AUDIOJUNKIE: Here & Now: Rebirthing Pinoy alt-rock
“Rock and roll is dead” goes the oft-uttered phrase every time a hack masquerading as a writer gets lazy and declares the devil’s favorite genre is done for. But the fact that the words above have been used so many times before is a testament to rock and roll music’s resilient nature. Rock isn’t dead – female pop stars are currently co-opting it though, as evidenced by the recent big brand festivals (which I’ve no problem with and just stating it) – but yeah, rock isn’t going anywhere.
The same goes for the Manila scene. While Pinoy pop dominates with diversified acts from Arthur Miguel, Cup of Joe, Hev Abi, BINI, to SB19, there’s always that one who’ll come wearing their rock colors proudly.
One such band is Here & Now.
These alternative rockers have been steadily racking up singles since their debut some two years ago, starting with the scorching, metal-tinged “In My Head,” and its follow-up “Runaway,” and the more restrained “Paglaya” that highlighted Here & Now’s affinity for melodic alt-metal as well as its emo leanings. And listening to “Set Me On Fire” only made me think of alt-metal OG’s Evanescence and Anberlin, whose sonic imprint found its way into H&N’s DNA, which could also be said of their sole 2024 alt-rock drama heavy tune titled “Still Alive.”
With 2025 well past its middle part, and after a brief hiatus of sorts, Here & Now returns with a brand new song called “Himala” – a power ballad on steroids, with drama for sonics and a surging alt-rock energy in its underbelly and melodic in its delivery as it tackles themes of recognizing hope amidst apprehension.
The opening verse goes: “Sa ‘di inaasahang pagkakataon / May nakasalubong, tadhana ba?/ Sa isang pagkilos, tumigil ang aking mundo / Pabago-bago ang aking puso,” and before the chorus kicks in, proclaims: “‘Di naniniwala sa tadhana.” The hook is more yearning though as it goes: “Ikaw ang himala sa aking buhay / Hinihintay na walang kamalay-malay / Hinihintay habang buhay.” It’s emo with a heaping of ‘hugot.’ More importantly it’s intense, like how rock should be.
Here & Now is Paco Santos on vocals, guitarists Patrick Poblador and Lance Camposano, bassist Gab Palanca, drummer Franco Aguila, and new addition guitarist Allen Guarnes. According to Poblador, Here & Now’s “Himala” signals “a turning point in their sound, direction, and artistic identity.” “The band now moves with newfound clarity into cinematic Filipino alternative rock,” adding that their new sound will inject "atmosphere with precision, introspection with accessibility” into their songwriting mix. Additionally, the latest member beefs up their sound, as well as adds another pair of hands to their songwriting, in the hopes it enhances the band’s chemistry in the studio and live performances.
According to Here & Now, “Himala” is about the “interplay between awe and hesitation,” and it is these that give their song some emotional heft. While generally hopeful throughout, the last line at the end of the song, which goes: “O nililinlang mo lang ako?” throws a wrench into the song’s sanguine outlook.
Which is what their listeners should expect from Here & Now forward, as it moves from the aggressive textures of their post-hardcore influences which will be replaced with “a refined, melodic sound that leans into clarity and storytelling,” promising that “vocals will be clearer, our arrangements more spacious and writing in Filipino (hopefully) will add emotional nuance and cultural depth.”
Which makes Here & Now look like a rebirth of Filipino alternative rock to me, and not at all like a death knell.
Like I said: don’t listen to lazy hacks masquerading.