Valentine’s Day might have come a few days late for those who were in Eastwood last Sunday evening, but it was nonetheless sweet –the kind tinged with nostalgia, small teary-eyed moments and the widest of smiles. Barbie’s Cradle was part of the acts for the Valentine Reunion gigs hosted by Megaworld Lifestyle malls around the Metro. After performing at Venice Piazza on the 14th and Lucky Chinatown on the 15th, Eastwood was the last venue that showcased a significant moment in the Filipino music scene: the reunion of Barbie’s Cradle.

Barbie’s Cradle, after all this time, remains to be one of the most prominent female-fronted bands in the history of OPM. From their introduction in 1998 until their disbandment in 2005, the band had released 3 iconic albums, featuring mellow but catchy Christian-themed songs that were both inspirational as they were.

In fact, if you were alive and conscious during the late 90’s, it would have been impossible to ignore them. Who can forget “Tabing Ilog”? It’s the soundtrack for the hit weekend noontime soap opera of the same title in the 90’s. Remember the too-di-doo-doo’s and the repeated Sing all you like of “Money for Food”? Or the lines “Inside of my heart is an army of angels” from “All I Need”? There’s also the Ryan Cayabyab-composed song titled “Limang Dipang Tao” with a music video that featured the band’s cheery dancing and jumping around to while playing? And well, you couldn’t have missed the “One good day coming up” from “Good Day” which the band performed for a coffee advertisement on TV.

With the charming Barbie Almalbis, bassist Rommel dela Cruz, drummer Wendell Garcia and guitarist Kakoi Legaspi, Barbie’s Cradle was once again whole. When they got together on the same stage, they drew a large crowd composed of many hardcore fans and lots of curious spectators. Their songs have now become classics, and the audience knew the words and melodies well to sing along with them like they were in yesterday’s hit chart. Except for the four songs mentioned above they also played “The Dance”, “Goodnyt”, “Pag-ibig”, “Independence Day”, “012” and the two songs which were originally by the Hungy Young Poets, “Torpe” and “Firewoman”.

In the history of OPM, we have been graced by the existence of such amazing bands and repeatedly, we have dealt with the horror of their breaks and disbandment. Fortunately enough, we get this rare chance to see them come together onstage once again. Whether or not Barbie’s Cradle will get together for new projects remains open to speculation, but whatever the case, seeing them play their most loved songs live and being with a bunch of people who share those sentiments is nothing short of golden.

By Sandra Mae Laureano