Ambrosia plays Manila

Folk Arts Theater
Manila,Philippines
Feb. 11 - 14 - 2000

Please Click On Any Image To Make It Bigger!!

Bryce Parks Remembers.........

To begin with I must give thanks to Pat & Billie Boyette & Rex Stocklin for digging my name out of their files & and e-mailing me telling me about the Travelers List
which I joined. I've only been on the list since Jan.2000 but I've been a fan of
Ambrosia since 1975.

I was reading the Travellers Digest one day and saw something about Ambrosia
playing in Manila. It caught my attention because I work in Seoul, Korea -
but my lovely wife is a Filipina. About every three months we travel from Seoul
back to Manila since my wife is only allowed a Korean Visa good for 90 days.
We were booked to return to Manila on Feb.9th and it was on the 5th of Feb.
when I again read on the list about someone wishing them luck in Manila.

I was almost afraid to check the date that Ambrosia would be playing in Manila
for fear that it would be a time when I'm in Seoul. That's how bad my luck has been going
since the Asian economic crash of 97'.

Well, I just had to know so I checked Traveller's Danse and it looked like my luck was about to change for the better.

Ambrosia was giving three shows, the first on Friday Feb.11th , only two days after we
were arriving in Manila! Perfect timing .

I e-mailed Pat and told him I would be able to see Ambrosia in Manila. Possibly all three shows. Pat thought I was traveling all the way from America to attend the shows and e-mailed Joe and several others about me being there. Joe told Pat that he would try and accommodate me backstage since Pat had asked me to review the shows for Traveller's Danse .

Pat soon found out that there was a misunderstanding. Although I am an American, I
would only be traveling from Korea to Manila and would be doing so rather or not our favorite band would be playing there. Pat said the shows would be short but I would not even let that damper my spirits as I would have been happy even if they only hummened the Philippine national anthem.

Wednesday Feb. 9th 2000

We landed in Manila at 11:10 AM. There is always something that goes wrong whenever
I come to Manila. This time it was we had to sit on the plane at the gate till 11:50.
They couldn't find anyone who knew how to operate the moveable walkway so we could disembark.

When we at last left the plane I asked one of the airport authorities why it took so long
and was told that the Korean Air 747 wasn't lined up properly. I looked at the plane from
the window and could see that it sat perfectly on the mark. Welcome to Manila!

We got to our apartment in Makati about 12:30 PM which means we made good time in the horrible traffic of Manila. Before we unpacked I told my wife we have to go and get the tickets.

We were both tired as we got up at 4:30AM to get us and our two children ready in time
to make the flight. My wife wanted to wait till the next day to get tickets but I insisted we get them now. By 2:00 PM we were on our way to the Folk Arts center to get tickets.
Ticket prices ranged from 600 pesos { about 15 u.s.dollars] to 1500 pesos. or about
37 u.s. dollars. I tried to get the best seats possible but the prime ones were
already gone . I got four tickets altogether as my wife would only be going with
me to the final show on Valentines Day. My seats weren't bad as I was in the 4th row
back close to the middle on the first night. The front row but clear to the side
the second night and on the final night 3rd row but a little left of center.
My view of the stage was excellant at every show but for sound it was best on
the first night as I was more in the middle.

The shows were put on by 'Ovation Productions' a Manila based company , and produced by Mr. Renen Degaia.

It was billed as 'Greatest Hits Concert Series # 1 and on the ticket was Ambrosia,
Survivor, David Pack, and John Ford Coley. It seemed like a strange line up at first
but then this is Manila. After seeing the shows the different styles of the artists
didn't clash like my first impression lead me to beleive.

When I bought the tickets I asked about a backstage pass just in case to see if
I was on the list. I was told to ask the producer and was given his name and
phone number. I called the number and was put on the phone with the producer
Renen Degaia and asked him about it. He politely told me backstage passes aren't
usually given out at this venue as they only rent the place and have to follow
its' rules which included no filming and no photos. The band wasn't in town yet
but when they get here he said he would ask them about it which he never did.
He told me when I go to the show on Friday to ask for him and he would get back to me.

