

Jana, that's what i like here in HK, you can always see a free concert ,courtesy of Filipino community or chinese community w/ filipino entertainers who was invited in an outdoor venue, maybe you will wondering why it's a free concert, well, i guess those who sponsoring the event are the one who pay the entertainners to promote their ADVERTISEMENT OR THEIR PROGRAMS.,. so Arnel really loved to jump on stage, i think what he really needs is a big stage so he can do like what he did on Journey concert. Actually there's another concert that i want to watch here on Nov 11 " A CONCERT IN THE PARK' , goes to HKCC PIAZZA.(HK cultural center)Their theme is 'MAKING MUSIC W/ INTERNATIONAL FLAVOR). courtesy by HK-FILIPINO MUSICIAN UNION., perform by all different filipino bands such as Los Sacrmentos Acoustic Band, The Lost Boyz Band ,Geed's Harmony Band Adam Eve's Band, Buzz,, Advent Call and The Dream Girls Band, hosted by Filipino - HK based Stan and EJ, i think Sushi Hunter knew this bands. i just hope that my digitalcamera work this time so i could record the event and i could post it on AP' site or here on MR.






"Arnel makes me a better guy just knowing him" - Jonathan Cain

[The Sushi Hunter]

Been itching to ask this, what ever happened to Amo, why did Arnel leave and what's up with the Tunay na Amo band, reminds me of the real milli vanilli , are these guys affiliated to Amo, just asking

An excerpt from the Sharon Cuneta interview:

AP: ...That's where I auditioned--he made me audition, because he was friends with this band called Ijos. That's where I got my start.

SC: How many bands and places did you perform with/at? For how many years?

AP: Actually, I stayed with just one band. We just evolved, going through different names. From Ijos, we became the Amo band, until we became New Age, until we made it to HongKong...

SC: That's what many don't know, that you'd worked abroad, not just in the Philippines.

AP: Yes... until 2004 came, when I and Monet (Cajipe), who Iwould play with in Zoo, ...we decided it was about time for our long-overdue dream to cut a rock album.

Like I say, I'm just going by what Uly told me was the history before I was involved with them. Whatever they were before late 86', is beyond me.

The only member of the original AMO Band who I have not been able to get back in touch with since Arnel became the singer for Journey, is Uly. If Uly was around, I'm sure he'd have some additional information about it. At this point, I have to believe Uly, because remember in another story, a guy had paid AMO band to have Arnel sing with them. Also, when Arnel and the others quit Uly, they could no longer use the AMO Band name, because the name AMO was Uly's.

This week when I go to Japan for a month, I'm seriously considering flying over to the Philippines for a few days during my trip to try and locate Uly. I know where his father and brothers lives in Ilocos. Arnel has told me that Uly is still alive, so I would like to see him again. If Uly came forward, I'm sure he'd be able to explain the orgins of the AMO Band name and history. I'm able to bury the hatchet, I long for the day everyone can also. I can completely understand why band members have falling outs. Like when Neal mentions the issues with SP. The reasons band members have such issues is because when people get together as one and do music, it's as close as intimate as you can almost get without being physical. So when things go wrong within the group, people feel betrayed, used, what have you. I know how this is cause I had experienced the exact thing with Uly. Friction and tensions run extremely high in these situations. That's why it happens with band members sometimes. Some years ago I was very pissed off at Uly, Uly was very pissed off at me. But like Neal with SP, I too think that life's way too short to continue to be pissed off anymore.

[neoaquino]

Been itching to ask this, what ever happened to Amo, why did Arnel leave and what's up with the Tunay na Amo band, reminds me of the real milli vanilli , are these guys affiliated to Amo, just asking

Arnel didn't just leave. Basically the band quit Uly, and then went on without him. The AMO Band members were very close and had very strong relationship together. Uly wanted to kick out one member for his reasons, the rest of the band didn't like that so they all left Uly basically. When this happened, AMO Band was no more. This happened during the time I was involved and around them, so I knew personally what was going on. I was very close with all of them, including Uly. They inspired me to be as good as I possibly could and I always idolized each of them for their gifted talents. So of course when I was with Uly during that time, I played it off as though I really didn't know what was going on with the situation.

