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Manila Bulletin devider Entertainment devider Celebrities devider December Avenue recalls struggles as indie band

December Avenue recalls struggles as indie band

Published Aug 21, 2024 06:08 am
OPM band December Avenue (Facebook) .png
(L-R) Jem Manuel, Don Gregorio, Zel Bautista and Gelo Cruz members of December Avenue (Facebook) 

Early on, Zel Bautista, Jem Manuel, Don Gregorio, Gelo Cruz, and Jet Danao of December Avenue, didn't imagine they would be playing to a huge crowd.

At that point, they were playing in small clubs, dipping into their own pockets to get by.

Despite the hardship, they pushed on, eager to pursue their passion.

It worked.

15 years on, the band is now set to play their biggest concert ever: "Sa Ilalim ng mga Butuin" at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on August 30.

At a media conference held at the Glass Ballroom in Okada, Pasay City on Aug. 20, Zel spilled the tea on the struggles they went through as band.

"Meron kasi na stereotype na when it comes to being in a band, especially pagdating sa parents (sasabihan ka) 'if you like this kind this stuff, hindi ka kikita ng pera jan.' And true enough when we started, ganun talaga. We had to pay out of our own pockets papunta sa shows and obviously when you're starting no one's going to watch you," he related.  

(Because there is a stereotype when it comes to being in a band, especially when it comes to parents, if you like this kind of stuff, you won't make money. And true enough when we started, that's how it was, we had to pay out of our own pockets going to shows, and obviously when you're starting no one's going to watch you)

According to the band's guitarist Jem, the situation persisted for a long time and it helped them forge a strong bond as band. 

"The good thing about it is yung na-build namin na chemistry. So, kumbaga kahit isa lang nanonood diyan or thousands, our energy stay the same," Jem said.

(The good thing about it is the chemistry that we built as a band. So, it's like if only one person is watching or thousands, our energy stay the same)

As they started to make a name on the music scene, Zel and his band eventually had to let go of their day jobs.

Although things are now going great for the band, Zel still recalls how they actually booked the Teatrino in 2016 just to see if they could fill it up.

"It was also a test for us kasi parang we were on the verge of like parang giving up, na parang walang nangyayari sa amin. During that time we took the risk and tried if we still had fans  and lo and behold na sold out yung shows namin," He said.

(It was also a test for us because we were on the verge of like giving up, like nothing was happening to us. During that time we took the risk and tried if we still had fans, and lo and behold our shows sold out)

December Avenue has already garnered numerous music awards including the 2020 Silver Wishclusive Elite Circle for the songs "Sa Ngalan Ng Pag-ibig" and "Kung Di Rin Lang Ikaw;" Best Song Written for Movie-TV at The 33rd Awit Awards for "Huling Sandali;" the Most Popular Recording/Performing Group at the 51st Box Office Entertainment Awards; the Most Influential OPM Band of the Year from EdukCircle in Awards 2019; and Rock Artist of the Year and Rock Album of the Year from the 12th Philippine Movie Press Club (PMPC) Star Awards for Music for "Langit Mong Bughaw," among many others. 

Directed by Paolo Valenciano and presented by NY Entourage Productions, December Avenue's "Sa Ilalim ng mga Butuin" concert will be held August 30 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

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