MANILA, Philippines — Before Mt. Pinatubo erupted on June 12, 1991, Angeles City had always been known for its nightlife.

American GIs who were on “R&R” (rest and recreation) since the time of the Vietnam War had come to their American base in Clark would flood the city streets of Angeles for a good time.

But Pinatubo spoiled all that fun, burying the city and much of Central Luzon in tons of ash and lahar. Experts said it was the biggest volcanic eruption in modern history. Pinatubo also shooed away the Americans, who were at that time besieged by a growing clamor that they leave Clark.

In September 1991, the Philippine Senate, in a historic move, voted down the extension of the US-RP Military Bases Agreement, effectively terminating the tenancy of the US in all its military bases in the country, including Clark and Subic.

More than a year into the Pinatubo eruption in October 1992, Angeles City was still a devastated city, with many of its rich citizens leaving and disposing their homes at basement prices. October was the fiesta month for Angeles, but gloom still enveloped the city.

Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan, an occasional rock ’n roller, was still in a bind as well. How to get the city back on its feet, after the “double whammy” caused by the volcano and the sudden vacuum left by the Americans (even if Pamintuan was an anti-base activist himself), was a challenge he had to face.

The idea hit him like a rock on the head. He blurted out to his friends later: “Let’s rock n’ roll!”

Tigtigan, terakan keng dalan (singing and dancing in the streets) was born.

The idea was to bring back the very element that characterized Angeles City: Fun.

Pamintuan, together with his chief of staff and comrade in the anti-bases movement Alex Cauguiran, persuaded the owners of the business establishments that were affected by the volcano, mainly restaurants and bars, to open up shop, and bring out their tables and chairs along MacArthur Highway for an all-night singing and dancing to literally rouse up the city and get its citizens to go out and conquer the gloom with rock n’ roll.

He also talked to his band and other musicians of the city to put up their acts again in several points of MacArthur highway.