Albert and Menchie met in the ’70s, when both were solo artists in Manila. Albert was then tagged the “Don McLean exponent,” who charmed his audiences with his charismatic rendition of Vincent, Empty Chairs, And I Love You So.
Although Don McLean’s music played a major part in Albert’s career, he never limits his range and performs cover tunes of other famous artists like Cat Stevens, Neil Young, America, Crosby, Stills and Nash. His being a singer-songwriter earned him the respect of music lovers and fellow musicians.
Menchie herself was an established act in the folk-pop circuit in the ’70s, regaling audiences with her infectious style as she renders the hits of Janis Ian, Carly Simon, Carole King and Stevie Nicks.
After they met, they formed the Albert and Menchie duo which instantly gathered their own following with their impressive vocal harmony, performing at Hyatt Hotel along Roxas Blvd. and then at Pines Hotel in Baguio.
The duo’s first engagement abroad was in Singapore. In 1982, they were sent to Lisse in The Netherlands to represent the Philippines in the annual Flower and Music Festival. Then they performed in Belgium, Germany and London.
In 1987, Lion Brewery, which owns a chain of hotels in New Zealand, signed up the duo to a six-month contract. Soon after, Albert and Menchie was sponsored to become New Zealand citizens, so they can continue performing in the hotels.
As their three sons grew up, the boys imbibed their parents’ music genes . Hence, it is not surprising that they started performing onstage.
Jake enjoys it that when he performs. He gets to be the “big boss” of the family since he is band leader and lead guitarist. Albert does the line-up of songs in the repertoire while Jake does the arrangements.
“It’s a challenge to perform with my mom and dad,” Jake says. “They are parents at home, but they are musicians onstage.”
After 16 years in New Zealand, the family moved to Goldcoast, Australia in 2003, where the boys expanded their music career and formed their own band called DNA Rock “because we have the same DNA,” beams Don, a finalist in the Australian Pop Star search in 2004.
When not onstage with their parents, the guys play the music of Creed, Nickelback and Red Hot Chili Peppers. They also write their own music, including Tagalog songs.