The night of the Northern Lads album launch was one of those rare evenings where music transcended mere entertainment—it became a shared experience, a collective heartbeat in the dimly lit venue. The air was thick with nostalgia, with every note and lyric woven from decades of passion and persistence. At the center of it all stood Ronald Mendoza, eyes closed, fingers effortlessly strumming his guitar, his voice carrying the weight of a thousand stories.

The Humble Beginnings

Ronald’s journey into music began in his early teens, armed with just a handful of guitar chords and a growing curiosity. “I started joining open mic sessions, jamming with regular performers in bars—back when they were still known as beer gardens or beer houses in the ’70s,” he recalls with a hint of chuckle. “Most of my performances were at ‘inuman sessions.’” It was an era where music wasn’t just played; it was lived, breathed, and passed around in circles of friends with clinking bottles and long conversations.

But life, as it often does, led him elsewhere. He set aside his guitar, swapping melodies for a stable career as an OFW. Years passed, the music fading into the background—until a songwriting competition in Dubai reignited the fire. “After a long while, I put down my pen and guitar… but I rebooted my career again, and I’m still rocking up to the present.”

The Soul of Folk Rock

Mendoza is often referred to as the Soul of Folk Rock, a title that seems to fit him as naturally as the songs he writes. “I think the essence of it is embedded in my artist’s DNA. It comes out naturally because I’ve been a fan of folk rock from the beginning,” he explains. “Ano man yung maisulat kong letra at akorde na matugtog ko, the essence reflects on it.”

Growing up in a musical household, his parents—though not professional singers—were avid music lovers. The echoes of The Beatles, Don McLean, James Taylor, Asin, and Florante filled their home, nurturing his artistic sensibilities. This foundation allowed him to craft a sound that is both deeply personal and universally resonant.

The Indie Struggle and Triumph

Like many independent artists in the Philippines, Mendoza has faced his share of struggles. He laughs at the irony of being “Indie-ka nababayaran, Indie-ka napapansin!” But behind the humor is a reality that many musicians know too well: the journey is a solitary one, where an artist wears many hats—composer, performer, manager, and promoter. “If you’re lucky, a management or promotional team will help you on your journey, but it’s a luxury.”

And yet, despite these challenges, Ronald has continued to push forward, creating music that speaks to the soul, finding his audience one heartfelt performance at a time.

A Night to Remember: The Northern Lads Album Launch

At the Northern Lads album launch, Mendoza was more than just a performer—he was a storyteller, a bridge between past and present. The emotion in his performance was palpable, and the audience felt it too. “I was delighted,” he shares. “I wanted the crowd to feel that music is always there for them.”

The energy of the night was electric, the kind of atmosphere where every lyric hits a little deeper, where every strum carries a memory. The audience wasn’t just listening—they were living the songs alongside him.

Looking Back, Moving Forward

If given a time machine, Mendoza knows exactly where he’d go. “I’d go back to my late teens and tell my younger self, ‘I am the reflection of everything you do right now. You are doing a good job. Hold on tight. Malayo pa tayo pero malayo na din.’”

And perhaps, that’s what his music is—a message to his past, a guidepost for the present, and a legacy for the future. Ronald Mendoza is more than just the Soul of Folk Rock—he is a testament to the power of perseverance, passion, and the unbreakable bond between an artist and his craft.