9-ELEVEN Resto Bar, which serves a variety of food and drinks, has opened a new branch on Beach Road in Garapan near the former Tony Roma’s/Capricciosa restaurants.
The bar’s manager, Edwin Maratas, said one of their bands, Groove Theory, will perform nightly in Garapan while another band, Kwerdas, will provide nightly entertainment at the 9-Eleven Resto Bar in San Jose.
Jasmine Nabelgas, Groove Theory vocalist, noted that the Garapan tourist district has become almost like a “ghost town” due to the Covid-19 restrictions.
But she said their band considers it an honor to be part of an ongoing effort to revive Garapan’s lively nighttime atmosphere.
She said they are also ready to entertain the more diverse audience in Garapan. “We know many songs. I’m like a walking jukebox,” she added in jest.
Anthony Reyes, who is also a vocalist for Groove Theory, said they are excited to perform at 9-Eleven’s newest branch.
For his part, Groove Theory lead guitarist Neil Capacio said he had decided to take a break from music, but it kept “calling” him back.
“Maybe I really missed doing live band,” he said.
At 9-Eleven Resto Bar in San Jose, Mirabel Alapcio, the first runner up in the karaoke singing contest last month, will join Kwerdas Band as one of its vocalists.
“We’ve already played on stage together, and it turned out great — we have good harmony,” she said.
Vocalist Gemma Raymundo, one of the pioneers of Kwerdas Band, said their group has evolved from an acoustic to a full band.
Kwerdas Band’s other members are drummer Tony Liguyan, bass guitarist Alan David, vocalist Rolly Capayas and lead guitarist Jonathan Ibajan.
Groove Theory vocalists Jasmine Nabelgas, second left, and Anthony Reyes, second right, pose for a photo with bassist Reyel Contreras, left, drummer Dennis Morante, center, and lead guitarist Neil Capacio, right, at 9-Eleven Resto Bar.
