David vs. Goliath Wins 2011 RHB Muziklaban

Davao-based band David vs. Goliath won the Red Horse Beer Pambansang Muziklaban 2011. They bested three other bands in the finals held last night, January 28, 2012, at the Aseana Business Park in Parañaque City.

David vs. Goliath won P500,000 in cash, an album launch sponsorship worth P300,000 and an endorsement contract with Red Horse beer worth P200,000, not to mention the bragging rights to be called a Muziklaban champion.

The other three bands who competed last night were Mind of Clay of Legazpi City, Albay; Zephaniah of Baguio City; and Leviticus of Cebu City.

All the four bands were given P15,000 each for being semi-finalists. Another P50,000 was given to the winner of the RHB Jingle Composition and it went to the band Alikabok.

It was past 6:30 PM when the program started with the Red Horse Beer anthem performed by Kevin Roy (Razorback) and Jamir Garcia (Slapshock). It was followed by the grand opening number of The Dawn, Pepe Smith, Ely Buendia, Greyhoundz and Slapshock.

The competing bands each performed with vocalists of popular rock bands before doing their contest pieces. Mind of Clay performed with Mark Abaya (Kjwan), Zephaniah with Kevin Roy (Razorback), David vs. Goliath with Reg Rubio (Greyhoundz) and Leviticus with Ian Tayao (Wilabaliw).

2010 Grand champion Light of Luna performed before the winner was announced. The band performed songs The Start of Our Alarm and Pop Alligator to the delight of the crowd.

The first Beer Break happened after the awarding of winners which allowed everyone to enjoy the extra strong Red Horse Beer for only P20 a cup (and cups were big).

The real party happened after the first break. Rock icons from the 70s, 80s and 90s performed. Bands ranged from  Juan Dela Cruz Band and Maria Cafra for the 70s, Freddie Aguilar and The Dawn for the 80s, and Pupil, Razorback, Greyhoundz and Slapshock for the 90s.

New Millenium rock bands included Kjwan, Wilabaliw, Rocksteddy and Franco among others.

Among the popular personalities who hosted the show were Julia Clarete, Lovi Poe and Francis Reyes.

There were also side events like tattoo competition, tarot card reading booths and even bungee trampoline!

It was (literally) a whole night of fun. There were a couple of mosh pit kids we saw being carried out unconscious but things like those are normal in a rock concert. One should really go up to the mosh pit at their own risk.

Registrations are already going on for the 2012 Muziklaban. It's still a long wait but I'm sure it will be worth it.

Rock on!

The Bloomfields Releases Music Video for "It's Complicated"

The Bloomfields has released the music video for their single titled It's Complicated. Directed by Chuck Gutierrez, the music video stars the hot model Maxine Mamba.

It's Complicated is included in the band's Hit the Ground Running album that was released last year.

The song topped RT 30 Countdown for almost two months beginning November 18, 2011. It went fourth last January 6, 2012.

Watch the music video of The Bloomfields' It's Complicated below.

RHB Pambansang Muziklaban Ticket Promo!

The Red Horse Beer Pambansang Muziklaban is happening this Saturday, January 28, 2012, 6:00 PM, at Aseana City, Macapagal Blvd. Parañaque City.

Do you have your tickets yet? If not, this is the best time to buy for RHB is giving away freebies for bulk purchases.

Ticket Promo:

• Buy 5 tickets GET 1 FREE ENTRANCE (beer not included)
• Buy 10 tickets GET 1 RED HORSE BEER ROCKET BUCKET FREE
• Buy 30 tickets GET 1 RED HORSE BEER ASTIG JACKET FREE

Tickets, at P50.00 each, is inclusive of 1 FREE beer. You may buy your tix at the following:

1. San Miguel Head Office Gate 3, St. Francis Ave. along Megamall. You may also call 632-2226 or 632-3367
2. Dickies Stores
   1. Metropoint Mall
   2. Farmers Plaza
   3. Sta. Lucia East Grand Mall
   4. Ever Grand Central
   5. Ever Commonwealth

This promo is valid until January 26, 2012. To avail of this special promo, you may contact Jelle Pascual at 632.2226.

The contenders

The bands who made it to the 2011 list of contenders are:

1. Curbside (Manila)
2. Mind of Clay (Legazpi City, Albay)
3. Zephaniah (Baguio)
4. Leviticus (Cebu City)
5. David vs. Goliath (Davao City)

But more than that, get to see your favorite bands perform live! List of guest performers include Razorback, The Dawn, Ely Buendia, Greyhoundz, Slapshock, Freddie Aguilar, Wilabaliw, Kjwan, Rocksteddy, Franco, Tanya Markova and much more!

Gates open at 5 PM, but the fun is until the wee hours of the morning. See you there!

Red Horse Pambansang Muziklaban Grand Finals on January 28

Red Horse Pambansang Muziklaban, the number 1 Pinoy rock competition, will be having its grand finals on January 28, 2012 at Aseana City in Macapagal Boulevard, Parañaque.

Ely Buendia will be there along with popular Pinoy rock bands that include Slapshock, Greyhoundz, Wilabaliw, Razorback and Kjwan.

PULP Summer Slam 12: The Apostles

Good news to rock fest lovers!