Uly's last name is Ablang. AMO began with three members, Uly being one of them. Uly claims that AMO was the first letters of each of the founding member's last names. AMO also means "Boss" as I recall correctly. During this time, they did folk music only and it was all acoustic guitars/strings. This was before Arnel was even a member of the band. This was in the early 80's before the band added more members and by the later 80's entering into the Top 40 mainstream.

I wasn't around and involved with them back then when it was just Uly and two others playing folk music, I'm just going by what Uly himself had told me was the history of the name and band.

Thanks for this info Sushi Hunter, do you know Don Morrey, i think that's there band manager coz he was a close friend of mine. He use to talk to me about the band's heydays. I apologize for the OT

Not sure, is Don Morrey an older bald white guy? I may know who he is cause I met a guy by the name of Don who used to drive me up to Manila a few times to Uly's house in the very beginning. He knew Tagalog really good, he'd always stop off near San Miguel right on the freeway where they have the only three watermellon stands, and pick up a watermellon to bring to Uly every time he'd see him at his house. Uly would take the watermellon and make an awesome refreshing drink out of it mixed with water and crushed ice. I'll never forget that drink. This was in the very beginning when I first became friends and involved with the AMO Band. Wow, that was years ago man! Had to be late 86' early 87'. I'm pretty sure Don is the same guy who I'm talking about.

yup that's him, sorry to tell you that he was murdered i think 2 or 3 years ago, I just discovered later this year. story was kinda vague but he was killed in the states, maybe we can just discussed this on email or chat for the details. he was a nice guy and a friend to me

[The Sushi Hunter]

That's really sad, you can pm me the details or the news links, whatever you got. I really wasn't friends with him, I just remember him driving me up to Manila to Uly's house a few times in the 80's. Seemed like a very nice guy though. Very friendly. Back then I was barely 20 and so I was always just very quiet and shy, and just sat there listening to him talk. He'd talk with me about AMO Band and Uly the entire two hours drive up to Uly's.

[neoaquino]

Been itching to ask this, what ever happened to Amo, why did Arnel leave and what's up with the Tunay na Amo band, reminds me of the real milli vanilli , are these guys affiliated to Amo, just asking

An excerpt from the Sharon Cuneta interview:

AP: ...That's where I auditioned--he made me audition, because he was friends with this band called Ijos. That's where I got my start.

SC: How many bands and places did you perform with/at? For how many years?

AP: Actually, I stayed with just one band. We just evolved, going through different names. From Ijos, we became the Amo band, until we became New Age, until we made it to HongKong...

SC: That's what many don't know, that you'd worked abroad, not just in the Philippines.

AP: Yes... until 2004 came, when I and Monet (Cajipe), who Iwould play with in Zoo, ...we decided it was about time for our long-overdue dream to cut a rock album.

ok if it evolved who are these guys? there carrying the name amo without arnel or this is a different band with the same name

[The Sushi Hunter]

Been itching to ask this, what ever happened to Amo, why did Arnel leave and what's up with the Tunay na Amo band, reminds me of the real milli vanilli , are these guys affiliated to Amo, just asking

An excerpt from the Sharon Cuneta interview:

AP: ...That's where I auditioned--he made me audition, because he was friends with this band called Ijos. That's where I got my start.

SC: How many bands and places did you perform with/at? For how many years?

AP: Actually, I stayed with just one band. We just evolved, going through different names. From Ijos, we became the Amo band, until we became New Age, until we made it to HongKong...

SC: That's what many don't know, that you'd worked abroad, not just in the Philippines.

