You know the words to their songs, know the melodies by heart. Now it’s time to sing along with Aegis as they stage their first major concert in Manila two decades since their first hit
Unless you’ve been living under a rock in recent years, you probably have heard or even belted Aegis’ “Halik” at least once, trying your utmost to ape the earth-shaking manner by which band vocalists Julie, Mercy and Ken Sunot deliver their lines.
On that note, you might also be familiar with “Basang Basa Sa Ulan” and “Luha,” among other hugot-laden Aegis tunes.
Indeed, almost everyone – young and old, rich and poor – knows the iconic Filipino rock band’s songs.
Well, why not? It all boils down to good old L-O-V-E, after all.
20 years since putting out their very first single, the members of Aegis still can’t believe how influential their music has become.
Trying to make sense of it, Julie offered this might be because their songs draw both “empathy and sympathy.”
She explained, “Ang mga kanta kasi namin, sobrang punong-puno ng hugot eh. Eh bakit nga naman po hindi eh, ang buhay namin mismo puro hugot din? Madali siyang masundan kasi halos lahat ng tao dumaan sa ganyang stage ng buhay lalo na sa usaping pag-ibig.”
Julie is no stranger to heartbreak herself.
“Sino bang hindi, ’di ba? Kaya nga siguro feel na feel ko ’yung mga kanta namin eh,” she said, laughing.
Surprisingly at this point in their career – with a considerable number of hits under their belts and a solid fan base – Aegis still gets stage fright.
“Mahiyain pa din kami eh,” Julie said. “’Pag umaakyat kami ng stage, kinakabahan pa din ako kasi feeling ko hindi namin kakayanin o magkakamali kami. Pero iniisip na lang namin na gusto namin kumanta, gusto namin magtrabaho, gusto namin makapagpasaya ng tao.”
Asked how she maintains her incredible lung power, Julie said it is all about discipline.
“Hindi talaga ako umiinom ng malamig. Maligamgam lang tapos bawal ang ice cream and matatamis. Tapos tulog lang, pahinga,” she said.
The band was originally known as AG’s Soundtrippers. It was in 1998 when they changed it to Aegis, upon the advice of Rey Abenoja’s (guitarist) brother, Celso, who penned most of the band’s song.
Completing the lineup of the band are keyboardist Stella Pabico, bass player Rowena Adriano and drummer Vilma Goloviogo.
The band got its start performing in bars then on cruise ships.
“Ang daming struggles talaga,” Julie related, recalling the early days of the group.
She shared that they used to peddle their CDs in malls by themselves.
Success eventually came after a DJ took a chance on their songs and played it on the radio. The rest, as they say, is history. Aegis further cemented their status when their songs were used in the acclaimed musical “Rak Of Aegis” in 2014.
“Nakakatuwa lang po kasi mula sa pabyahe-byahe nagkaroon kami ng mas maraming opportunity. Nagkaroon kami ng mga US tours, tapos dati hindi kami kilala ng mga tao, pero ngayon halos napupuno na po namin ’yung mga concert venues,” Julie enthused.
Asked about the secret to their longevity in show business, Julie related it is all about their love for music. The vocalist also noted their solid connection as a group.
“Masaya lang po kaming magkakasama eh,” Julie said. “Sobrang tatag po ng samahan pero siyempre minsan hindi maiiwasan ang ’di pagkakatindihan. Pero nagagawan naman po ng paraan kasi marunong kaming makinig sa isa’t-isa.”
20 years on, Aegis has already earned 10 platinum and gold albums.
But did you know Aegis is yet to perform in any huge concert venue in Metro Manila? Well, until now, that is. The iconic band will take Pinoy audiences on a journey down memory lane via “Aegis Na Aegis: A Story Of Us” at the Newport Performing Arts Theater (NPAT) of Resorts World Manila.
Aegis promises to give their best that night.
“Ito ’yung una namin na major concert sa Manila kaya ibibigay na namin lahat ang kaya namin. Kumbaga ubusan na ng lalamunan ’to,” Julie joked.
Turning serious, she added, “Ga- gawa kami ng mga cover songs. At tsaka kakantahin namin ’yung mga kantang bihira marinig ng mga tao na kasama du’n sa mga past albums namin.”
She admitted having mixed emotions about the concert but nonetheless, Julie is thankful they are finally given the chance to perform at a big venue in Manila.
Julie shared, “Sobrang masaya kami kasi meron nagtiwala sa amin. May naglakas loob na kuhanin kami at bigyan ng espasyo para maipakita ang talento namin. Sobrang salamat at hindi namin bibiguin ang mga kapwa namin Pilipino.”
Presented by Resorts World Manila, in cooperation with Ultimate Shows, Inc. with direction, concept and script by Lambert de Jesus, “Aegis Na Aegis: A Story Of Us” happens on Sept. 1.