Music Hero song rules Spotify PH playlist
Published Jul 16, 2018 06:53 am
“EAT Bulaga!’s” resident pop band Music Hero is conquering the local music scene with “Walang Papalit,” its debut song about love, heartbreak and finding happiness again.
Eat Bulaga's pop band Music Hero (left-right) Jim Tan, Jaoquin Rodrigo, Dominique Casacop, Fender Dimalanta, Manly Ocampo, RD Benavides, Brian Feliciano, and JayR Corre
At press time, “Walang Papalit” tops Spotify Philippines’ Viral playlist and also earned spots on the music-streaming site’s local Top 200 Pop and All Genre tracts. The song also ranked second by the end of June in World Music Awards’ Top 10 Digital Tracks in the country.
“Through this song, we want to make people feel there’s always a second chance at love,” said vocalist Manly Ocampo.
He leads the nine-piece band that originated from the program’s music competition with the same title. Manly was hailed the ultimate vocal hero after participating in a rigorous nine-month vocal battle last year.
He said “Walang Papalit” is a full collaboration between him and band mates Radlee Laquian (acoustic guitar), Fender Dimalanta (electric guitar), Joaquin Rodrigo (drums), Jim Tan and RD Benavides (keyboards), JayR Corre (bass), Brian Feliciano (saxophone) and Dominique Casacop (violin), who all featured in the competition’s instrument edition which kicked-off in August 2016.
Guitarist Fender added, “We had full control of the song, especially on its arrangement and style. We were initially given individual time to study it then we had to brainstorm as a group. We tried to give it a different flavor and take advantage of the full band. It’s a challenge but we like collaborating with each other.”
Dubbed by the program as an “elite revolutionary band” because of the variety of musical instruments each member plays, they want to follow in the success of ’90s Filipino pop and R&B group South Border. In fact, during their recent live guest appearance in “The Roadshow” on Wish FM 107.5, the group performed “Ikaw Nga,” one of South Border’s popular songs.
“They play timeless music that we want to produce also. We want to sound like them but at the same time, we also want to have our own flavor in every song we play. We also want to connect not just to the youth, the Generation Z, but across all ages because music knows no boundary,” said keyboardist RD.
Violinist Dominique, the only female member of the band, is grateful to be in the company of talented individuals. “Among the hundreds who auditioned, it’s already a blessing that we are all chosen to be part of this group. I’m used to playing with an orchestra and it’s a big adjustment to be part of a pop band, but I like that we are all challenged to think outside the box and make full use of our own instruments.”
The group revealed they are working on their second single.
Manly said they look forward to exciting times ahead. “We will make the most of this experience. We know it’s not going to be an easy journey but we’re sure it’s going to be an unforgettable and fulfilling one.”
Asked for advice for aspiring young musicians, the group agreed it takes hard work, dedication, long hours of practice, belief in oneself and love for craft to fulfill one’s dreams.
“Music is for everyone. It has no age limit and does not discriminate. You have to set a goal and never lose sight of that. It also pays to stay humble, to be grateful always and to remember where you came from and who helped you along the way,” Manly ended.
Eat Bulaga's pop band Music Hero (left-right) Jim Tan, Jaoquin Rodrigo, Dominique Casacop, Fender Dimalanta, Manly Ocampo, RD Benavides, Brian Feliciano, and JayR Corre
At press time, “Walang Papalit” tops Spotify Philippines’ Viral playlist and also earned spots on the music-streaming site’s local Top 200 Pop and All Genre tracts. The song also ranked second by the end of June in World Music Awards’ Top 10 Digital Tracks in the country.
“Through this song, we want to make people feel there’s always a second chance at love,” said vocalist Manly Ocampo.
He leads the nine-piece band that originated from the program’s music competition with the same title. Manly was hailed the ultimate vocal hero after participating in a rigorous nine-month vocal battle last year.
He said “Walang Papalit” is a full collaboration between him and band mates Radlee Laquian (acoustic guitar), Fender Dimalanta (electric guitar), Joaquin Rodrigo (drums), Jim Tan and RD Benavides (keyboards), JayR Corre (bass), Brian Feliciano (saxophone) and Dominique Casacop (violin), who all featured in the competition’s instrument edition which kicked-off in August 2016.
Guitarist Fender added, “We had full control of the song, especially on its arrangement and style. We were initially given individual time to study it then we had to brainstorm as a group. We tried to give it a different flavor and take advantage of the full band. It’s a challenge but we like collaborating with each other.”
Dubbed by the program as an “elite revolutionary band” because of the variety of musical instruments each member plays, they want to follow in the success of ’90s Filipino pop and R&B group South Border. In fact, during their recent live guest appearance in “The Roadshow” on Wish FM 107.5, the group performed “Ikaw Nga,” one of South Border’s popular songs.
“They play timeless music that we want to produce also. We want to sound like them but at the same time, we also want to have our own flavor in every song we play. We also want to connect not just to the youth, the Generation Z, but across all ages because music knows no boundary,” said keyboardist RD.
Violinist Dominique, the only female member of the band, is grateful to be in the company of talented individuals. “Among the hundreds who auditioned, it’s already a blessing that we are all chosen to be part of this group. I’m used to playing with an orchestra and it’s a big adjustment to be part of a pop band, but I like that we are all challenged to think outside the box and make full use of our own instruments.”
The group revealed they are working on their second single.
Manly said they look forward to exciting times ahead. “We will make the most of this experience. We know it’s not going to be an easy journey but we’re sure it’s going to be an unforgettable and fulfilling one.”
Asked for advice for aspiring young musicians, the group agreed it takes hard work, dedication, long hours of practice, belief in oneself and love for craft to fulfill one’s dreams.
“Music is for everyone. It has no age limit and does not discriminate. You have to set a goal and never lose sight of that. It also pays to stay humble, to be grateful always and to remember where you came from and who helped you along the way,” Manly ended.