Coke Studio Season 3 : Sarah Geronimo with This Band

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WE’RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER

For many Filipinos, home is not a place. Home is family. For the season 3 Coke Studio episode that focuses on family feels, the artists featured feel a strong and particular resonance for the idea of family.

Sarah Geronimo

Sarah Geronimo has often been praised for her love and devotion to her family. “I really love my family and all the sacrifices they have made for me. Whatever happens in life, wherever my career takes me, God gave me a gift that grounds me and keeps me humble, so that I know who I am,” she declares. She also adds that being invited to be part of Coke Studio Season 3 is like being invited to a family reunion of sorts. “When I used to see the Coke Studio billboard, when I would get stuck in traffic, I found it so cool, and I really thought to myself, ‘Wow, I wish that I could be a part of that.’"

This Band are Andrea Manzano (vocals), Euwie Von Loria(guitar), Miccael Galvan (bass), John Kenneth Macaranas(drums), Melvin Carson (keyboard) and Reymart Gubat(lead guitar). They consider themselves as a family, since they all grew up near each other. They started their career jamming in the food parks around their neighborhood. They also consider Sarah part of their extended showbiz family because of their management group. Euwie says, “But at first, we couldn’t believe that this early in our career, we could be working with her. It’s as if our career will be fast-tracked, things are going beyond what we imagined.”  

This Band

Andrea adds, “And we’re so happy that we get to remake her song, because her music is really part of the soundtrack of our lives."

And just like in a real family, Sarah feels like an older sister, and she can pass on some wisdom to her young colleagues. Sarah reminisces, “When I was starting out, what was important, yung maging plakado. But now, the young ones, they’re so free. And that’s great because what really matters with any performance, is that you put your heart into it. So I would just remind them to always put your all into a performance.” 

Watch how Sarah Geronimo and This Band collaborate for Coke Studio Season 3. Catch them this coming October 26, at 10:00 a.m. on ABS-CBN or online at www.youtube.com/CokeStudioPH .

ADULTING #FEELS ON COKE STUDIO SEASON 3

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Rapper Al James and indie band Lola Amour felt an instant rapport when they met to discuss their Coke Studio Season 3 collaboration. 

“Match yung energy namin! They’re all so young so you feel that youthful vibe from them,” Al James said of their first meeting. 

On Lola Amour’s part, lead singer Pio Dumayas has this to say on working with a hip-hop artist, “We really believe that there is strength in numbers and so adding one more genre to the music can only be good. For us, we were just thinking of what could make a great song.”

Lola Amour is composed of eight musicians, seven of whom were part of a marching band in De La Salle Zobel and the youngest member is from the Philippine High School of the Arts. Joining Pio are backing vocalist and keyboardist Martin Kim, backing vocalist and bassist Raymond King, guitarist Mico Fernandez, guitarist Zoe Gonzales, trumpeter Angelo Messina, saxophonist JoxxPerez and drummer Renzo Santos. 

Raymond speaks for the band when he says, “Music is what keeps us sane…especially at this stage when we’re starting to face responsibilities…adulting na kami!” 

And Al echoes this sentiment. “Early on, from childhood, music started as an escape from reality until it became a kind of therapy, especially ngayon sa life and career ko…”

Pio puts it this way—"Music is what helps us to see, to see each other and who we really are.” And who they are is a unique combination of verve, spunk and swag, all rising to the challenge of adulting under the spotlight.

Watch Al James and Lola Amour as they collaborate on Coke Studio Season 3. Catch them on October 19, Saturday, at 10 a.m. on ABS-CBN or on https://www.youtube.com/CokeStudioPH.

