Mike Hanopol: Transformation of a Rock in Roll Artists for the Glory of GOD

Mike Hanopol is a Filipino revolutionary singer, veteran musician, guitarist, pop artist and a recording artist. He is also a Pinoy rock icon and legend. Mike Hanopol is a pioneer of rock music in the Philippines during the 1970s, together with Pepe Smith and Wally Gonzales. He was a former bass guitarist of the famous Pinoy rock band called Juan Dela Cruz Band. In his career as a musician, he produced twenty albums. Three of his albums became Gold prize awardees while another three received the Aliw Awards. His trademark is the beret, leather clothing, and his Steinberger guitar. He was the teacher and songwriter for another famous Filipino rock band known as HAGIBIS. HAGIBIS was formed earlier than Juan Dela Cruz band.

 

He later became a born-again Christian. Shortly, he renewed Christian Catholic religion.

Mike Hanopol was born in Leyte, Philippines. He started his career as a guitarist at the age of nine during the late 1960s. In his life as a musician, his maternal grandmother Nanay Inday was the most influential person in him. She makes him love music because during Hanopol’s childhood, Nanay Inday puts him to sleep by playing the guitar. At 14 years old, he was already earning money as a musician. He became a bandleader as a seminarian. In 1967, Mike Hanopol joined his band to play music in Vietnam, one semester away for being a college student. His decision to go to Vietnam was against the wishes of his father. As a result, he and his father did not talk to each other for nine years.

 

Despite of being a rock and roll star, Mike Hanopol’s experience in the seminary made him to compose song lyrics based on Bible passages. Examples of these are the first two stanzas of his song entitled Balong Malalim (Deep Well) which were based on the Book of John. He also writes songs that conveys important messages or advices. Example for these is his song Laki Sa Layaw, a song that expresses an advice of avoiding arrogance. Laki Sa Layaw song was also known as Laki Sa Layaw Jeproks. It is his trademark and favorite song.

 

Mike Hanopol released his album entitled Lagablab, under Warner Music Philippines. Lagablab is a 10-track guitar album that features inspiring and original compositions meant to impart life’s lesson to the younger generation of Filipinos. Even in that album, it also contains songs that were based on the Book of Psalms and Ten Commandments. The album is a collection of jazz, rock, hip-hop, rap, fusion, and ballad genre of music. The rap song is specially performed by the Filipino rapper Francis Magalona.

 

Mike Hanopol decided to leave the Philippines and lived in the North Miami beach area of South Florida, United States. His album Pilyong Bata was produced in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. In 1983, he transferred to New York City. He went there to play music with some Filipino and American bands. After that, he went back to North Miami beach area. In 1993, he returned to the Philippines.

 

He has a daughter named Michelle, a medical doctor nicknamed “Yummy”.

Mike Hanopol was recognized in Asia and the Western world. He is a frequent show-opener for concerts such as in Asian performances held by Western rock artists Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin. He formed an Asian pop band and named it Tribu Kemistri. The band contains a group of musician who can play rock, ethnic rhythms, and new age music.