Mindnaotoday.com | Sentimental gig of ‘Teeth’ delights CdO rock fans
By: Jack Biantan
CAGAYAN de Oro City, Misamis Oriental — I love rock music but I have never been a heavy metal music fan until I watched the brilliantly organized the Kalingawan ’23 rock music extravaganza last Saturday evening (Oct. 28, 2023) at the University of Science Technology-Philippines (UST-P) gym here.
Then there was ‘Teeth’ singing out their list of legendary songs. They then capped their emotional performance with the rendition of their classic and ultimate anthem of all drinkers, ‘Laklak’.
Never thought this group is that popular. Never thought they are that old. Most of them are almost of my age (mid-50’s) but their music still resonates on the minds of Filipino rock fans. One week has past since that concert but ‘Laklak’ and ‘Princesa’ still lingers on my musical memory, a memory that is already stuck in the 80’s.
They opened their gig with a slow song which I could not even remember, but then a teardrop flowed down to my cheek when the hoard of hardcore ‘Teeth’ fans, went in front of the stage to sing along with lead rocker Glenn Jacinto.
It was surreal. It was the first time I have seen them perform and yet just like magnet I was drawn to the front stage where I started jumping and clapping together with the ‘Teethers’.
After more than an hour of enjoying the ‘Teeth’ sound, it was time for Glen Jacinto to be emotional. “Without this song we are nothing. This song made the ‘Teeth’,” then the crowd went crazy and responded ‘Laklakan’ na’..
After Laklak, Jacinto revealed they are flying to the USA to live his normal life again. “We will miss you he said. That was the end of their 30 Years Anniversary reunion tour and Cagayan de Oro City was lucky to host one of their concerts.
I was lucky I got invited to watch and documented the legendary ‘Teeth’. For those who knew Teeth and missed
the show, you never know how much to missed. Next time ‘Teeth’ would come to CdO I would pay to watch them.
Just to mention here, many fans wonder why ‘Teeth’ disappeared from the Philippine rock scene in the mid
and late ’90’s after their series of success in 1993-94.
Cancer halted the ‘Teeth’ progress but it failed to stop them.
According to a feature of famous TV journalist Corina Sanchez over ABS-CBN, ‘Teeth’ lead rocker Glenn Jacinto suffered from cancer in 1995 and he stopped singing and doing music to battle the ailment. He was only 20 years old during that time.
Jacinto underwent surgeries and chemo therapy but never recovered until his mother brought him to healing
Catholic priest Fr. Corsie Legaspi in one of his healing masses. There and then Glenn was healed. He changed his
‘Rock and Roll’ lifestyle and finished his Masscom course at Letran College.
It was only during the 2000’s when the Teeth had a reunion but Jacinto with his band mates Jerome Velasco
(guitars), Doc Sergio (guitars), Peding Narvaja (bass) and Mike Dizon (drums) went in to their own separate ways again until they came back again for their 30th reunion tour this year.
The ‘Teeth’ performances during the ’90’s and this time are different. Their fans are of course older and they are older. Age and maybe cancer have affected Jacinto’s movements but his voice has never cracked. His bandmates are all the same, active on the stage and flawless with their instruments.
That is reason why Teeth are ageless and just like their songs they are eternal. (jackbiantantambok@gmail.com)
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