Romano returns with Chicken Adobo

For somebody like me who still has to learn how to cook, the song Chicken Adobo, which extols the virtues of our native dish and was composed by Mandi Ferrer and performed by singer/actor Romano Vasquez, offers a most interesting prospect. I mean, it makes cooking adobo seems so easy. So I am now thinking, just memorize the song and you will learn how to cook Chicken Adobo, too. See how it goes: “Magpipit ng bawang/ igisa sa mantika/ isunod na isalang/ manok na hiniwa/ lagyan mo ng laurel/ budburan ng paminta/ buhusan mo ng suka.

“Haluin nang maige/ dagdagan ng toyo/ bayaan mo na kumulo/ hanggang sa ito’y maluto.

“Chicken adobo/ Pinoy na Pinoy ang sarap nito/ chicken adobo/ maaadik ka sa sarap nito.

“Masarap sa kanin/ sinangag o bagong saing/ masarap sa tinapay/ pandesal o monay/ (Almusal, tanghalian, meryenda o hapunan).

“Hindi pagsasawaan/ pwede din pulutan/ ipagmamalaki mo ito/ lutuing tunay na Pilipino.”

The album where the song comes from is also titled Chicken Adobo, but it is more than a recipe album or song collection. The release of Chicken Adobo is the most public declaration from Romano that he has now returned from the depths. “I am back,” this recording says and he has the songs to prove it. I remember Romano from many years ago as a member of the boy band Quamo. I asked them why Quamo? From where did they get the name? They said Quamo comes from “Kuha mo?” It was because, the group sang mostly Tagalog adaptations of current pop hits. The sound of the familiar melodies with new lyrics often led to people saying “Kuha mo?” as in did you get what song this is. Sumpa Ko, their version of I Swear by All For One, became a big hit. Needless to say, Romano with his striking good looks was the most popular member. It was the same case when he was part of the afternoon variety show hosted by the late German Moreno, That’s Entertainment, that featured star-struck kids. Romano also stood out, tall and handsome with the most devastating dimples. Back then, it looked like he had the most potential to end up as a screen leading man or singing heartthrob.

However, none of those happened. Romano’s career floundered for years. He exposed his body in sexy roles and took on

small gigs to pay the bills. The pressure eased a bit with a “hosto” job in Japan but the money eventually ran out. Of course, that was only to be expected because Romano, by that time was also hooked on drugs. It was not long after this that he found himself jobless, homeless and unable to shake off the drug problem.

Thanks to the people who never saw him as a loser and whose unwavering support kept him hopeful even when things were at their darkest, Romano is back, singing and acting and even holding down an office job. He is also now married with four kids who mean the world to him. His once sun-shiny countenance now has a hint of gray, a telltale sign of what he had been through, but the well-defined features remain striking. He still has the looks.

And now here is Chicken Adobo to show that he still has the voice. The album has five cuts with matching music minus ones for listeners to sing along with. These are: Chicken Adobo, Hindi Na Mawawalay, Paano Ko Kayo Mapapaligayang Lahat, Muli At Muli and Ito Ang Nararamdaman Ko. Chicken Adobo is cute, gives Romano a chance to rock a bit and is a good attention-grabber but it sticks out like a sore thumb in the album. Romano comes off best with the pop ballads. Hindi Na Mawawalay, if given the push, might just be his comeback hit.

No, I do not know if Romano has released a music video of Chicken

Adobo, but here are the Pinoy artists who have their latest hits in videos in last week’s Pinoy MYX Countdown: Naririnig Mo Ba by Julie Anne San Jose; Parachute by Darren Espanto; Wag Mong Aminin by Rico Blanco; Starlight also by Darren Espanto; Tala by Sarah Geronimo; Parepareho by Banda ni Kleggy feat. Bayang Barrios; Gusto Ko by Grace Note feat. Alexa; Must Be Going Crazy by Alex Diaz; Down by MilesExperience; Mr. Pakipot by Myrtle Sarrosa. Gising by Autotelic; Higher by Quest; Di Ko Alam by Enchong Dee; Bitaw by Rayver Cruz; Reyna by Derrick Monasterio; Binibini Sa MRT by The Juans; The Deed by Hi-C; Kung Pwede Lang by Sabrina; Pasa Dios by Young JV feat. Vice Ganda; and I’ll Never Love This Way Again by Gary Valenciano.