Taste the sounds of Pinoy music as KZ Tandingan and Apl De Ap collaborate for Coke Studio Season 2

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KZ TANDINGAN AND APL DE AP: WE WILL ALWAYS RETURN HOME 

If there’s one thing we Pinoys love, it’s a good underdog story. And it’s even better when that underdog goes way beyond our shores to fly the Pinoy pride flag. Then, when we know that they choose to return to the Philippines and spread the love, then it’s the modern day edition of the fairy tale, with a particularly Pinoy twist. For the finale of Coke Studio Season Two, artists who have conquered the international arena come together for a surprise collaboration that captures the soulful and complex journey of each and every Filipino proving their worth to the world. 

KZ first came to national prominence when she won a major reality show on one of the country’s top free television networks. She joined the contest so that her family could help out in the building of their parish church. She became a part of ABS CBN’s Sunday variety show ASAP and also sang theme songs for Star Cinema movies. But KZ went way beyond her comfort zone when she joined a singing contest in Beijing where she trended on the Chinese equivalent of Twitter, aka Weibo. “Even if the schedule would allow me to be home only for one day, I would go. I just couldn't be away from home too long. Home is where I can just really be myself and I needed to feel that so I could be my best at the competition.” 

Apl de Ap, born Allan Pineda Lindo, was actually legally blind as a child and this condition qualified him for an operation in America, sponsored by the Pearl S. Buck foundation. When he got to California and settled there, he then befriended a neighbor, William James, who then became more famous as rapper and songwriter Will.i.am; Apl then went on to worldwide phenomenal success. They won Grammy’s and sold -out stadiums and arenas all over the world. But Apl always made it a point to remember his roots. “I try to follow in the footsteps of those who came before me. The Pearl S. Buck foundation helped me and so I want to do the same. If I come back to help my countrymen, it’s because I love my country and want to see us be competitive among the best in the world.” In this light, he has set up the Apl de Ap foundation, which concentrates on empowering Filipino youth especially in the fields of arts and technology. On a personal note, he says, for him coming home can be summed up in three words. “Family. Food. Festive.” 

When it was time for KZ and Apl to collaborate, it is reasonable to imagine that the younger KZ would be intimidated.

“I had followed Season 1, and did want to be included but when it was time to meet Apl and also start recording, I was a bit quiet. He was always asking me, ‘how do you feel about it?’ or ‘how would you change it?’ And my first thought would always be, ‘Who am I to do that? What gives me the right to tell you anything?’ But after a while , I would give my inputs and suggestions, and I think I was able to add my own flavor to it. He allowed me to see that my complexity can be my strength. And so our song reflects the story of the Filipino who has to go away, how they manage their fears. ” 

 Apl says of their song, “It’s the story of every Filipino. It’s about trials and tribulations. It’s about having to to seek a better life.” 

 When he is traveling, Apl loves it when he lands at an airport with a lot of Filipinos who love to call out to him, “Kabayan.” He reveals, “They know that I know what they’re going through. I did what they’re doing.” KZ also gets a rush when she does shows for the Filipino communities abroad. “When they come to our shows, it’s a way for them to get to feel they’re at home, even if they’re still far from home.” 

For both KZ and Apl, music is also their home, and through music they can bring that feeling of home to all who share in their art. 

Taste the sounds of Pinoy music as KZ Tandingan and Apl De Ap collaborate for Coke Studio Season 2. Catch them on November 18, at 11:15 a.m. before ASAP on ABS-CBN or on www.youtube.com/CokeStudioPH

Sam Concepcion X Ben&Ben : We are Family

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Whatever the genre, whatever the era, good music will contain the seeds of universal truths. While most songs are understandably about romantic love, it still is notable that there are few songs about the love that can be found in the family.

Ben & Ben

 Ben & Ben are especially qualified to be part of a song about family because they are literally related as well as a family that was formed by love for music. And song writer and guitarist Paolo Benjamin Guico shares, “ became part of our band!” 