Friday night Feb 11th 2000
The first show

I never had an opportunity to see Ambrosia live in the 25 years since I got my
first Ambrosia album. I've never seen time go by so slowly as from the time I got my tickets till showtime Friday night. You would think I was used to waiting by now,,WRONG!

The ticket said 8:00 PM and though my Apt. isn't far from the Folk Arts Theater
I left at 6:30pm. If there is no traffic it's only a five minute drive but unless
it's two in the morning there is always traffic. It didn't take long as I was at the
concert hall by seven. Unfortunately, no one was allowed inside till eight o'clock.
I was forced to wait in line for an hour which wasn't easy as I'm just recovering
from a severly broken ankle. I passed the time talking to my neighbors in line and
wishing I had remembered to take some aspirin before I left. I was in some pain.
Many of the people I talked to were there to see John Ford Coley. John as a solo
artist and the music he made with England Dan are very popular here in Manila
as you will constantly here his songs on the radio. Not a lot of people I talked
to were that familiar with Ambrosia.

How unfortunate for them I thought.
One nice couple did tell me they had trouble finding David Packs' CD's here in
Manila as well as on a visit to the states where they looked all over and would
ask the salespersons at different record stores for anything by David Pack.

They said no one knew him(as I pictured a body pierced young attendant who's memory
goes all the way back to Nirvana trying to figure out who these people were
talking about). I told this nice couple that I think David only released one
solo CD. I could easily relate to the frustrations this happy couple
experianced but I couldn't make them understand why not everybody in America
knows who David Pack or Ambrosia for that matter is.

They were great fans and how do you explain to people like that who really appreaciate
good honest music as an art that there are many people who prefer noise over truly
great music that our band Ambrosia has produced??

Eight o'clock and at last we are let in.
I'm led to my seat row D seat 13. I'm not supersticious!
I ask the attendant to please find Renen Degaia and tell him I'm here.
She does and in a few minutes comes back with word that he will come over and talk
to me soon. Well I'm still waiting for the promised meeting to find out about a
backstage pass. I'm wondering how I'll ever get photos to go with this review
[ quickly turning into a small book ] like all the other reviews I've seen at Traveller's Danse webpage.

I'm in my seat which is just an uncomftorble chair that the venue has set up
and there is no air-conditioning which means everyone is sweating up a storm.
I asked someone sitting next to me why is there no air-con and am told this
is an open air theater. He points near the ceiling and I see about a two foot space
that goes around the theater in a horse shoe shape. If there was a breeze there was
not enough space for it to even blow through. This all being in an area of Manila
called the CCP complex and is about the most modern place in the whole country
outside of various 5 star luxurary hotels.
We make due with our surroundings waiting and talking until the show finally begins
at 8:50 PM.

First on is a local group called 'The Company' three boys and three girls all good
singers backed by an excellent group of local musicians.
They sing their hearts out only to recieve very sparse applause. I'm thinking ,
mmhh tough audiance. The capacity of the venue isn't much more then 4 thousand
and I guess maybe close to three thousand were there the first night.
I'm only guessing.

John Ford Coley comes out next and the crowd comes alive. I recongnize all the songs
as being played a lot on Manila radio. I usually only hear the radio when I'm in
taxis so maybe that will tell you something.They really like him here.
I liked him too as he put on a good show.
I didn't know who would play next and even the producer couldn't tell me what order
they would play when I talked to him on Wednesday. I was hoping Ambrosia would play
last. They didn't as I could see Chris sitting at his Hammond before they were introduced
and the lights came on.
In the end it didn't really matter what spot in the show they came on as it was a rush
when they were announced and started to play.

Unlike when John Ford Coley came on and everyone applauded at reconigtion of his song
it seemed I was the only one applauding when they played their first song,
'Nice Nice Very Nice' and I also yelled out 'oh yeah' a couple of times!!

