Mike Hanopol shuffled slowly into Backspacer Records for the launch of his vinyl album “Lagablab."

He looked his age but he’s still as sharp as ever, parrying questions from the media with acid wit.

Bassist, singer, and guitarist Hanopol is the last surviving member of legendary 1970s rock trio Juan de la Cruz. 

Joey “Pepe” Smith was the tisoy front man who sang and played drums, and was as famous for his drug consumption as his music. 

Wally Gonzalez was the quiet one who played lead guitar and was best known for an instrumental number called “Wally’s Blues”. 

Smith died in 2019 at 71, which is shockingly old considering his lifestyle. 

I once chanced upon him smoking meth at a toilet in a New Manila mansion owned by the wealthy family of punk rocker Karl Roy. Smith just nodded at me and continued smoking the substance from an aluminum foil. 

Gonzales died also at 71 in 2021.

Hanopol, the last Juan standing, is 79. 

His album, remastered for vinyl by Manila-based Shinji Tanaka, sounds fresh and Immediate. I love bass, and got what I wanted. But I was surprised that bass credits went to Francis de Veyra. Hanopol got the vocals and guitar credits.

The striking cover artwork by Lynyrd Paras features flames spewing out of Hanopol’s eyes. 

Much of Juan de la Cruz’s song lyrics were nonsense, but who cared? 

Smith got lucky with “Himig Natin” – the national anthem of my generation.

Hanopol is regarded as the best composer of the band. 

“In the Juan de la Cruz division of labor, Pepe had the stage charisma and Wally the guitar chops, but it was Mike who had the knack for writing songs with immediate radio appeal,” said Pinoy Rock chronicler Eric Caruncho.

In 2015, I met Smith and Gonzalez in Singapore when they played at a basement girlie bar off Orchard Road. Pinay dancers sat with you for as long as you plied them with drinks.

They had sunk that low.

But the duo autographed my vinyl compilation called “Tatak Juan de la Cruz” which I brought last week to Mike's album launch.

He obliged, so I now have a rare album signed by all three members.

“Lagablab" is a delightful pop-rock album showcasing Hanopol’s songwriting skills and featuring guest roles by Francis M, Myra Ruaro, Hannah Romawac, and Aia de Leon.

Hanopol sings about loving your parents, waiting to be reunited with your loved one, arrogant people, and good and evil, among other things.

This is another commendable project by www.backspacerrecords.com,the biggest champion of Original Pilipino Music.

They are now into their 70th OPM project since 2021.

Backspacer has also expanded its store in Pasig, the most beautiful record store I have seen in Metro Manila.

Roberto “Bobby” Coloma worked for 28 years as a foreign correspondent overseas and returned home in 2023 to Manila, where he is still an active independent writer.