ALMOST 40 years ago today, Pinoy rock was young and popular, but with its rebellious stance and hopes daunted by martial law, overshadowed by disco, and chastened by a certain cough syrup. A return to traditional values was the operating social code and the happy-go-lucky sound of the Olongapo-based band Maria Cafra unintentionally fit the mood of the times. Its radio-friendly music offered a genial counterfoil to the restless blues of the scruffy Juan de la Cruz Band.

That hospitable vibe radiated throughout Maria Cafra?s rare gig at RJ Bar recently. It was the ?70s band?s first live performance 20 years after lead guitarist/vocalist Resty Fabunan threw in the towel in frustration over a once flourishing career that was going nowhere.

The jam-packed crowd exploded into lusty cheers as Resty launched into the opening chords to ?Kumusta Mga Kaibigan.? Save for the eyeglasses and short hair, Resty still has the same build and the slight stoop that were his trademark posture all those years ago. Old reliable Rollie Averilla has returned on drums, but Resty?s deceased brother, Jun, has been replaced on bass by the latter?s own son.

Simple rock tunes

In a previous lifetime, Resty was a simple man who played and sang simple rock tunes. At the RJ Bar gig, he prefaced each song with, ?Bahala na!? or ?Pasensiya na kayo.?

He didn?t have to bother with apologies because his core audience understood. As the show progressed, Resty?s bashful stage patter contrasted with the fire and vim with which the reformed band tackled the Maria Cafra songbook.

On the fifth song, Resty told the crowd that he played just that?only five songs?in past concerts. This time, probably buoyed by the electric reception, he proceeded to unload a greatest-hits repertoire that spanned Maria Cafra?s debut album and its unreleased second LP. The band adeptly strung together hits like ?Estranghero,? ?Balatkayo,? and ?Tala sa Umaga,? among others, into a seamless, rocking jam.

Resty introduced ?Sarung Banggi? as an incomplete guitar overture, which turned out to be a monster progressive rocker. In today?s rock lingo, the band traipsed among the best moments of emo, new metal and hard-core to reach the ecstatic release of an explosive ending.

?Exodus?

Follow-up song was the mighty ?Exodus.? By then, the rusty band of an hour ago had reached a glorious momentum of sonic fury and technical dexterity. The only bummer was that Resty?s guitar did not light up in flames a la Hendrix due to a malfunctioning lighter.

Rod Stewart once sang, ?The first cut is the deepest.? The Maria Cafra gig must have etched a much deeper memory on those who kept the faith through the last 20 years.