Philippines Music

Undoubtedly one of the most successful Filipino singers of all time, Lea Salonga (Maria Ligaya Carmen Imutan Salonga-Chien) has achieved worldwide success that other singers can only dream of. Lea is well-known for her portrayal of Kim in Miss Saigon, as well as Eponine. She is also the first Asian to play the said role in Broadway. She is also the first to win an Olivier, Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics, and Theatre World Awards for a single role.

On January 10, 2004, she married Robert Chien, and has a daughter named Beverly Nicole who was born on May 16, 2006. Below are two videos, one of Lea Salonga singing Sun and Moon in Miss Saigon, and another one where she sings Don’t Cry for me Argentina live.

Marifil Nina Girado was born on November 1, 1980 and is more popularly known as Nina. Often dubbed as the Philippine’s Soul Siren, she has released 4 albums to date and is known for her vocal belting. Most people often remark that she looks like Mariah Carey and her vocal ability to sing in whistle register (C3-G7) often adds to the description.

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.

A band based in Cebu, Philippines, Urbandub has been around the music scene since mid-2000 and their first album was released the following year entitled Birth. Urbandub tries to be unique and ultimately, original, and is known for constant experimentation, layered and textured guitars, and great vocals.

The Pin-Up Girls was formed back in 1996 by Mondo Castro (vocals, guitar), Pamela Aquino (vocals, guitar) and Jeng Tan (vocals, bass). They eventually added guitarist Ryan Nachura and drummer Noel Garcia and began performing New Wave covers at local clubs. The band has often been tagged as the first Philippine band to have been signed up under a foreign recording label.

On July 2003, the Pin-Up Girls made their American debut with the critically acclaimed five-track EP Taste Test. The limited edition CD quickly sold out, and the dreamy ballad “Caress” hit No. 1 on NU-107 in the Philippines and on “Flashback Alternatives” in New Jersey.

This video, Power to Unite, was directed by Louie Ignacio and also recently won in the prestigious New York Festivals last February 1. The said music video won a Gold Medal Award under the entertainment category. The music video was produced and the song composed by Elvira Go of the National Bible Quiz, Inc., with Rene Martinez performing the song and Charo Unite providing the melody. This is also the first time for a Filipino to win in the entertainment category in the New York Festivals.

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.

The band Bamboo is a Filipino alternative rock band that was formed in 2002 by the former vocalist of the band Rivermaya, Bamboo Manalac. The band though was not named after the band’ vocalist, instead the band chose the word bamboo to relate to strength and durability and also since it gives a very Filipino and Asian feel at the same time.

The band is composed of Bamboo Manalac, Nathan Azarcon (also formerly from Rivermaya), Ira Cruz and Vic Mercado, former instrumentalists of the band Passage.