By Allyza Roshleen Aranaydo & Fiona Sophie Balaod |
It’s a vibe!
Onset in the early morning of February 23, 2023, a joyous atmosphere filled the gymnasium as the Barcelona Lions proved themselves as worthy contenders during the Musikahan: Battle of the Bands. Various feelings were evoked by the performances of undeniably talented students from eight different clusters performing iconic songs from rock to OPM.
Starting off strong, the Salamanca Tigers serenaded the hearts of Ateneans through their “mas pina hugot” take on This Band’s Hindi na Nga. Unexpectedly, it was followed by their own rendition of the known pop-punk song Good 4 U by Olivia Rodrigo. “Your apathy’s like a wound in salt,” was angrily cried in Good 4 U’s restrained bridge that builds up to an explosive final chorus. The contrasting genre of the songs was a bold move for the cluster that paid off as they left the audience in awe wanting more.
Next, the ever-fierce wolves of the Montserrat Cluster brought their pack and dominated the stage with their jaw-dropping rendition of I Knew You Were Trouble by Taylor Swift and Buwan by Juan Karlos. The Paris Cluster amplified the extensive range of its vocalists with a stirring soulful alternative rock ballad that caresses aching hearts with its woeful tone.
It was surely difficult for the stags of Jerusalem to follow such a jarring performance by the Montserrat cluster, but in the end, they managed to capture the hearts of the crowd with a chill jam of Every Summertime by NIKI. It was followed by the iconic song of Rivermaya’s Liwanag sa Dilim, giving the audience a heartwarming and inspiring performance.
Following the train of hugot culture in music, the Manresa Vipers chose violence in their song choices, leaving the audience heartbroken with the Glimpse of Us by Joji and Bumalik ka na Sakin by Silent Sanctuary. Vivid flashbacks of old pain and buried pieces of emotional baggage resurfaced, and each song perfectly encapsulates the complexity of heartbreak, with each line tugging at the audience’s hearts.
The valiant lions of the Barcelona Cluster have proved to everyone that the “off-the-wall” route never ceased to amaze. Although the song choices, Pink + White by Frank Ocean and Lunod by Ben and Ben, were peculiar to many, they still managed to win the audience with their breathtaking vocals and musical ensembles that came together to leave a mark not just on the crowd, but to the judges as well.
The Pamplona Cluster rocked the gymnasium by singing classic hits that Filipinos have known to love. With the statement song Hallelujah by Bamboo they were able to give a solid impression to the crowd. Keeping up with the same energy on the second song Don’t Stop Believin’ by Journey, this performance showcased famed distorted beats as an upbeat approach to looking back on the past.
With the song Jetlag by the Simple Plan, the Paris Cluster was able to set out their wings as they set the mood for the rest of their performance. Huling Sayaw by Kamikaze followed the rock song, creating a nostalgic feeling among the audience.
Rome Cluster ended the event with a blast singing That’s What You Get by Paramore bringing back the vibe of the old-school era and inviting the listeners to energize themselves. Its quick, fun-filled arrangement gets one grooving without a care in the world. Their second song was Bulong by Kitchie Nadal, another classic song that brought back nostalgia among the audience.
The event capped off with Rome Gladiators as the first runner-up and the Salamanca Tigers as the second runner-up. The Battle of the Bands beautifully encapsulate the constantly-evolving musical style of the learners through their daring approaches to techno, hip-hop, and R&B. If anything, the event is an unapologetic statement declaring that they are unafraid to be challenging, bold, and oh-so-forward.
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