So bonded are Ben and Ben that for their interview, they refused to begin until all nine members were present and ready to begin. The band was started by twins Paolo Miguel Guico and Miguel Benjamin Guico, hence their band name; and has now grown to include Poch Barretto on lead guitar, Jam Villanueva on drums, Agnes Resona on bass, Patricia Lasaten on keyboards, Ton Muñoz on percussion, and backing vocals and Kiefer Cabugao on vocals. For all of them to bond so strongly and effortlessly with Sam Concepcion, not just on the songwriting but on the performing and recording as well, is proof positive that music can truly unite people. 

 “We just connected as a family, sakto lang talaga” Sam insists. 

Sam Concepcion

“Talking about the family can be so cheesy, too cheesy! And sometimes, the emotions can also be too close to home,” admits Paolo. 

“Maybe it’s just easier to talk about love in general, than to say that its about a family,” Sam supposes when asked about the rarity of songs that delve into the dynamics of a family. Very early on in the process, they all honed in on that aspect of going back to your roots. “Just go back, go back , that was very clear. To what family is and what a beautiful story that can be,” Sam reveals. It was a good parallel to their process. 

 “Yes, it could have been difficult, we’re all very different people but what made us gel is that we all felt the same about the family.” 

The Ben and Ben family all admit that while their songs might be smooth and easy to listen to, there are some deep and potentially heartbreaking aspects to their lyrics as well. “We’re nine so that’s nine different experiences from nine different families, so we find what can cross the all that,” Agnes observes. 

But even with all that, Paolo says it was easy to find their groove. “It really just happened.” Miguel then adds, “Even if we had to build the song slowly, everyone just understood the feeling we wanted.” 

 Paolo then says, “And once we started jamming , there was just that magic of playing together.” 

Taste the sounds of Pinoy music as Sam Concepcion and Ben&Ben collaborate for Coke Studio Season 2. Catch them on October 7, at 11:15 a.m. before ASAP on ABS-CBN or on www.youtube.com/CokeStudioPH

Shanti Dope, the wildcard who will join IVOS for an exclusive Coke Studio Collab!

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“Shookt,” sums up Zild Benitez of IV Of Spades when he and his bandmates Blaster Silonga and Badjao de Castro when they were told of their Coke Studio collaboration. “Although, we have to admit that there was also some fear,” admits Badjao. “But even if there was that fear, we still had to do it. We’re just enjoying it.” ZILD then turns philosophical and says, “There’s a saying that you should grab opportunity, but sometimes you should also grab the fear.” Known for their distinctive and some would say, brave sartorial choices, fear is not exactly what we would associate with this groundbreaking band that makes not just music but also creates a super stylish and cool vibe for their fans. 

Just going into music, even though they are all from musical families was a big act of audacity for these three musicians. “People think that because our parents were musicians, they encouraged us, but it’s actually the opposite. They were always pointing out to us how hard it is to choose a life in music,” Zild begins. And Badjao and Blaster nod in agreement. “We still did it!” Blaster says . Of the collaboration itself, they come up with the words unusual, challenging and exciting to describe the whole process. Badjao adds, “Very challenging and exciting.” ZILD adds, “We are part of a generation that’s not boxed in by genre. We knew that Shanti Dope is edgy so we just wanted to enjoy the collaboration.” 

Teen prodigy Shanti Dope exploded onto the rap scene at age 16, but he himself says that even as a child, he wasn't like other children. He discovered rap at age 9, as he was sound tripping with his friends, and it created a space where he could be himself. His parents separated when he was young and he was shuttled among various relatives. Though adults expect teenagers to be obsessed with puppy love and such, Shanti Dope raises the big questions. His songs tackle such weighty topics as the futility of materialism and biting social commentary. “Bata pa ako, inuusisa ko na ang mga bagay na hindi pang-bata.” (Ever since childhood, I would be curious about matters that are not just for children.) Now mentored by rap legend Gloc 9, Shanti Dope just waves aside any fancy titles as the next big thing in rap, just happy to keep on experimenting on his music. “Lahat lahat puedeng i-adapt,” he muses, echoing the open and experimental attitude to music as the IV Of Spades guys. 

