Last 4th of July, America’s Independence Day, was celebrated by uniting the Philippines and the U.S. as one through American Rock-n-Roll. The concert presented by RJ100.3FM, Johnny Rockets, and AMA Education Systems. It began in the afternoon with RJ Guitars having an exhibit and workshops on guitar playing, the Philippine’s boy wonder guitar player Luis Galang started the show by demonstrating his amazing guitar skills to get the crowd warmed up. The U.S. Ambassador Harry Thomas Jr. and his daughter Casey graced the event as well as other dignitaries from the American Embassy. RJ Jacinto, the King of Rock-n-Roll, Ambassador Harry Thomas Jr. , his entourage, and Johnny Elvis (the official Elvis of MTV America), enjoyed a sumptuous genuine all American meal at Johnny Rockets hosted by Dr. Miguel Aguiluz, the President of Johnny Rockets. After the delightful meal, the concert started. A huge crowd gathered around the stage eager to watch the rock-n-roll icons. Dr. Aguiluz and Ambassador Harry Thomas addressed the crowd and Rock-n-Roll icon RJ Jacinto gave a custom made RJ Lakbay guitar hand painted with the American Stars and Stripes to Ambassador Thomas as a symbol of Filipino-American friendship. A magnificent fireworks display started the concert, the crowd was truly mesmerized by the music and the magic that was in the air that evening. Children, parents, young adults, and the young at heart sang along to RJ and Johnny Elvis and some, including Ambassador Thomas and daughter Casey danced to rock-n-roll classics. The President of Honda Philippines, Mr. Yoda, also jammed on stage with RJ, giving the crowd a surprise number. It will certainly be a night to remember for all those who were there. It proves once again that music brings happiness, and friendship, and that Rock-n-Roll will never die!

The Boracay Big Summer Show that was held recently as our event on April 24 @ the Club Manila East, Station 2. RJ 100.3 and UR 105.9FM proved that we can definitely throw out the best summer beach getaway! We gave out free cups of halo-halo, courtesy of Alaska as a refreshing snack and MyJuiz distributed their complimentary tasty Juiz to cool down the guests who arrived at our event. Then, the games commenced with an Emperadòr Light Ultimate Frisbee challenge, as well as a "Bring Me" game by by Dermplus, a treasure hunt sponsored by MyJuiz, a balloon-blowing contest by Lungcaire Plus and finally, a coral reef photo exhibit by professional underwater photographers. Nightfall came, and that's when all the festivities began. Fire dancers wowed the crowd with their fire-flailing skills, while trays of cocktail drinks were being passed around to match the night, thanks to The Bar and Emperadòr Light Brandy. Local reggae band, Western Boulevard began their performance to warm up the crowd and to get them ready for the next gig. Finally, it was Sandwich's turn to perform. That was the culmination as the audience got all hyped up and really enjoyed the rest of the night. We thank the following major sponsors who helped us promote our event for this summer of 2010: Alaska, MyJuiz, in co-operation with Emperadòr Light Brandy, Lungcaire Plus, in participation with Dermplus-"your everyday sun protection", Boracay.com, Yelo King Tube Ice, and special thanks to EPGSS Tourism of Boracay and the Boracay Association of Scuba Diving Schools (BASS). Our huge gratitude goes out to all those who came to our event and participated in all of our games. See you all soon!

For those who are huge fanatics of both The Ventures and "The Guitarman" RJ Jacinto, then you'll love this! "Walk Don't Run to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: The Story of The Ventures - 50 Years of Rock & Roll" is an autobiographical book written by Del Halterman, along with the late Josie Wilson and the original members of The Ventures, Don Wilson and Bob Bogle. In one of the chapters inside this book, it encompasses and features a couple of short stories on how The Ventures came to the Philippines on their first ever 10-day concert tour. Several of their gigs happened to be at the Araneta Colosseum and appearances at two American Air Force Bases. That's when The Ventures met with Ramon "RJ" Jacinto who, at seventeen years-old lead his original band, The Riots. They consisted of Jimmy Colayco on rhythm guitar, Alan Austria on bass, the late Bernie Evangelista on drums and of course, the "Guitarman" himself. The rest is history. Read on to learn more about how "RJ" Jacinto was made one of the pioneers of Filipino rock & roll history and the bond that tied him with The Ventures.

RJ 100.3fm, PCSO, Smart Infinity, PAGCOR and official media partner, The Philippine Star presented "The Greatest and the Latest Concert Series: RJ Christmas Special" that showed last December 17, 2009. Dubbed as "The last of the Captain's Bar Concert", at the Mandarin Hotel, it featured past artists that have performed side-by-side with "the Guitarman" RJ Jacinto. Namely, Nyoy Volante, the Tiongco Brothers and back by popular demand, Hajji Alejandro, to sing their famous hits, as well as the good-old rock 'n roll tunes.

An Evening of Soul: RJ & Hajji - Nov. 12, 2009 The "Greatest and Latest Concert Series" sponsored by PCSO, Smart Infinity and RJFM presented "An Evening of Soul: RJ & Hajji Alejandro". It was a soulful one indeed, as the legendary "King of Filipino Soul music" got together with the "Guitar-man" RJ Jacinto, for a one-night engagement, at the Captain's Bar, Mandarin Hotel. For those of you (and I do mean the younger generation who were born in the 80's and above) Hajji was a major pop star during the 70's and 80's, and is best reminisced of his hit songs, Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika ("How Beautiful Our Music Is") and Nakapagtataka ("Wondering") as well as his original, Kilabot ng Kolehiya ("College Girls' Heartthrob"). The night started out with an all-Japanese band simply called, No Plan Band, who was the opening act for that evening. They sang their own rendition of "Stop", which was made popular in 1998 by the Spice Girls, along with some timeless Beatles medley ("We Can Work It Out", "Lady Madonna", "Come Together", "Hey Jude"), Eric Clapton's "Wonderful Tonight", Sting's "Every Breath You Take" and a hit single of Paul McCartney and Wings' "Junior's Farm". Then the "Main-man" himself, RJ Jacinto grooved away with a Latin song, "Suavecito", "Your Mama Don't Dance", and other songs from the 70's, as did Hajji Alejandro with his chart-topping melodies. And as always, the night ended with an enjoyment of dancing and more music to cap the night away.

We've managed to dig up 3 photos of RJ Jacinto with The Ventures' very-own, Nokie Edwards. This was taken in 1996, at the Bistro RJ in Makati.

Location: Captain's Bar, Mandarin Hotel - July 22, 2009 The 5th concert series of RJ 100.3fm, together with Smart Infinity, and The Philippine Star as its official media partner, had another one of its Greatest and Latest concert series entitled, "50's Choo-Ware-Ware-Wop". Three of the finest OPM performers that night were The Tionco Brothers, Janet Basco and none other than Asia's songbird, the legendary Pilita Corales, all of whom sang the hits from the 1950's. Another night of music, fun and enjoyment for those who reminisced the Golden Era.