For all it's worth, the controversy surrounding Shaira Moro, known as the "Queen of Bangsamoro Pop," and her viral yet controversial song "Selos," has turned the spotlight on Mindanao's music scene.
Read: "Selos" singer Shaira, may tatlo pang kanta na kinopya mula sa Indonesian songs
Outside Luzon, audiences have come across talented music artists from the Visayas, including Pilita Corrales, Dulce, Vina Morales, and Sheryn Regis.
Read: Sheryn Regis recalls telling ex-husband, daughter she’s a lesbian
Rock bands from Cebu, such as Cueshé, Franco, and Urbandub, also made their mark on the music scene.
These artists represented not just themselves, but the music scene of their roots.
Mindanao boasts a few music artists who have left a mark in the mainstream, although they are relatively few and far between, to say the least.
ZAMBOANGA'S PRIDE
Meanwhile in Zamboanga, a band has caught the attention of American record producer and concert promoter Hadley Murrell.
Rockin’ Like Thunder is a seven-piece band composed of Efren Calumpong (lead guitar), Anabel Perez, Honey Jimenez, Al Tarabi (vocals), Omar Tanjil (bass), Errol Calumpong (drums), and Richie Reyes (keyboard).
Rockin’ Like Thunder is made up of (L-R): Richie Reyes, Errol Calumpong, Honey Jimenez, Romar Tanjil, Anabel Perez, Al Tarabi, Efren Calumpong. PHOTO: Rockin' Like Thunder
Their musical influences vary, ranging from Queen, Guns N' Roses, Green Day, Metallica, Michael Jackson, and OPM groups like Parokya Ni Edgar and Eraserheads.
Read: Eraserheads reunite with actress in "Ang Huling El Bimbo" music video
Despite each member pursuing musical careers both locally and internationally, they have found time to collectively perform as a band for two years, garnering a dedicated following at their six weekly gigs in the city.
Nonetheless, they still find themselves reliant on day jobs, such as working in construction, motor shops, and sari-sari stores, to sustain themselves financially.
The band described the Zamboanga music scene as "rich in variety."
Omar told PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal), "We have Original Chavacano Music or OCM. There are many good, very talented musicians.
"There are solo acts and bands, many venues, although small, to listen to local artists.
"Local radio stations also play some of that music.
"If you remember Maldita’s 'Porque,' that’s one song that is homegrown from Zamboanga City that actually became a hit nationwide."
MAKING NOISE
In September 2022, while vacationing in Zamboanga, Hadley struck up a conversation about music with his designated driver tasked to show him around the city.
That driver was Efren, the guitar player for Rockin' Like Thunder, who invited Hadley to watch his band perform that night at a small roadside bar in Pasonanca Park.
Impressed by the performance, Hadley and his companions returned the following night to watch the band again live.
Hadley was impressed by the band's performance, particularly their medley of songs by the iconic British band, Queen.
The American producer and promoter knows real talent when he sees one. After all, this is the same guy who worked alongside music legends like The Jackson 5, James Brown, and Marvin Gaye.
The events unfolded past and Rockin' Like Thunder in December 2022 signed to Hadley's record label, HDM Records.
In March 2023, the Stank Brothers production team, consisting of Hadley along with Dwight J. Emile and Tomy Ge, traveled from Los Angeles, U.S.A., to the Philippines to lead songwriting and performance training sessions with the band.
The band admitted feeling intimidated at first working with Hadley's team.
"The first time I spoke to him, I was nervous because I had to speak in straight English," recalled Omar, who described Hadley as "easy to work with" and "hardworking, professional, and perfectionist."
Keyboard player Richie called it "a once-in-a-lifetime experience" and that they learned a lot from their insights.
"We were intimidated knowing that they have worked with many big international artists, but this challenged us to do our best and hone our musical talent," mentioned Richie.
BIG HOPES, BIG DREAMS
Furthermore, they recorded several tracks with the assistance of Awit Award-winning sound engineer Nikki Cunanan.
Nikki said about their first recording session, "They came to the Wild Grass Studios and it was their first time to record.
"I was really impressed by what they did at the studio. The first song was taken live with drums, bass guitar, and keyboards. It was recorded as a take-one only. The vocals were really good, their voices are astounding!"
The band takes a break between recording sessions at Wild Grass Studios, with Dwight J. Emile (left), Nikki Cunanan, and Hadley Murrell (center). Photo courtesy of Nikki Cunanan. PHOTO: Nikki Cunanan.
They met again at the studio in November 2023 to record more songs, and they finished the sessions "in a short amount of time" and with "astonishing results."
Omar reminisced, "Our second time at the studio, we were more relaxed.
"It all came more naturally because we knew what to do.
"We were still nervous, but less than we were before. We were already familiar with the studio, so our recording sessions were shorter. We were in the studio from 10:30 a.m. until around 5 p.m.
To date, the band has recorded a total of 10 songs, comprising a mix of covers and original compositions.
Their first single, "Rockin’ Like Thunder," is making the rounds in Zamboanga, and is accessible on YouTube, Spotify, and other online platforms.
"Hadley picked which songs we would cover. We just added our own touch to make the song even better and to make our mark," shared Omar.
Hadley, meanwhile, explained what made him convince the band to cover the classic country song "Tennessee Whiskey" by David Allan Coe.
"I have not heard a female version of it and I thought Anabel and Honey’s voices would be perfect!" said Hadley.
"The arrangement that they had made in the beginning was very different. After I gave them some feedback, they came up with the arrangement that we used, and I was delighted with it."
Continued Hadley, "I consider them a great rock cover group and I have nothing like that in my company.
"I feel the mixture of originals and covers in the album will hopefully have some success."