I'm pretty sure I was also the only one who knew the words and was singing along.
This was the first time I had heard the new arrangement [ new for me] of it
with the extra pause of a beat between nice and nice. I liked hearing it done that
way and can imagine why they rearranged it but if you ask me I think the original
version carries a bigger punch. Regardless I was estatic watching and hearing them
play one of my long time favorite songs live and in person.
At the end of the song everyone clapped, but I was MORE enthusiastic!

You must understand the people in the audience were in age brackets from elderly
to teenagers and everything inbetween. The people there were looking for songs
they hear everyday on the radio so they could sing along or at least tap their feet
to an old favorite. I knew the song very well and was very happy to hear it
but most in the audiance just sat on their hands.
I'm sure the group didn't know how much airplay JFC gets in Manila but it had to
be a little disheartening for them to get such little reaction after the response
John had gotten. Like true Pros they carried on and tried to win the tough crowd over.

The next song they played was 'You're the Only Woman' and it sounded fantastic!
I was surprised how good they sang as I know they must have all felt jetlag
and jetlag can really be hard on one phyiscally. I really liked the way they
opened the song before getting to the opening bars we all know from the record.
Many of you who have seen them live recently may know what I mean as Dave sings
the words 'you're the only woman' a few times with some additional add lib
before they get to the actual tune. I thought it was great and was singing
along with them as I seemed to be the only person in the crowd to know the words.
I have heard this song on the radio here and it rang a bell with this crowd.

They then did 'Livin on my Own' which got some response, but again at the end
only medium applause. One got the feeling the crowd thought it was something else
when they first started playing. The group was playing and singing beautifully
so it wasn't like they weren't trying. They were working extra hard to win
the crowd over.

The next number Dave introduced a song he wrote with Michael McDonald
saying it was the first time Ambrosia played it together in concert.
I'm pretty sure the name of the song was called 'Our Love'.

The crowd started to wake up a little by then.
Then the band really started to cook on the next song, Magical Mystery Tour.
Dave introduced the song by saying they didn't write the song but it was
a hit for somebody else and a hit for them in the states.
I was going wild as I had heard about them recording this for
'All this and World War two' but hadn't heard their version before!
It was really great to hear my favorite band do a cover song of my other favorite band.
I thought the crowd liked it but maybe it was just all my clapping and yelling
that gave me that idea.

From there they went directly into 'Biggest Part of Me' and I thought surely
these people will know this song as I've also heard it on the radio here
so that must mean the people here in the crowd had heard it at sometime
or another too. It got a good reaction at the start but again at the end only
medium applause. I could see some people not even being polite by not clapping at all.
They played it perfectly and it sounded great. I was enjoying the Heck out of the show
and was a little dumbfounded as to why the majority in the crowd wasn't.
In my mind I felt really sorry for these people as they refused to give in to
the greatness of the performance they had the honor to witness.

The next great song they did was the first song I ever heard of the band
'Holdin' On to Yesterday'.

What words can describe this song??
They played it so great and so many thoughts and emotions ran through me.
What can I say , it was Holdin' On To Yesterday'.
Towards the end of the song my neighbor in the seat next to me broke my trance
and told me and I quote' Oh I get what kind of music they play, it's the Blues'
he said with a happy smile. Though the band stretched the song out some and
Tollak was wailing on the harmonica giving it kind of a bluesy sound
it was not the blues as we know it . I started to respond to the person
but before any words came out I realized it was pointless to try to explain to
him the Blues and the kind of Music Ambrosia plays. I just smiled to him and
patted him on the shoulder telling him you got it.

The last song they did that night was 'How Much I Feel'
again they played it fantastic and again the audiance acted like they had never
heard it before. During the chorus Dave would hold the mic towards the crowd
trying to get them to sing 'that's how much I feel' and there again I think I
was the only one singing as the crowd was mostly silent.
The band left the stage to sparse applause. This was their encore
and I couldn't imagine what they were thinking as to why such little crowd response.
I was very happy about how well the band played but dismayed and upset with the
crowds lack of responce and showing so little respect.
My wife is Filipina and we have two kids so even though I've tried for years
to understand the people and this country I always come up short.

