Rogel Africa points to the crowd as Valley of Chrome performs on stage at SM City Sta. Rosa in Laguna. Photo by: Kimmy Baraoidan

You got to love it when things fall into the place. We were going to shoot a skateboarding competition last Sunday, September 6 in Sta. Rosa, Laguna. Coincidentally, Valley of Chrome was playing at SM City Sta. Rosa that day. I sent text messages to Rogel, Tatel, and Jordan, and let them know that I was in the area as well and that I might be able to drop by and watch them play. The show was supposed to start at 6:00 p.m., and I was optimistic that the skateboarding competition would have been done by then. And luckily enough, the competition was over at around 5:30 p.m.

We arrived just in time at SM City Sta. Rosa. It was only a short jeepney ride away from the skate park, and I still had time for a quick bathroom break. Manila Under Fire was playing first, so we didn’t hurry. A stage was set up by the terminal beside the mall. From afar, we could already hear the music and the crowd. When we reached the stage area, I went straight to the side of the stage where a black cloth was made into a makeshift backstage. There were security guards and organizers manning the area, which was off-limits to fans.

Kaloi Cambaliza and Rogel Africa of Valley of Chrome. Photo by: Chris Quintana

Tatel Marcelino of Valley of Chrome. Photo by: Kimmy Baraoidan