When asked how to describe their song, Shanti Dope, quips, “Parang vintage na classy barong.” Zild pipes in, “It’s like a big work of graffiti.” “That has been enhanced by photoshop,” adds Blaster. 

They all marveled at how effortless and seamless their chemistry emerged. Maybe it’s their shared openness to experimentation. Maybe it’s their youth. Or maybe it’s just that when you love creating and performing, your shared artistry just flows. 

Watch how Shanti Dope and IV Of Spades collaborate for a refreshing kind of music that celebrates their own genres in the first episode of Coke Studio Season 2. 

Catch them every Sunday at 11:15a.m. before ASAP on ABS-CBN or on www.youtube.com/CokeStudioPH.

Coke Studio empowers youth to help rehabilitate Marawi through benefit concert

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Coca-Cola Philippines brought thousands of teens together to help rebuild Marawi through a unique benefit concert that celebrated the Filipinos’ love for music as it empowered the youth to move as one creative force for a great endeavor.

Coke Studio brings together talented OPM artists and, the Filipino youth in a one-of-a-kind benefit concert to rebuild and bring music back to Marawi.

At the Coke Studio Live: Bringing Music Back to Marawi held on December 9 at the SM Mall of Asia concert grounds, many of the attendees showed their support by bringing empty Coca-Cola PET bottles for a recycling drive that would help contribute in the construction of a Little Red Schoolhouse for Marawi kids. Coca-Cola Philippines committed to build a Little Red Schoolhouse as part of the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation’s (PDRF) United4Marawi campaign.

“This is our way of showing support and solidarity with the Filipino people – to be able to contribute in the rebuilding process. Music is one of the things that threads through every person, regardless of age, religion, culture, and socio-economic bracket. We are committed to help the communities that we serve, especially in times like these that we have to come together to rebuild not just the physical structures, but most importantly, the lives of the people.” - said Stephan Czypionka, Marketing Director of Coca-Cola Philippines. 

“We are committed in helping rebuild Marawi and the communities impacted by this conflict. In partnership with relevant government agencies, we in the private sector will be bringing our sustainability initiatives to the area,” said Jonah de Lumen-Pernia, Public Affairs and Communications Director of Coca-Cola Philippines. “Our 5by20 entrepreneurship programs will be provided for the spouses of soldiers deployed in Marawi, while water systems will also be installed in the communities. We’ll also build a Little Red Schoolhouse.”

All the Coke Studio artists unite to sing a moving rendition of “Oh Come, All Ye Faithful” for the people of Marawi.

Bringing music back to Marawi

It was a night filled with music and hope as Coke Studio artists including The Ransom Collective, Gab and John of Urbandub, Abra, Gracenote, Moonstar88, Autotelic, Ebe Dancel, Franco, Reese Lansangan, BP Valenzuela and Sandwich, Noel Cabangon, and Curtismith shared their voices and talents for Marawi. Their amazing performances included renditions of Christmas favorites as well as their groundbreaking collaborations.

To further involve the youth in the advocacy, Coca-Cola also selected artists from the top UAAP schools: SLTO of University of the Philippines Diliman, PAPA PETA of University of Santo Tomas, The Cohens of Ateneo de Manila University, and Matt Junasio of De La Salle University to perform an original collaboration piece. Other artists from different universities were also present to entertain the crowd in the pocket stage at the Tunebayan area.

Aside from the upbeat performances, there were also several emotional moments. Coke Studio artists Noel Cabangon and Curtismith led the audience in observing a few minutes of silence as they offered a prayer for the victims of Marawi. Afterwards, they both sang the empowering lyrics of their collaboration “Payong Kaibigan”. There was also a special group performance where the Coke Studio artists all sang “Oh Come, All Ye Faithful” to inspire unity in supporting the Maranaos especially this Christmas season.

