IF there is anyone looking for a real rock-and-roll jam in the heart of Makati, RJ Bistro at Jupiter Street in Bel-Air Village is highly recommended. RJ Bistro is considered the premier hangout for those born in the rock-and-roll generation of the 60’s up to the 80’s.

However, yuppies have also begun to form a beeline to the Bistro.

Conveniently located in the heart of the financial district, it caters to the executive crowd who want to unwind and relax after a stressful day at the office. RJ Bistro has become a landmark in Makati. It has become a favorite private party place.You earn bragging rights as the coolest guy in the office if your parties were celebrated at RJ Bistro.

The man behind RJ Bistro is Ramon “ RJ “ Jacinto, of the Jacinto Steel family. Even as a child, RJ was different from his business–oriented siblings. Idolizing the likes of Elvis Presley, Little Richard, Ricky Nelson, The Everly Brothers, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkind, he practiced his guitar for hours. By the age of 17 he had formed his own band, RJ and the Riots.

With huge musical talent and family support behind him, RJ finally decided to break into Pinoy rock-and-roll music business. Less than a year after he formed RJ and the Riots, he already had his own radio show and had produced several albums. To further boost and strengthen his presence, RJ formed a company to distribute his records, set up his own radio station and established a professional recording studio. All these initiatives have successfully established him as an icon of rock-and-roll music in the country.

When Martial Law was declared, things drastically changed for RJ's family. Because they were in opposition to the Marcoses, they lived in exile in the US. RJ found solace from his music. When the dictatorship was toppled by a bloodless revolt in 1986, RJ was the first among his family to come back.

RJ then re - established his foothold in the music industry by investing in radio, television, banking and, more importantly, the restaurant (RJ Bistro) business which he says paved the way for the rebirth of the rock and roll music in the country.

Many restaurants have copied the successful rock-and-roll café concept RJ Bistro has pioneered, and these are providing RJ Bistro with stiff competition. Today, RJ Bistro is keeping pace with the changing times by introducing new concepts to the restaurant business.

For instance, one may be able to watch a live television show being shot inside the restaurant, with the restaurant’s patrons as the live audience. This is an entirely new concept that RJ and his business partners are seriously considering. Indeed, while continuously evolving with the times, RJ Bistro’s music continues to play to satisfy its loyal following.