Survivor came on last and as I was there to see Ambrosia I wasn't very enthused
to stay and see them but out of respect I stayed to watch not expecting much.
I was only familiar with 'Eye of the Tiger' from one of the Rocky movies
having been burned out on that song by the radio and I couldn't remember
some of their other hits from the 80's.

Like John Ford Coley , Survivor won me over with their excellent musicianship
as well as their stage pressence. Their lead singer Jimmy Jason is a unique
person as were the others too and I was very impressed.
The crowd liked them too. The audiance even knew the words to the songs when
Jimmy would point the mic at them to sing along. Jimmy was amazed and
surprised by this as I don't think he expected that. He was knocked out by
that at all three shows. I was amazed by it also though I didn't know the words.



After the show that first night I asked another attendant where I could find
the producer who so far had managed to allude me. She said she didn't know and
as there was a guard nearby I asked him and told him how I needed to see Mr.Degaia
to make some arrangement so I could get backstage to take some photos. I needed
some kind of permission as cameras were not allowed and I wanted something in writing
to allow me to bring in the old camera.

To my surprise and delight after the guard heard my story he said I could go backstage
if I wanted . He just waved me in that direction but I insisted that he escort me
in case someone tried to stop me.
So there I was backstage with all the usual activity going on. There was a big table
with lots of food and several beverages but I wasn't there to eat and drink.
Right behind the table was a dressing room and the guard said Ambrosia should be in there.
After he told me that I could see a small sign which read Ambrosia.

I couldn't beleive my luck . I asked someone if Ambrosia was in there but was told
they had already went to the hotel . Dang my luck I thought to myself.
Since I was already backstage I thought maybe I could find someone who could tell me
how I could get permission to bring my camera in for the next nights show.
I was introduced to the assistant producer who seemed to be on a major ego trip.
I told him my story and gave him my name card with my phone number on it.
He said he would slip it under their door at the hotel and that was all he could do.
I have no doubt he threw it away within 30 seconds.

So there I was not feeling very hopeful of meeting the band . The members of Survivor
were hanging around Ambrosias dressing room so I introduced my self to them.
Not being a big fan but I did want to tell them they put on a great show
since they were standing right there. Paul Brown their organ player was very
personable and we became fast friends.
I went home that night satisfied on seeing a great show but a little dejected at my
prospects for getting some pics of the group let alone their autograph.




Saturday night Feb.12th
The Second Show

I left a little later then the night before as I didn't want to wait in line for
an hour. I decided to go to the Westin Philippine Plaza hotel which is only a
five minute walk to the concert hall. I needed to make a long distance phone call
and I could use one of their card phones there. I guessed the band was staying there
since the hotel was one of the sponsers and it was so close. I didn't know for sure
though. I got to the hotel at 7:40pm and it took over an hour to get there as traffic
was horrendous.I've been to that hotel several times in the past as I use to take my
wife dancing there before we had kids. They always have great local bands there
to dance the night away .

As I entered the hotel lobby I couldn't beleive who I saw. There was Joe just
standing there. He was waiting for the others so they could go to the theater.
I never thought I'd see them since I guessed wrongly, that they would probably
use a different exit then the main one.

I took a deep breath and approached Joe and introduced myself.
He had gotten the e-mail from Pat telling him about me so we had some common
ground in engaging in some conversation. We had a good ten minutes or more
before the others came down one by one. Joe was very kind and friendly to me
and asked me some questions about my life and line of work etc.etc.
When we first started talking I was a little nervous to say the least and my
mouth dried up like a dessert and I admit my knees were shaking a bit.
Joes' soothing nature soon had me relaxed and more natural.

I had never met someone whose work I'd admired and loved for so many years.
I had met the late Rick Nelson back in 1980 at the Houston airport and he was
friendly but I hadn't been a fan since the Ozzie and Harriet show was canceled
back in the 60's.

