Reflex Band in Chongqing, China

May 11th, 2008 | Category: China

One of the bands that I watched the most in Chongqing was the Reflex Band. The band consisted of a sequencer (Homer) and two Filipina singers (Leanne and Myra). It was great to hear them sing oldies from Tina Turner, Celine Dion, the Carpenters, and many other hits from the past. The sequencer would set up their line up and play the music for the band to sing. They all took turns singing. The band was fun to listen to, but one of them had an angelic voice, the other two sounded like they were singing in a karaoke bar which wasn’t very professional or interesting to listen to. Myra’s voice was unique and could match the voices of each song she was singing. She was definitely an experienced singing with a lot of talent. As time went by, I really got to know the band and what they were like in person. Just like any real person, they all had their own story of where they came from and what they have done to get up to this point.

They started to sing at the Hilton Hotel in Chongqing. After their gig, they went home to the Philippines and then came back to sing for a new company, Mexin. They were offered their own bar as long as they sing on Mexin’s daily parade and at their main office. It was another exciting opportunity. By the time the band was together again after their trip to the Philippines, the band was having difficulties with the Mexin company. They would be singing in poor working conditions and would be getting paid lower than what they should be getting. This turned out to be a really different experience they weren’t expecting.

Homer seemed like a kind and gentle person who was the master behind the keyboard. He insisted that his music took days to create when it sounded like he just copied them from the internet. Sometimes he would play the piano without the sequencer music, so his limited talents did shine through. I got to know him personally and he did seem friendly and kind. It’s too bad for his two wives and baby in the Philippines. He met a Chinese girl and fell in love with her. It might have been just to get away from his wives, but I’m sure that Chinese girl won’t find out. He gave me all of the songs he created, so if you are interested, post a comment and I’ll send them to you. It’s just background music you would find in a karaoke.

Leanne was an entertaining person who had a child and husband back in the Philippines. That didn’t stop her from constantly flirting with new guys and starting a new relationship. She is now engaged believe it or not. Maybe it’s a new beginning, I’m not sure. Her limited talents almost got her kicked out of the band while singing in Chongqing. It was homers idea to send her home weeks after she arrived in Chongqing for their first gig. Leanne did stay after Myra convinced Homer to change his mind. What else can I really say about her?

Myra was the talented one in the group. She could sing like Tina Turner or even Michael Bolton. She was always pushing to sing new songs that could fit her voice. Her voice was powerful and was nice to listen to. When Myra went to Chongqing, her son was only seven years old. She had to go back to the Philippines at one point in time because her son had a serious health problem with one of his kidneys. It was too big and was leaking poisons into his body. The kidney was ultimately removed from his body. Her son is still a healthy boy that has a lot of energy. Myra was a strong person who fought for her band when they were freezing cold, singing in the parade at Mexin. They wouldn’t allow the band to bring a heater since it might take too much power from the wagon they were riding. Myra was the one who put everything on the line to get what her band needed when Homer and Leanne stayed back and said nothing. She’s a smart person who knows what’s right.

By the time Myra was ready to leave the band and go back to the Philippines, she signed a paper saying she was going to retire from the band. After she signed her release form, the band wanted her to pay for her replacements return ticket from the Philippines. That was in the original agreement made with Mexin. Myra and Leanne agreed that Myra would only pay for a one way ticket. They even signed a paper saying Myra would only pay to what they agreed. The reason why Myra was going to pay for a one way ticket was because Leanne was bringing her sister to replace Myra. Leanne was going to pay for the other way of the ticket. That should have been the end of the story. After a while, Leanne changed her mind and wanted Myra to pay for the entire return ticket. They wanted Myra to sign another paper, forgetting about the original agreement they had made. Leanne and Mexin were trying to get around the agreement that was originally made. This made Leanne and Mexin seem like they weren’t looking out for their employee, Myra. In Mexin’s defense, they were saying they are looking out for their employee, Leanne, which wasn’t fair to Myra. Myra did end up paying for the return ticket since Mexin was threatening Myra that she couldn’t leave the Philippines since they were going to file a complaint in the Philippines. Mexin should have followed the agreement that Myra and Leanne made and there wouldn’t have been any problems.

All of this actually happened in Chongqing. Could you imagine what everyone was going through? What would you have done in any of those people’s positions? It’s just an example of how some people change and act differently when they are not in their own country. Have you ever experienced anything like this before? If you would like a copy of the sequencer music that was made by the Reflex Band, please post a comment.

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