Job Lowill Calumpang Benuya: Sings the Blues and Rocks with Country Music Like No Other
Posted on Sunday, 12 February 2017
JOB LOWILL
CALUMPANG BENUYA: Sings the Blues
and Rocks with Country Music Like No Other
By Apolinario Villalobos
I first met Job when I was checking in for
my flight back to Manila many years back when he was yet with Philippine
Airlines that he joined on May 26, 1988. Unfortunately, when the airline
underwent a spin-off in December 1, 2015, he was among those who reluctantly
accepted the offered package.
I did not know then, that he is a
multi-talented singer as his voice range covers country/folk, blues, rock and
roll, aside from deftly playing the acoustic guitar. I first got the
information about him from a friend who told me that there’s a PALer who
performs at the Outback Grill. I forgot all about it until a PAL employee at
the Davao airport confirmed the information, adding that it is Job, so I
googled his name and true enough, his facebook is filled with photo showing him
during animated performances and with his band. I was thrilled as I was also a
folk singer during my early years in Manila to earn extra, a job on the side
which my boss in PAL did not know. Compared to Job, however, my skill pales to
his versatility.
Twice, I tried to connect with him while I
was in Davao but failed due to his hectic schedule. I had no idea about the
schedule of hi gigs so that I was at a loss as to where to find him. What I did
was ask friends in Davao if they are familiar with him and aside from saying
yes, they even added the information about his kerchief-covered head which they
added, could be his distinct statement. And, they told me that he, indeed, is a
singer.
With those confirmations, I decided to go
ahead with this blog and just catch up with his live performance at any of the
venues, after which I would write another one. Luck was with me when finally,
we got connected and he agreed to send me the latest information about his
gigs. I want to make sure where to find him, as soon as I got time for an
overnight stay in Davao the next time I fly south.
So, here folks, is his schedule: Monday –
Reggae Grill (Torres St.); Tuesday –
Outback Grill; Wednesday – Barukan Grill (Ma-a); Saturday – Uptown Grill
(Cabantian); Sunday – Comus Grill (Mamay Road). Although, he performs solo,
sometimes he plays with his band, JOVI AND THE COWBOYS, especially, when they are
contracted. The band members are Val Mat
(acoustic guitar/vocalist); Edgar Echavez (bass); Jun Mercado (lead guitaris);
Lito Bosque (drummer); Randy Avila (vocalist). Aside from playing the acoustic
guitar and the band leader, he is also a vocalist of the band.
I relate with Job as we are both artists
and I also sympathize with him when he confided that with a heavy heart he left
PAL. Unlike me, however, I got burned up with my job in PAL so that leaving it
gave me some sort of a relief, although, nothing can stop me from looking back
to the airline that became so much part of my life. Perhaps, when I can have
another chance to talk again to Job, I would advise him to move on with his
music, as I did with my writing…and still remain a member of the original PAL
family.
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