“The Rainmakers” returned to the University stage on March 2 to mount a benefit concert marking its 50th year as a band.
Three members from the quintet, Joel Macanaya, Jojo Grospe, and Ramon Villanueva took center stage at the “Golden Harmony: The Rainmakers’ 50th” concert. Proceeds of the performance went to the UST High School Batch 1970 Medical and Dental Mission Society Inc.
In an interview with the Varsitarian, Grospe said the secret to the band’s longevity is love for music.
“It’s a lot of love for music,” he said. “We’re just happy to celebrate our 50th [year]…we’re just happy that we reached this milestone.”
The Rainmakers performed a total of 18 songs, including original compositions and renditions from the band’s early musical influences.
It was the 1970s era, during which the band began recording its maiden songs, that inspired the curation of the setlist for the concert, according to Grospe.
The pieces included “Binibini,” “I Won’t Last A Day,” and “Okay Sa Akin.”
They also performed renditions of “More Today Than Yesterday” by The Spiral Staircase, “Can’t Take My Eyes of You” by The Lettermen, and “MacArthur Park” by Donna Summer.
Political and show business couple Rep. Lani Mercado-Revilla and Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. served as guest performers.
The Rainmakers was formed in 1968 to represent UST High School at a Student Catholic Action vocal group competition, winning for two consecutive years.
Grospe said the band’s name was conceived from the prevailing weather at the time of the group’s formation, and was inspired by the Filipino jest that rain would fall when someone sang badly.
“Some people like to joke that ‘Hey, don’t sing or else it would rain!’…We negated that, and every time we sing, it really rains! So it’s a positive thing for us,” he said.
After the original Rainmakers graduated from the University, the quintet went through several changes, settling for Grospe, Macanaya, Luke Gaston, Ed de Guzman, and Tom Callueng.
The group went on to perform on television shows and concerts in the country and abroad, and win various accolades like the Aliw Award for Best Group Performer.