Anyway, I was carrying a copy of Ambrosias' Anthology CD with me just in case.
I had carried it the night before and almost left it at home this night thinking
what's the use. I'm glad I decieded to bring it after all.
When I remembered I had it with me I pulled it out and asked if he would sign it.
No sooner had he finished signing it then Dave walked up to us.


I introduced myself to Dave and he was far nicer and more friendly then I expected
after reading other peoples reviews. Joe was still holding my CD and pen when I
asked Dave to sign it so Joe handed it to Dave and he signed it. Joe then asked
if I wanted it to say to Bryce or something and I said sure that would be great.
So I handed it back to Joe and he wrote 'To Bryce Mabuhay', Ambrosia'
Mabuhay is a Filippino greeting and as much as I can figure its like aloha
good for greetings and partings. I thought it was really cool that he knew the word
after only being in the country a short time. Then over came Burleigh and he signed it
and I was filling in Dave and Burleigh on things about myself that I had already told
Joe. It seemed like we were waiting a good spell for Chris after they all signed my
CD. We were all standing there talking when Chris came down. Anyone who has met Chris
knows he's always on the go in situations like that but I was very thankful that
he took the time to sign my CD and he was also friendly to boot.

Just as it was time for them to catch their ride to the theater I remembered to ask them
how I can arrange to get their photos. Chris said they'd be hanging out in one of
hotels bars and if I wanted I could come hang out with them after the show.
I stood there a few moments after they left trying to beleive I had just met Ambrosia.
Then I remembered I had a phone call to make.

While I was standing there with just David and Joe They asked me what I had thought
of the show the night before. I told them I thought they sounded great but was
puzzled by the crowds reaction. They said they tried so hard to get the crowd
into it which I noticed as they really were trying. I went on to explain some
things about filippino culture that I know but nothing could explain it.

A filipino will tell you they like love songs and almost every song they played
fit that catagory. None of us could figure out the crowds lack of reaction
at the first show. They told me the producer told them afterwards that at
tonights show they can't play Nice' or even MMT or Holdin'on...
I couldn't beleive they were told not to play those songs again.
The producer told them just play the hits.. They said they were thinking all
day what to do to get the crowd into it and I should expect something diferent tonight.

The Show

There were many more people there then the first night and as to how many, it would
only be a guess and very likely very wrong.
Since this is turning into a book I'll try and condense this to make it shorter
but if you are still reading you must realize that many things happened both during the shows and when I was with the band and that I'm already leaving a lot of it out of this artical.

Tonight Tollak came out and did a song he wrote a few years ago and played it with 'The Company'.
They had a hit record with the song a couple of years ago in the Philippines.
Sorry folks I never got a chance to talk to Tollak to ask him the name of the song.
(Stay With Me) The crowd loved it and got good response. Things were looking better all ready.

Then 'The Company' brought Dave out which explained why his name was on the ticket.
This is the night I was in the front, Row A seat 48 at the very edge.
My seat at the first show was much better for sound but the view was just as good only
it was from a different angle.

I asked Dave later that night what are the names of the songs he did with them as I only knew one.

They were: ' All I need' 'That girl is gone' and 'Keep this Love Alive'
The crowd got into them and gave a very good response.
They didn't play together the first night as there wasn't time to rehearse.
Next came John Ford Coley and he pleased the crowd again with his songs and humor.
Did I mention I met him before the show in the lobby with Ambrosia.
What a nice guy and he also signed my Anthology CD cover. I met Paul Brown again
before the show at the hotel after Ambrosia had left. Paul signed my CD too.
It seemed I was always running into him and we talked about a lot of things.
He mentioned during the show that his Step-father was Filipino but it was his
playing that won the crowd over to him. The person sitting next to me didn't beleive
it, as Paul doesn't look filipino and Paul didn't mention the word step before father.
Anyway the guy tells me "I bet he says that to the people in every country he goes to."

Ambrosia played fewer songs this night since they were banned from playing several
they played at show number 1.
They played even better then the first show and their voices just kept getting better
at each show.
This is the song list from the second show:
You're the Only Woman, Livin on my Own, Our Love.
How Much I Feel, Biggest part of Me, and Angola !

