CLARK N' ROLL, THE HARD ROCK CAFE WAY

I walked into the men’s room as the frontman of one of the bands for the night, Pyromania, blasted Guns N’ Roses’ Nightrain from his mobile phone at modest mayhem levels.

- IGAN D'BAYAN

He was like a prizef ighter in the dressing room, psyching himself before getting in the ring. I was sure once I stepped out, the man would let out a guttural bellow like Axl Rose strapped in a chair of a city’s gas chamber. That was the vibe at the launch of Hard Rock Café Clark in Hann Casino Resort, Pampanga. It’s so fortunate that, with the roll of the dice, we get to indulge in the burgers (try the Messi Burger), cocktails (try the Hurricane), everreliable brews (try everything) and old-school rock n’ roll music, any ol’ way you choose it. All served with a side of swagger.

Right there: at the former Clark Air Base — ghosted with fighter jets and servicemen — which is now known as the Clark Freeport hub — soon to be peppered even more with restaurants, parks, hotels and casinos. This is a testament to the province’s penchant for reinvention. How coincidental since rock ‘n’ roll (in the hands of people like Zappa, Van Halen or, yes, GNR) is about the push-and-pull of invention and reinvention.

“We are glad to open the third Hard Rock Café in the Philippines, welcoming Clark to the Hard Rock family,” said Tom Perez, VP of franchise operations, Hard Rock International.

“We are ready to make a positive impact on the hospitality and entertainment sector of Central Luzon by offering yet another wonder for tourists and locals to visit this part of the Philippines.”