Twenty is such a definitive number.

Ebe Dancel, with the special participation of Mitch Singson, played Dramachine 20 Years Later at 123 Block, Mandaluyong on February 3. People in their late 20s to 40s filled the venue with one thing in mind: hear the good, old songs from an era now gone.

SEE ALSO: Ebe Dancel on Music, Friendship, Beginnings, and His Career

Sugarfree’s Sa Wakas celebrated its 20th anniversary exactly a year ago, and I was there to see the two commemorative concerts, but it didn’t hit me as hard as Dramachine turned 20 this year.

I distinctly remember that album as a young girl who was slowly discovering the wonders that music had to offer. I used to see the music video on MYX and MTV and hear it repeatedly on the now-defunct radio station NU107. Sugarfree’s Dramachine was an album I just knew even if I wasn’t an avid fan of the band back then.

They were there whenever I turned on the TV to watch the weekly charts or listened to the now-defunct NU107 on the weekends. I knew the songs by frequent association even though I didn’t own a personal copy of the album. As a high school girl who vaguely knew anything about romance, listening to “Prom” made me think that must be what it was like to fall for someone (even if our school didn’t have a prom). I would play ”Kwarto” as I was cleaning my room, pretending to feel sentimental about throwing a piece of paper that contained my ramblings. I would laugh at the kid in the “Hari Ng Sablay” music video who constantly tripped and made a fool of himself, thinking that would never be me in the future.

Ah, that was 20 years ago now. Things are much different now. Seeing Ebe Dancel sing them last Saturday gave me one hell of a throwback, I couldn’t quite get over it until now.

The show was opened by Jam Quijano, a singer/songwriter from Los Banos, whose voice soared as he sang. He performed his original song “Bribe My Heart” which was produced by Ebe Dance, as well as “Otherwise” and “Duyan”l. He also covered Rico Blanco’s song “Wag Mong Aminin” which he considers to be one of the best songs ever composed.

Everyone was thrilled when Ebe Dancel, Mitch Singson, and the band appeared onstage. It felt unreal to prematurely hear the opening chords of “Kwarto” as the opening song, but it heralded the beginning of the show, and there was no looking back from there. The audience sang along to it on cue, it was difficult to think 20 years had passed.

Most of Dramachine’s core was played: the dreamy teenage anthem “Prom”, the comforting lullaby “Tulog Na” and the unmissable “Hari Ng Sablay”. Ebe even asked a fan in the front row to sing “Kwentuhan”, and he delivered, singing each word by heart.

He also played “Bawat Daan” which he composed for the Sugarfree musical Sa Wakas: A Pinoy Rock Musical and a wedding/proposal favorite. “Wag Ka Nang Umiyak” and “Makita Kang Muli” created a unified karaoke in the pit.

A week ago, the show got postponed due to Ebe Dancel’s health. Fast forward to that evening, he was in his best condition – untouchably affable to everyone, his vocals and energy as crystal clear as ever. Being part of the crowd was such a great experience, it made 20 years’ worth of memories more vibrant, and more important.

Before the show, it was announced that it would be the last Ebe and Mitch play together in a while. In the middle of the concert, he reiterated the fact and said, “It’s just the way things go”. He recounted that after Mitch left the band in 2006, the two of them kept in touch, and it was during that time that they became really good friends.

While Ebe Dancel had kept mum about their other bandmates during their previous concerts, he broke his silence and acknowledged Sugarfree’s bassist Jal Taguibao and drummer Kaka Quisumbing that night. He thanked them repeatedly for their contribution to the band and their music.

The setlist was staggeringly composed of 22 songs. The band had to take a break in between to rest (insert age jokes here). For the 2nd part of the show, Ebe Dancel did a solemn acoustic set by himself. Dedicating “Wala Nang Hihilingin” to his loved ones who passed away recently, he sang with such intensity that he couldn’t help but get emotional towards the end. This was followed by the B-sides “Fade Away” and “Kandila” which he rarely ever played in any of his gigs.

Sa Wakas favorites “Mariposa”, “Unang Araw”, “Telepono” and “Insomya” also filled the night.

“Dear Kuya” and “Kung Ayaw Mo Na Sa Akin” from Tala-Arawan were also welcome additions.

Ebe dedicated “Hang Over” from Morning And Airports to his sweetheart who could not be present in the show because she was sick.

Ebe Dancel thanked the fans again and again. “You are the reason behind this show. Wala po kami dito ngayon kung di niyo pinapakinggan ang aming mga kanta 20 years ago,” he said. Indeed, he made sure the audience played a pivotal role in the concert as he constantly looked out for their reactions and made them sing along as much as he could. The crowd then gave back the same energy which was palpable throughout the show.

The forever finale “Burnout” signaled the end of a great night. The sentiment of everyone who attended the show is most probably summed up in the lyrics: “O, kay tagal din kitang mamahalin”. Dramachine might have been released 20 years ago and Sugarfree might no longer be together, but the music and the feeling it evokes lives on and grows even now.

In his social media post the day after, Ebe Dancel said:

“Last night’s show was full of love. (…) Thank you for loving the songs still after all the years. Thank you for keeping me in the music industry for 25 years now. Thank you for making my life most extraordinary. I love you guys. Ebe and Mitch, finally signing off.”

Special thanks to Balcony Entertainment

By Sandra Mae Laureano