A Filipino rock band that was formed back in 1993, Parokya ni Edgar is famous for its original rock novelty songs and often sarcastic covers of famous songs. Parokya ni Edgar has also explored and experimented with various musical genres, from alternative rock to pop rock, funk, rapcore, among others.
The band Cueshe is a pop-rock group originally from Cebu City. In 2005, they released hit singles like “Stay,” “Sorry,” “Ulan,” “24 Hours,” and “Can’t Let You Go.” The band is a popular favorite among many, but critics and detractors have labeled them as a one-hit wonder. With the release of their new album, hopefully the band will prove them otherwise.
After Image was a Filipino pop rock band that was active during the 1990’s. They popularized songs like “Habang May Buhay,” “Next In Line,” and “Mangarap Ka.” The band was made up of 5 members: Bobit Uson on bass, Chuck Isidro (formerly of 6cyclemind) on lead, Rogie Callejo on drums, Arnold Cabalza on keyboards and Wency Cornejo on vocals. Francis Reyes from The Dawn was the former guitarist of this band before Chuck Isidro.
Due to manager conflicts, the band disbanded in 2001 and after 7 years of being disbanded, the group returned with a new album, “The Place in the Sun” with the carrier single “Musikero.”
For After Image fans like myself, you’ll surely love the song, plus the great video. It’s great that the band’s back together and making music again. I’d have to say that After Image has grown and is a whole lot better than before.
Known as the Philippine’s Queen of Soul, Jaya is a Philippine singer with African-American ancestry. Born Maria Luisa Ramsey, she started as a backup dancer for her mother Elizabeth Ramsey, a comedienne-singer. Jaya is now one of the hosts of SOP, a noontime show she co-hosts with Regine Velasquez, Kyla, and Ogie Alcasid.
South Border is one of the popular Philippine bands that have released love songs that were played on almost every radio station. But as good things are not always meant to last, South Border has gone through its share of ups and downs. Having replaced members more often than they release albums, Jay Durias is the only original member that has stayed and has continued to create music that thrills its fans.
The band Hale’s first single “Broken Sonnet” was an instant hit - the song’s sincerity instantly caught the attention of the Philippine youth and the rest was history.
All of the members from the southern part of Metro Manila and with vocalist Champ Lui-Pio, Hale is under EMI Philippines and continues to make hits since the 1st quarter of 2005.
Before I Let You Go is a very lonely song about a person reminiscing the good old days when they were still together with their loved one. Unfortunately, things have to end and they must part ways. It’s a song saying how one feels losing someone you love, and things you wish you had done and said when you were still together, but everything is too late.
One of the most influential alternative rock bands in the Philippines along with The Eraserheads, Rivermaya has several well-known singles such as Ulan, 214, Himala, Kisap Mata, If, You’ll Be Safe Here, and many others.
The band was formed in 1993 and has evolved from playing simple rock music to hard rock, acoustic, pop, and other variations. They have also recently released work in Singapore, Thailand, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia and have garnered the attention of fans throughout Southeast Asia.
6CycleMind is a well-known Philippine rock band whose members are Ronel “Ney” Dimaculangan on lead vocals, Ryan “Rye” Sarmiento on vocals & rhythm, Roberto “Bob” Cañamo on bass, Gilbert “Bert” Magat on guitars and Carlos “Chuck” Isidro lead guitars. Their music is a mix of alternative and pop music.
The band was named 6CycleMind although the band is only composed of 5 members because they consider their manager to be the 6th member. They have successfully released 3 albums under Sony BMG Records Philippines: Permission to Shine (2003), Panorama (2005), and Home (2007).
Dubbed as the R&B Prince, Jay-R (Gaudencio Aquino Sillona III) is one of the regular mainstays of the noontime show SOP along with other artists like Ogie Alcasid, Regine Velasquez, and is often paired with Kyla, the Philippine’s R&B Princess.
Jay-R’s music is a mixture of rap, pop, and R&B, but his vocal range is not to be undermined as he can easily belt out to different tunes and can do duets with the country’s premier singers. The video below is Jay-R with Kyla, singing a duet of Stick with You by the Pussycat Dolls on SOP.