During the event, attendees enjoyed exciting activities like singing along to their favorite tunes at the Coke Studio Canraoke and receiving personalized Coke bottles with their names in the labels at the Coke Jukebox. There was even a Christmas food fair and bazaar where guests feasted on good food, best paired with a refreshing drink.

Overall, it was a great night worthy of its even greater advocacy which showed just how music truly unites and inspires Filipinos to come together.

The vocalist of UP’s STLO belts out the lines of the university bands’ special composition for the people of Marawi.

Hip-hop superstar, Abra, raps crowd favorite “Diwata” at the Coke Studio Benefit Concert for Marawi. 

Franco Reyes, vocalist of Franco, rocking out at the Coke Studio Benefit Concert for Marawi at the Mall of Asia Concert Grounds.

Reese Lansangan sings a smash hit Coke Studio collaboration, “Off of Center”, with rock band Franco.

Thousands of people come to show their support for the worthy cause at the Coke Studio benefit concert at the Mall of Asia Concert Grounds.

Ebe Dancel and Raimund Marasigan happily share the stage as they sing an unexpected duet to the E-heads classic “Magasin”.

Curtismith and Noel Cabangon dedicate the empowering lyrics of their Coke Studio collaboration “Payong Kaibigan” to the victims of Marawi.

Attendees of the Coke Studio benefit concert are all smiles as they enjoy the event’s fun activities. 

The youth donate their empty bottles to help fund the construction of a Little Red Schoolhouse for Marawi children.

Musical worlds collide at Coke Studio with Abra and Gracenote collaboration

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The distinct sound of Original Pilipino Music (OPM) thrives in collaboration. With Coke Studio, an OPM rap icon and a fast-rising rock band push the boundaries of music by combining two contrasting genres to create a unified sound that showcases each of their musical mastery, yet brings to light a fresh, new take on OPM—Abra’s striking flow and wordplay fused with Gracenote’s haunting and melodic lyrical tunes.

Abra (a play on his surname “Abracosa”) is famous for his collaborative works with Parokya ni Edgar’s Chito Miranda, Maja Salvador, Reese Lansangan, Loonie, and Ron Henley, to name a few. The witty, fast-talking veteran emcee has made a name for himself as one of the most important wordsmiths in the local hip-hop scene with his significant, unapologetic, and poetic lyrics channeled through a unique rap flow. 

“That’s [Abra] what people really call me and it also fits because it can be short for ‘abracadabra’, which is not only a magic word, but is old Aramaic for ‘I create words’ and that’s what I do,” said Abra.

As a part of the line-up of refreshing collaborative musical acts of Coke Studio, the synco-pop-punk-electro-rock trio of Gracenote—Eunice and Jazz Jorge, and EJ Picha—is paired with Abra, where the rapper’s energetic and aggressive style will be complemented by Gracenote’s classical rock background to send shivers down the spines of every listener. 

“The grace note is not the biggest note; it is a small note which makes an impact. If you remove it from the song, it will be really felt,” said Gracenote lead vocalist Eunice on the band’s important musical quality.

Unusual but full of possibilities, the collaboration between the two different artists is a surprise for many, but it brings forth a new, exciting dimension for OPM. 

“We are always looking for something fresh,” said Eunice.

Indeed, fans can only imagine Gracenote’s playful piano and violin tunes, catchy beats, and haunting vocals, overlaid with Abra’s stinging wordplay on life and important social issues, as it brings the house down. For now, Filipinos can only look forward to the new episodes coming up.

With different perspectives coming in from a variety of sources, the stage for groundbreaking new music is set, fresh tunes produced by local Filipino artists are in the works, and OPM continues to evolve with Coke Studio’s flair for collaboration.

Taste the sounds of Pinoy music as Abra and Gracenote collaborate for Coke Studio. 

Catch it on August 26, Saturday, at 7 p.m. on TV5 or on www.youtube.com/CokeStudioPH