On Hiatus, Reunions, and Looking Forward

Some 15 years passed by between these two photos

Well it's no secret that since we've decided to push forward with releasing new songs, we have been in constant collaborations with different artists to interpret our songs. And as had been told in this blog about our chief vocalists' hiatus as she prioritizes family life, I've finally found the time to travel to Cebu to meet up with Thrina. After 15 LONG YEARS. It was a good time to catch up and just swap stories about the years that went by. It still feels surreal to see Thrina with her family considering that we started this project when she was around 14 years old back then. I have a 14 year old son now, and somehow the reunion made me feel so old.

I think through the years, Thoughts And Notions had morphed into more than just a band. Along with Wilbert Tan, we've always tried to push the songs of Thoughts And Notions forward even when Thrina was in a hiatus. But somehow, it always felt different to continue on with this project without Thrina bringing life to our songs. That's why if you have been following closely with what was written in this blog since our comeback from 2022, I have always emphasized that Thrina continues to be a part of this project. Thrina has and is will always be the voice of Thoughts And Notions. And we are just here waiting for her to reclaim her spot. So yeah, we definitely talked some about it. But right now we can't disclose yet what's next for us. As we are just focusing on trying to improve our craft. 

I personally feel that my songwriting has fallen off compared to the old materials that we wrote. I was more comfortable writing songs knowing that Thrina was the one to interpret. After all, I had a security blanket of two full length albums of 21 songs all interpreted by her. So the recent releases proved to be a bit of a challenge for us music wise. Because we also had to consider who would be interpreting the songs. But I guess we were able to give it our best shot. Though not to say that I am not proud of the releases that we've made. Those were still some pretty good artists that we've worked with. I'm just not sure if I've did my part for their output to shine through. But early this year we also did decide to go on a hiatus ourselves. Just to recharge, recuperate, and better ourselves. Perhaps find new inspirations as we look to the future. Especially that I've decided to join our country's association of prestigious songwriters in FILSCAP. 

Last month I also experienced a reunion of some sort when my all-time favorite OPM band Rivermaya reunited for a live concert (not to mention that me and Wilbert reunited a week prior). Although I am not a part of the band, but I somehow also felt the emotions that the band must have went through. Especially that I continue to communicate with Rivermaya's drummer, Mark Escueta, through the years with regards to the band. It probably also didn't help that me and some of my high-school friends watched the show together (we even got Bamboo and Mark to greet us on video). To be reunited through the songs that we used to sang and enjoy when we were still young. To not know what the future holds as it was then, and as it is now. Sometimes nostalgia makes you long for the yesteryears when everything was at its beginning. When you started something filled with hope as you jump into the abyss of not knowing what the future holds. I think these past two months had me enveloped in a nostalgic feeling. Probably the after effects of being trapped in a bubble when the dreaded Covid pandemic hit us.      

This photo definitely needs an update

So I'm definitely looking forward to what this reunion would bring. Though I don't want to jump the gun at this early stage. But I am very hopeful to what the future brings. Whatever happens, I've come to accept that Thoughts And Notions is more than just about the music. It's a ministry and also a family when three individuals decided to write and sing songs to honor God. And while that was many years ago, we are here now with our own families. With our better halves and kids that might be the future of Thoughts And Notions. So I guess it is our responsibility to keep the songs alive. And hopefully one day would serve as our legacy of the friendship of three clueless individuals that didn't know what they got themselves into. And to preserve that legacy as we bequeath it to the next generation. 

But above all, Thoughts And Notions will always be a reminder that this project existed and continues to exist only because we seek to glorify and honor God. And hopefully to share it to the next generation about how God's grace brought everyone together for this project. I'm just thankful that this extended family that we've started with Thoughts And Notions continues to be blessed to this day even if everyone is miles apart from each other. That's one of the things that I've hoped and prayed for ever since we've been apart from each other. To see everyone who had been a part of our journey with Thoughts And Notions doing well with their respective families. Because God continues to bless us.

So whatever the future may hold, safe to say, this may be the beginning of our Countdown to Forever.