OPM boy band 1:43 has grown up

MANILA, Philippines - When the boy band 1:43 started four years ago, quite a handful of detractors didn’t mince words in saying that the band was a K-Pop knock-off, that it didn’t have the range to become successful as a performing group. The group was dismissed as flash-in-the-pan, something that the audience would forget as soon as another hot male group comes along.

Three best-selling albums, a string of hits, multi-million views of its music videos on YouTube and hundreds of performances across the archipelago later, 1:43 members Anjo Resurreccion, Argee Golding, Gold Aquino and Yuki Sakamoto have proved their detractors wrong.

“We didn’t allow the hate to affect us,” says Yuki. “What has been important to us is the music. We have always been hungry to learn and improve every step of the way. The goal has always been to give our audience the best performance that we can deliver.”

The focus on learning and growth shows in its latest album, #KalyePop (KPOP), released under MCA Universal. While the record still carries the “kilig” ballads in the vein of Sa Isang Sulyap Mo (hailed as Song of the Year at the fifth PMPC Star Awards for Music), it’s notable for including tracks that straddle genres: Pop, novelty and dance. That the band is simply a K-Pop wannabe is dispelled by the album, which captures the musical blend loved by Filipinos: Lightness, humor and catchy hooks. In 1:43’s music is a true-blue Filipino heart.

Ang Saya-Saya is the song that best represents this identifiable Filipino streak. Days after the song hit airwaves, music channels and YouTube, it caught fire, with people doing the signature dance moves that the 1:43 boys demonstrate with a smile (and a dose of sexiness). Ang Saya-Saya is the theme song of the GMA sitcom Ismol Family and has become a dance craze in Sunday All Stars.

“After the success of our single Hayop sa Ganda, we were quite nervous how the audience would respond to Ang Saya-Saya,” says Anjo. “Good thing that the song has really caught up. In our shows, the people do the moves whenever we sing the song.”

Accolades for the group have been coming. This year, the group was nominated for Best/Group Duo at the sixth PMPC Awards for Music alongside Sponge Cola, Rocksteddy and Parokya ni Edgar. It also won the Most Promising Recording and Performing Group at the 45th Box Office Entertainment Awards of the Guillermo Mendoza Memorial Scholarship Foundation.

It doesn’t hurt that 1:43’s growth coincides with the band members’ maturity as men. Before, when they were just starting out, they looked like your typical boys next door, now the 1:43 members are full-fledged men with well-defined muscles that make girls swoon.

The boys’ confidence and appeal translate into a heart-stopping showmanship and stage presence each time they perform in corporate events, campus and mall shows and festivals. Rated K, hosted by Korina Sanchez, certified the group as one of the hottest local celebrities today.

1:43 is now emboldened to do more projects that push the envelope. The band started with a story-telling twist in the music video of Hayop Sa Ganda. The woman that is being “wooed” in the music video is not your typical damsel but the transwoman Miss International Queen Kevin Balot. The music video has garnered over half-a-million views on YouTube.

In the soon-to-be-released music video for Pwede Bang Malaman, beauty queen and actress Chloe Dauden is featured and this time, the boys will showcase their mature and sensual side.

“Our fans will definitely love this video,” says Gold. “We have been working hard in the gym, so they better watch out.”

While the four boys have found success as a group, they still pursue their individual passions. Anjo, a MYX VJ Search finalist, has hosting gigs; Gold is an entrepreneur and about to launch his own perfume company; while Yuki and Argee are honing their acting chops to prepare them for eventual appearances in soaps. “It’s important to us to have our own projects,” says Argee, the latest addition to the group. “It makes us bring something new to the table each time we perform together.”