The finalists of NESCAFE Soundskool 2008

Thirteen college bands from across the country have heeded Nescafe Soundskool 2008’s call of “Handa ka na bang sumikat?”—impressing judges and engaging audiences during their respective elimination rounds.

And as they begin their journey to fame, they will meet the country’s top music icons, get special make-over star treatments, and perform before a large ULTRA crowd on November 15 for the highly-anticipated finals. They also get the chance to win the P250,000 cash prize and music label deal from Sony BMG.

Who among them have what it takes to make that first step towards music stardom?

“They are all very talented. They know their music and they are all very exciting performers. The judges will be a very difficult time picking out a winner,” says NESCAFE marketing and promotions manager Eileen Rose Bangcoro.

The finalists from the Greater Manila Area Grace Note from St. Scholastica’s College

Greater Manila Area finalist Grace Note is composed of five music majors from St. Scholastica’s College. It is no wonder then that they named their band after a musical term.

“Just like a grace note, we see ourselves as a small band compared to other music groups, but we play an important role making music,” they say.

Grace Note is composed of Eunice Evangel Jorge on vocals and violin, Mary Richen Maminta on rhythm guitar, Alvin Ortiza on lead guitar, Rico Cristobal on bass, and Emmanuel Pichay on drums.

Project from Jose Rizal University

This is not the first time that Project has joined NESCAFE Soundskool. In 2006, they were able to make it to the elimination leg of the competition.

“The band was formed two years ago specifically for Soundskool,” the members say, adding that all of them came from different bands before coming together for project.

Project describes its sound as funky alternative, explaining that it is “rhythmic and danceable, but still has a touch of rock.” Its musical influences range from Eric Clapton and the Red Hot Chili Peppers to P.O.T. and Kjwan.

The band is composed of Jaworski Sison on vocals, Beejay Valera on guitar, Wilfredo Dela Cruz on guitar, Amado Go on bass, and Ralph Ruiz on drums

Letter Day Story from Southeast Asian College

Letter Day Story is composed of Aldrick Yu on vocals, Chris Anthony Vinzons on lead guitar, Oliver Agustin on bass, and Emil Arabit on drums and they list New Found Glory, Boys Like Girls, +44, Eraserheads, Kamikazee, and Rivermaya as their musical influences.

During the GMA elimination leg, in fact, the band covered the E-head’s “Alapaap” along with their original composition, “Ikaw Pa Rin.”

Although the group has been playing for four years now, its members are still to learn more about how they can further hone their craft during the Boracay workshops and mentorship program of NESCAFE Soundskool.

Hooligans from the University of Santo Tomas

Hooligans takes its name from the football term “hooliganism.” The band members are quick to explain though that they are not keen on brawls or fights, but that they are all football fans, hence the name.

The members of Hooligans say they are all big fans of British rock and ‘90s music as well as local bands Pupil and Taken By Cars. They, in fact, did a cover of Radiohead’s “High and Dry” during the eliminations.

Hooligans is composed of Anne Jamnague on vocals, Lorenzo Flores on guitars, Anton Sison on bass, and Niko Santos on drums.

The finalists of Luzon

Lyceum Institute of Technology’s Maracore

The Laguna-based band Maracore is composed of Mara Marinne Magaling on vocals, Jan Clint Hidalgo on bass guitar, Aaron Gatlabayan on guitar, Lawrence Anthony Dacuya on guitar, and Joshua Egonia on drums.

They say that they patterned their name after the band Paramore, which is a major influence in their music. During the NESCAFE Soundskool Luzon elims, in fact, the band heated up the stage by performing Paramore’s “Here We Go Again” by Paramore.

Calayan Education Foundation’s Flaurah

Flaurah is composed of John Mark Loyola on vocals, Mark Lester Loyola on bass, Frank Samuel Diwata on guitar/keyboard, Robert Robles on guitar, and Allen Delos Reyes on drums.

While it describes its sound as “experimental” as it claims its music is still “a work in progress”, they are quick to add that they are largely influenced by bands Switchfoot and Sugarfree.

Wesleyan University-Philippines’ 7th Skool

7th Skool is a Cabanatuan City-based band that lists Incubus, Story of the Year, The Used, Kamikazee, and Join the Club as its music idols.

The band is composed of Gideon Reyes on vocals, Allan Teneza on bass guitar, Marlon Reyes and Andrew Sardillo on guitars, and Cepi Torralba on drums.

The finalists from the Visayas

Skalivur from Eastern Visayas State University

Skalivur is Dan Margallo on vocals, Jude Dumas on saxophone, Zion Plimaco on bass, Steve Bano on drums, and Rogelio Palacio, Jr. on percussion.

This Tacloban City-based band performs mixed reggae and jazz music and did a wonderful rendition of “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” during the Visayas elimination leg.

University of Cebu’s Baronets

Baronets counts Story of the Year and Aegis as its music idols, but is quick to add that they also like exploring other musical genres. The band is composed of cousins Jerlyn Mae Astor on lead guitar, Charma Kurais on keyboards, Elizalde Astor on vocals, and Rea Diaz on bass.

During the elimination leg, Baronets performed Greenday’s “American Idiot” and its original composition “Memory of a Red Sachet.”

STI Tacloban’s Sounvile

Sounvile takes its name from the words “sound village” and the band members list Jill Scott, Paula Cole, Skunk Anansie, Paramore, Silverchair, K’s Choice, and Pinoy pride Ereaserheads as major music infuences.

This four-year old band is composed of Adrienne Jadloc on vocals, Twinky Jadloc on drums/vocals, Mark Cojuanco on bass, Gino Cerilla on guitar, and Weslie Estur on guitar/vocals.

The finalists from Mindanao

C-Shifter from AMA  Davao Campus

C-Shifter is a pop and R&B band composed of Nikita Vecino on vocals, Lorenzo Gabriel Vergara on guitar, Marilee Manlupig on keyboard, Jan Miguel Vergara on drums, and Patrick Louise Santos on bass—who, like the members of Sounville, are all cousins.

The band claims that their music is largely influenced by local bands Updharma Down, Imago and Freestyle.

Keyk from St. Mary’s College

The Davao del Norte-based Keyk is composed of of Joseph Parcon on vocals, Ivan Krishmer Padilla on bass, Ronnie Utlang and Israel Guagnco on guitars, and Michael Rulite on drums.

Asked why they chose Keyk as the name of their band, the five-piece group said that it wanted a name that was associated with parties.

Keyk lists The Cure, Franz Ferdinand, Sandwich, Pedicab and Pupil as their music idols.

Teachers Stand Together from Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan

The Cagayan de Oro-based Teachers Stand Together is composed of Paulo Dumagat on vocals, Doy Vallar on lead guitars, Don Varano on rhythm guitar, Gerard Anthony Du on drums and Norway Gabucan on bass.

They named their band such because of their fondness and admiration for teachers. When it comes to music idols, though, they list Urbandub, P.O.T., Pinikpikan, John Mayer, Andrew WK as their favorites.

NESCAFE Soundskool 2008 partners include the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Sony BMG Music Entertainment, Penshoppe, Island Cove Hotel and Leisure Park, La Carmela de Boracay Resort Hotel, Boracay Mandarin Island Hotel, Tommy Hilfiger Eyewear, L’Oreal Paris Studio Line, Maybelline, Boracay Scuba and Bounce Magazine.

To learn more about these bands journey to fame, log on to http://www.nescafe3in1.com.ph.