One Big Phi 2011: Fired UP!

Written by Maria Angela Villa, Phi '11B

One Big Phi 2011: Fired Up! Inter-college Battle of the Bands Competition

by Maria Angela Villa, Phi '11B

True to its title, One Big Phi 2011: Fired Up! Inter-college Battle of the Bands Competition set the night ablaze as Urbandub, Tonight We Sleep and bands from different colleges of UP Manila rocked the Bellagio Square last November 22.

Presented by the Phi Lambda Delta Sorority and the Phi Kappa Mu Fraternity, OBP was one of Phi month’s most awaited events as it aimed to present the newest batch of brods and sisses, namely, Phi Batch 2011A and Phi Batch 2011B of the Phi Lambda Delta Sorority and Phi Batch 2011 of the Phi Kappa Mu Fraternity. Revving it up to Phi quality standard, OBP was bigger and bolder as it featured the talents of not just the participating Phi batches, but also explored the creative musical potential that lies in the diverse student population of each college in UP Manila.

Hosting the event were Miriam Catherine Dantes of Phi Batch 2011A, Maria Angela Villa of Phi Batch 2011B, and Erik Tongol of Phi Batch 2011 of the Phi Kappa Mu Fraternity.

Kicking off the night of battle, the Phi Band entertained the audience with Dana Cheska Santos of Phi Batch 2011A and Maria Angela Villa of Phi Batch 2011B, performing “Mata” by Moonstar88 and “Sundo” by Imago, respectively.

As a prelude to the main event, the panel of judges was presented. Chairing the panel of judges was Mr. Alex “Phat Boy” Lim, music honcho of Sony Music Philippines and band manager of Urbandub. Also among the judges were Mr. Rex Ferriols of Tonight We Sleep and Mr. Nico Pineda of Stonefree. The criteria for judging were announced, with due emphasis that the audience can vote for their favorite band by submission of voting stub inclusive with the tickets for the event.

Each band was required to perform three songs, original or cover. The first band to perform was the Elbert Pardinas Show, resident band of the UP Musicians’ Organization, with members hailing from the College of Arts and Sciences. Another band, I’m With Lilith, is a mix from the Colleges of Dentistry, Arts and Sciences, Allied Medical Professions and Medicine. They performed tunes that were techno rock with a twist reminiscent of a tiered Up Dharma Down, care of the vocalist’s flexible ability to shift from alternative rock to balladic styles. Epimers, the representative of the UP College of Medicine, was composed of members of Class 2016. Their genre lies not in alternative rock like the other bands, but in stride with their vocalist’s niche in singing modern and retro blues. They ventured into Jason Mraz songs and the Beegees. Kalikot presented heavy metal tones, performing the classic Filipino rock anthem “Beep, Beep”, and songs that blared accordingly with their energy of a bunch of talented rock musicians.

Kalikot emerged as the One Big Phi 2011: Fired Up! Inter-college Battle of the Bands Champion, followed
by I’m With Lilith in second place and The Elbert Pardinas Show in third place. Epimers was also awarded as the crowd favorite. It really is a musical delight to have these UP Manila students share their talents and be appreciated by renowned people of the industry like Mr. Pineda of Stonefree who said, “They all have the potential. What we want to see is how they do it, and I can see they enjoyed.”

As Phi’s way of entertaining the audience and showcasing the talents of the members, different Phi batches performed their dance numbers, with the audience cheering for their friends and classmates. The first to perform is the Phi Batch 2010 brods and sisses, followed by the Phi Batch 2014, Phi Class 2013 and Phi Class 2012. Performing as the newest batch is Phi Batch 2011A or PHIreworks, followed by Phi Batch 2011B or PHIerce, and last but not the least, Phi Batch 2011 or Limitless of the Phi Kappa Mu Fraternity.

After the awarding of certificates to the judges and bands and the announcement of winners, Urbandub delivered its own brand of rock and roll as the audience went haywire with excitement. People went wild as they sang along to the blaring tunes of “First of Summer” and “Guillotine”, among others. The vocalist, Gabby Alipe, thanked the Phi Lambda Delta Sorority and the Phi Kappa Mu Fraternity for having them over to perform as the guest band, and proceeded to promote the royalty of OPM that is continually reaching out not just in the Philippines but overseas as well. “Sa dami ng mga banda sa Pilipinas, natutuwa kami na kami ang kinuha ninyo. Ok lang naman na kunin niyo ang iba. We support Filipino artists, but it really is an honor to be here with you tonight,” said Alipe. Tonight We Sleep performed afterwards, serenading the audience with their rhythmic rock blues.

Capping off the night of rocking good music is the Phi Band, with Mauie Diaz of Phi Batch 1996B singing “What’s Going On” and “Sway”, much to the delight of the brods and sisses. Also closing the event were Clarissa Ogayon Ababan of Phi Batch 2008 with “Don’t Speak” by No Doubt and “Crazy For You” by Madonna, Germaine Angela Chamos Ursabia of Phi Batch 2011B with “Bulong” by Kitchie Nadal and Carlo Artiaga of Phi Batch 2010 (Phi Kappa Mu Fraternity) with “Hanging by a Moment” by Lifehouse and “Your Body is a Wonderland” by John Mayer.

Hyping up the groove all throughout the event were sponsors Tanduay Rhum, which gave out free drinks to everyone and Koi Bar and Restaurant, which sponsored a free beer or iced tea per ticket and offered good food with good drinks. Other sponsors wrapping up OBP’s night of rock music are Boracay Rhum and 2 Torre Lorenzo.

The One Big Phi 2011: Fired Up! Inter-college Battle of the Bands Competition would not be possible without JB Music Philippines and Camella Homes as co-presentors of the Phi Lambda Delta Sorority and Phi Kappa Mu Fraternity.

The event was headed by Clarissa Gonzales (Phi '10), Marvie Aguro (Phi '10), Kurt Roland Asperas (Phi '10), Zaid Diaz (Phi '10) and co-headed by Chax Lukban (Phi '11A) and Cecileen Tuazon (Phi '11A).

Mauie Diaz, Phi '96B, sang "What's Going On" and "Sway."