There’s new 1:43 on the block with members coming from all directions as their stories show. (From left): Art Artienda, Jason Allen, Wayne Avellano and Ced Miranda But, first, here: The former batch of the OPM boy band was launched in 2011. Their greatest hit, “Sa Isang Sulyap Mo,” came from the second album. They disbanded in 2016. Late last year, 1:43 founder and manager Chris Cahilig put together a new set comprised by.... Chinito Crooner Ced Miranda is a Filipino-Chinese. Despite finishing school with a B.S. in Hotel and Restaurant Management, his passion for music prevailed. The guy has been honing his talents by attending different workshops. He has appeared on numerous TV commercials and in print advertisements. Tagged as the Chinito Crooner, Ced took voice lessons when he was a kid. It took a backseat in college so he could focus more on his studies. He believes this is the right time to continue reaching for his dream. “Talagang ’pag gusto mo, gawin mo ang gusto mo para maging masaya ka,” he said. He recalled auditioning for membership in the group “ng walang handa-handa, basta kung ano na lang ’yung alam kong kanta.” Overseas kid Though born in Mauban, Quezon, Wayne Avellano was raised in Canada starting at seven years old. He was first a Medical Technology practitioner for two years, before the local music ’biz called on him. However, even before joining 1:43, Wayne was part of Sikat Dance Company, a competitive hip-hop dance group representing Canada. “Pumunta ako dito sa Pilipinas kasi I wanted to get connected with my culture and my roots, and to get to know my family kasi I have no idea kung paano mamuhay dito,” he explained. He may have only been in the Philippines for a year but he already played a role on a TV series, the James Reid-Nadine Lustre starrer “Till I Met You.” “I want to inspire the adolescence and the youth that they could pursue their career, follow their dreams,” he said. “I’m happy that I did what I did to get to where I am today.” Pogi dancer Jason Allen was a former member of dance group Boys, Boys, Boys. A native of Limay, Bataan, he was invited by his cousin to try modeling in Manila. After doing some auditions and TV commercials, he became part of that dance group. “Na-experience ko before and mag-audition pero hindi ka natanggap. Nakaka-sad pero kailangan talaga ’yun,” he said. Dreamy cager Tourism graduate Art Artienda was discovered by Chris. The looker was a cager in college but left the team to focus on his career in show business. Story goes that Art was buying energy drink at Chris’ store when the latter spotted him. The former admitted not taking the manager’s offer seriously until he proved for himself it was the real deal. Art had previously tried joining a reality show and actually modeled for print ads. • • • Chris shared some stories of the time they were in Taiwan to shoot the music video for their second song “Pasensya Na.” “Medyo umeksena, umepal kami ng konti sa Taiwan,” he said. Apparently, people there sensed the boys were artists in Manila so they asked for their autograph and took pictures with them. Whenever they would ask who the boys are, Chris, to keep it short, would say they are the Filipino version of F4, a popular boy group from Taiwanese drama “Meteor Garden.” The manager said the new 1:43 is more “mature” with members who are “serious” singers. They will continue the tradition of championing Original Pinoy Music by performing only local music as much as possible. “I wanted to have boys who are into music talaga, who want to do this as a career, na long term talaga,” Chris added. He sees the members growing as artists with many talents, eventually doing other things in show business. “That makes everything worth it for them. Parang magiging stepping stone ng everyone ang 1:43. Eventually they will pursue their careers individually. Baka five years down the road we have new 1:43 because they’re going to leave na. I have to let them go because they have individual careers na malalaki na, that is actually the vision,” he revealed.