Six international heavy metal bands headline PULP Summer Slam 12: The Apostles which is happening on April 28, 2012, Saturday, at the Amoranto Stadium. The bands include Blessthefall, Darkest Hour, Periphery, August Burns Red, We Came as Romans and Arch Enemy.

And since it's PULP's 12th year (and the apostles are 12 as well), 6 more bands will be performing and they will be revealed soon!

Tickets will soon be available at TicketNet, TicketWorld and SM Tickets outlets.

Watch the PULP Summer Slam 12: The Apostles teaser video after the jump.

Rock the Riles Line-Up of Performers

Rock the Riles presents more than 80 bands in 8 simultaneous concerts. It happens on December 11, 2011, 2-7 PM at different stations of the MRT.

Here's the line-up of performers in their corresponding MRT station:

TAFT STATION
Tanya Markova, Giniling Festival, Stonefree, Soapdish, Above Zero, Wika, Heavy Heavies, Hatankaru, AJKA, Soundvent, Eevee, Letter Day Story, Kaligta, Kilos, Circa, Not So Fast, Philia, Ginoong Vitalis, Druvatara, Game Theory, Nyctinasty and Ciudad Tribu — Rocking vs Hunger.

CUBAO STATION
Noel Cabangon, Paramita, Hijo, Hilera, Turbo Goth, Camerawalls, FMD, Top Junk, Chongkeys, Ganhava, Alex in Wonderland, Miko Pepito, Faintlights, Allecia, Nityalila, OG Sacred, Midsummer, LTNS, and Toyo. Presented by Dakila — Rocking for Global Trade and Development.

SHAW STATION
Ebe Dancel, General Luna, Paolo Santos, Silent Sanctuary, Peryodiko, Duster, Malay, Kala, Paraluman, Gracenote, Kai Honasan, Akasha, Flying Ipis, Never the Strangers, Playphonics, Naked Lights, Armed Aesthetics, Progeny, Beyond Science and Fiction, Imaginary Friends and Ani Bughaw — Rocking for Education.

AYALA STATION
Radioactive Sago Project, UpDharmaDown Encounters With A Yeti, Musical O, Sleepwalk Circus, Hidden Nikki, The Charmes, Not Another Boy Band, Dr.Strangeluv, FilterKeen and Steady Machine. Presented by Terno Recordings — Rocking for the Environment.

BONI STATION
Flippin’ Soul Stompers, Big Band Groove, Collie Herb, Goodleaf, The Oemons, The Go Signals, Fingertrap, Jeepney Joyride, The Strangeness, Nanay Mo, Tirso Cruise Three, Kevin's Express and Wilderness — Rocking for Gender Equality.

BUENDIA STATION
Intolerant, Reklamo, Bad Burn, Odat, Trapeze, Penguin, Gab n' Josh, Parada, Arcadia, DOA,Fuzz, Pocket Full Of, Imelda, Love Sax and Magic, Htachbanko, Around the Metro, Lights in Transit, Last Minute, JZE, Lady Ransom, Jensen Gomez, Archievals, Harlequin Carnival, Twin Lobster and Sleep is the Enemy — Rocking vs HIV/AIDS, Malaria, and Preventable Diseases.

QUEZON AVE STATION
CinemAlexis Film Showing — Rocking for Maternal Health.

NORTH AVE STATION
Mayonnaise, Tonight We Sleep, Hansom, Subscapular, Sirens, Chris Cantanda, Blue Boy Bites Back, Pull It Surprise, Inday Bote, Jejaview, Save Me Hollywood and Shoulder State. Presented by Mary Moon Productions — Rocking for Children's Health.

The MTV Exit 2011 Experience

Some friends and I attended MTV Exit free concert last Saturday. It was all worth the effort of going to SM MOA Concert Grounds even if we arrived a little late.

Ramon Bautista, Tado and MTV Asia VJ Holly hosted the event which was all about raising awareness to increase prevention of human trafficking and exploitation.

Pupil performed and Ely Buendia was such a compelling singer. He still never fails to give me goose bumps with his singing. Parokya ni Edgar made the Concert Grounds so alive with their popular hits like Pizza Pie and Buloy. Sad to see Vinci Montaner a little out of shape but he made the mosh pit wild when he went down and sang among the crowd.

But what really made the free concert exciting was the special appearance of Jason Mraz who's an anti-human trafficking advocate. He was in the country for his concert October 30th and decided to drop by at the MTV Exit event. He didn't sing, though, except for a few acapella lines of I'm Yours. He gave a little speech encouraging the Filipino audience to join him and MTV Exit in the efforts to end slavery.

Korean pop sensation Jay Park was last to perform, treating the K-Pop fans (and they dominated the mosh pit) to a number of dance tunes, taking off a piece of clothing every now and then. The fans went wild when he went shirtless before he left the stage.

Vice President Binay, Secretary De Lima and the president of the Visayan Forum Foundation also gave a talk about ending human trafficking. We heard Dingdong  Dantes, MTV Exit Celebrity Ambassador in the Philippines, was also there but it was only his pre-recorded video that we saw. Also on video was boxing champ and congressman Manny Pacquiao who also supports the cause.

photo of Ely Buendia via MTV Exit Facebook page