The crowd response was much better then it was Friday night but still wasn't as
good as they deserved. They played their hearts out as they wanted so much to
please the Filipino crowd.

The highlite was defenitely Angola. They changed the words to livin in Manila.
I was in hysterics as it was really funny and it had to have took some nerve
as some people might have taken it the wrong way but no one seemed to take offense
and it really got the crowd into it.Joe divided the the crowd into a mens chorus
and a womens chorus. He gave the women the part that is the opening tune to
A lion sleeps Tonight. The men got to sing' Eli come and he wants to go home'.
It was hilarious but it got the crowd into it. Joe also gave the audiance singers
some other add lib gibberish lines to sing but the aformentioned parts really
worked well. The crowd just started to realize what a great band this is
but by then it was too late as Ambrosia was already off the stage and Survivor
was ready to play.

After the show I went back to the hotel to see if Chris meant it when he said
I could come over and hang out with them. I had to find out when would be a good time
to get their photos anyway. I walked into the sports lounge in the hotel and the first people
I saw were Joe and Dave. I think they were sitting with Rich the tour manager but I'm
not exactly sure even though I was introduced.

Right away Joe sees me walk in and waves and calls out my name. Most people can't remember
my name when I first meet them and I was pleasently surprised and pleased that Joe had
remembered my name. Dave saw me and he also remembered my name . So I then sat down next to Joe and Dave and hung out.
Chris stopped by the table to tell everyone to come to
the lounge downstairs as they had live music.Then he took off. Burleigh never showed up
and someone said he was wiped out and was sleeping. So there I was with Joe and Dave.
I had heard Burleigh was the easiest to get to know and that he often went out of
his way to talk to fans and that Dave was more difficult to get to know for fans.
I was surprised to find myself talking with both Joe and Dave. They really made me feel at ease
and gladly answered any questions I had. I couldn't really get into a party mood as
I had questions I wanted to remember to ask them. We talked more about me and my life
then I thought we would but they had questions about my life in Korea and Manila
that I gladly answered. They were really more kind and friendly then I could have
imagined.

I told Joe that I'm sure he gets asked this a lot but will there be a new Ambrosia
CD that the fans can expect in the future. He smiled and said there might be , maybe.
I also asked as it might be interesting for fans to know if there was one song on
the Anthology that almost made the final cut but was left off.
He was laughing and said yeah, Danse with me George. We talked about that song for
awhile and he said it was the most fun song they had recorded. Anyone who has
heard that song can see why.

I had a lot more questions about the Anthology but
I didn't ask them all as I didn't want them to think that being with me meant
a lot of work by answering a lot of questions they'd been asked before. I tried
to be wise in my selections of questions and the timeing of when I'd ask them.
I spent most of the time talking to Joe as I was next to him but Dave was always kind
cos sometimes Joe would tell Dave about something we were talking about and Dave
would give his imput as well as answer any of my questions to him or ask me personal
questions about myself. It was a great night and I didn't really expect the chance to be
with them in the relaxed atmosphere we found ourselves in.

After awhile they decided to join Chris Downstairs and Joe asked me if I'd like
to go with them. I politely declined as I didn't want to wear out my welcome
and I would have a hard enough time explaining to my wife as it is why I'm so
late in getting home. As much as I wanted to stay with them I knew I'd better get home
to keep peace on the home front. I did arrange to meet them again on Monday before
the show to take photos. Sunday was a day off.