AP: Yes... until 2004 came, when I and Monet (Cajipe), who Iwould play with in Zoo, ...we decided it was about time for our long-overdue dream to cut a rock album.

ok if it evolved who are these guys? there carrying the name amo without arnel or this is a different band with the same name

That I'm sure was the band after Arnel and the rest of the members split from Uly. I recognize Joey who in the photo is directly below Uly. Lito is opposite side from Uly. Lito and Uly are brothers. Lito was the drummer in the AMO Band that featured Arnel (reference AMO Band doing "Without You" with Regina on Youtube). Right off the top of my head I'm not sure who the other guys in the photo are. When Amo Band had the big shakedown (when Arnel and the others left Uly), I at that time then returned to the U.S. for two and a half years, before returning back to the Philippines to start a new band project with Uly. So this pix was taken during those two and a half years I was in the U.S. before I had gone back.

[neoaquino]

That I'm sure was the band after Arnel and the rest of the members split from Uly. I recognize Joey who in the photo is directly below Uly. Lito is opposite side from Uly. Lito and Uly are brothers. Right off the top of my head I'm not sure who the other guys in the photo are.

ok, so you where part of that band. Tunay na amo music has that milli vanilli vibe into it http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMt39liqYoE this was very popular during my college years

[The Sushi Hunter]

That I'm sure was the band after Arnel and the rest of the members split from Uly. I recognize Joey who in the photo is directly below Uly. Lito is opposite side from Uly. Lito and Uly are brothers. Right off the top of my head I'm not sure who the other guys in the photo are.

ok, so you where part of that band. Tunay na amo music has that milli vanilli vibe into it http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMt39liqYoE this was very popular during my college years

No, I wasn't part of that particular band at all. I was around before and after it though, when Arnel and the rest of the members of that era was with Uly in AMO and then part of Uly's project in the mid 90's.

[etcetera]

Like I say, I'm just going by what Uly told me was the history before I was involved with them. Whatever they were before late 86', is beyond me.

The only member of the original AMO Band who I have not been able to get back in touch with since Arnel became the singer for Journey, is Uly. If Uly was around, I'm sure he'd have some additional information about it. At this point, I have to believe Uly, because remember in another story, a guy had paid AMO band to have Arnel sing with them. Also, when Arnel and the others quit Uly, they could no longer use the AMO Band name, because the name AMO was Uly's.

This week when I go to Japan for a month, I'm seriously considering flying over to the Philippines for a few days during my trip to try and locate Uly. I know where his father and brothers lives in Ilocos. Arnel has told me that Uly is still alive, so I would like to see him again. If Uly came forward, I'm sure he'd be able to explain the orgins of the AMO Band name and history. I'm able to bury the hatchet, I long for the day everyone can also.

Didn't mean to refute your (Uly's) statement. From an overall perspective, Uly's and AP's individual accounts seem to be complementary.

[The Sushi Hunter]

I just wish that I could get in touch with Uly again and rediscuss all of this. I recall clearly what he had said in regards to it. But perhaps he's not 100% accurate on it. I know that there were lots of bad feelings back then in regards to the whole history and stuff, perhaps he said things that were not 100%. I don't know, cause that part of the story was before I knew any of them. I only met them for the first time and came into the picture starting in late 86'.

[diezynueve69]

Been itching to ask this, what ever happened to Amo, why did Arnel leave and what's up with the Tunay na Amo band, reminds me of the real milli vanilli , are these guys affiliated to Amo, just asking

I think Ang Tunay na AMO ("The Real Master") wasn't a band but rather AMO's one-and-only album. It was unfortunately released (under BMG Records) after this split (AP & co. had moved on as the New Age band by then):

Arnel didn't just leave. Basically the band quit Uly, and then went on without him. The AMO Band members were very close and had very strong relationship together. Uly wanted to kick out one member for his reasons, the rest of the band didn't like that so they all left Uly basically. When this happened, AMO Band was no more.

[aliaslen]

wow, never thought he's already doing this jump way back before Neal spotted him in YT.