Nonoy Zuñiga celebrates five decades in entertainment biz

Nonoy Zuñiga was born on May 4, 1954, and christened Zeno Obong Zuñiga.

- BABY A. GIL

From left: Nina, Pops Fernandez, Dulce and Lani Misalucha join Nonoy as featured guests.

His father, a physician, decided that the names of all his children should begin with the letter Z. Hence Nonoy was named Zeno, and he has siblings named Zion, Zooey and Zebedee.

Nonoy was brought up to become a doctor like his dad. But like also his dad, he could sing. He started out in church, most notably during services at the Sacred Heart Parish Church in Kamuning.

As he grew up, Nonoy started doing little gigs, singing and playing the guitar in folk houses around the area. Soon, word got around about the young man with a great voice.

Nonoy was recruited into the Family Birth Control Band in 1975, which became a big draw in Manila's famous entertainment spots. Given the band's penchant for disco and R&B numbers, Nonoy became the standout soloist with his Lou Rawls kind of baritone.

Among the other members of the Family Birth Control Band were Marissa Martin, Ed Evidente, Gigi Sanchez, Edwin Valente, Aida Evidente, Jess Balmaceda, Nilo Villanueva and Dexter Ansay.