Monday Feb.14th 2000
Valentines Day
Third and final show in Manila

I met Ambrosia again at their hotel before the show for pictures.
Since it was Valentines Day I brought my wife to this their third show.
She is younger then me and more into Savage Garden, though she does like Ambrosia,
just not enough to attend all three shows. Thankfully she was there and she took all
the photos. Dave was there first on this night so I got to talk to him for awhile
and get his picture. I wanted to get pictures of them alone and with the group
with only some with me in them but as it turns out my ugly mug is in them all.
We got some really good pics of everybody. Chris was late in coming down
but he arrived just in time for a group photo before the band had to leave for the theater.
I never did get a chance to speak with Tollack or Ricky who is a great percusionist.
Of course it almost goes without saying just how great a musician Tollack is.
I also managed to get a photo with the great John Ford Coley and Paul Brown.
I never did see the other members of survivor hanging around but I'm sure they
hung out somewhere as it was a big hotel.

The Show.

The crowd was almost as big as it was on Saturday night being it was valentines day
and a big holiday in the Philippines. They call it here Christmas in Febuary.
Tollack played again with 'The Company' and after that Dave came out again and played
with them. He played the same three songs he did on Saturday,
All I Need, Keep this Love Alive, and That girl is gone.
He also did another song with them this night which I'm not sure of the name.
He was telling me about it earlier before the show. He was watching filipino T.V.
and some famous diva here was singing a song he wrote. He was really surprised
to see someone singing it on T.v. that day as well as being very happy about it so he decided
to sing it that night.

In all the excitement I neglected to write down the name of the song, and didn't
get the chance to ask him after the show.
The crowd loved it when he explained how he had saw this famous Filipina diva
sing it on T.V. that very day and how he decided to sing it for them that night.
The crowds responce this last night was roaring its approvel unlike
the other two shows where you almost had to poke them to get a reaction.
Dave's voice was in the best form of all the shows and he hit the high notes
perfectly with the greatest of ease. It was an honor to sit there and watch him
perform so exceptionally well.

John Ford Coley did his set next which was great as usual and then Ambrosia
took the stage. They did the same songs as Saturday night which were
'You're the only Woman', Livin on my Own, 'Our Love,
'How much I Feel', Biggest Part of Me' and Angola.

The crowd was really getting into it tonight, and the applause got stronger
and louder with each song. The group really sounded tight and their playing was impecable.
At last the people of Manila gave Ambrosia their due!

It was a great set and they really cooked on Angola again, changing the words to livin in Manila
and the crowd went wild. When Joe had the crowd singing the girls part and the mens part,
[ for the girls the Lion sleeps tonight riff, and men , Eli comes and he wants to go home.]
It was great and I was as hysterical as the night before . Even my wife was getting
into it. The crowd really belted it out tonight giving much pleasure to the band at
last. It was great and the crowd was really going wild. Unbelievable considering
their reactions to the other two shows. When Ambrosia left the stage the crowd was left
screaming for more. They were screaming and they meant it, at last understanding
that they were in the pressense of greatness.

The reaction the band got that night was the greatest reaction that anybody on
the ticket had gotten in the three days of shows. I can still hear people crying for
more with my voice joining them!

After the show my wife and I had to return to the hotel to get our camera which we had
left in the hands of the Hotel desk. My beautiful wife wasn't to happy when I told her
I was going to pop into the lounge to see if the band was there as I told her I was
just going to say good-by and thank them . Well my wife being Filipina is a ball of fire
and she remembered that Burleigh had welcomed me to join them after the show.

She was sure I was going to stay and was ready to take a taxi home by herself
in a mad frame of mind. As it turned out they weren't back from the show as being the last night
everybody on the ticket celebrated the last night of the show together backstage.
I ran into Raz [ I don't know if I spelled that right] everybody knows him as the sound
mixer at their shows. We got into quite a conversation and he told me they'd be back
in about a half an hour. So I told Raz to give my Good-bys and thanks to the band.
He told me I should just wait for them but one look at my wife told me to go home
and be thank full for the good time I already had.

I heard Ambrosia may return
to Manila again in the near future so hopefully I can meet them again when they return.
Ambrosia left for America the next day.
I took my wonderful wife home and the rest of Valentines night was spent in LOVE!
God Bless Ambrosia
and God Bless anyone who read this terribly long artical.It took me hours to write!

Thank You
Bryce Parks
Manila
Feb.17 2000
I can be easily reached at
[email protected]

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