Pinoy music group beats all in recent UAE musical competition

A group of six overseas Filipino music artists coming from different bands in the United Arab Emirates has emerged the champion in a recent musical competition in the Gulf state.

“It’s because of the Battle of the Bands only. Dun lang kami nabuo, nag-usap-usap, nagkakilala para makabuo ng isang banda at ngayon, itutuloy-tuloy na namin ito,” said bassist Emmanuelle Iglesia in an email interview, referring to a segment of Bayanihan 2018 spearheaded by Ronald Galvez of the Sessions DXB.

 

The 29-year-old chef at the Wild and the Moon Bar has been with guitarist and vocalist Bonz Saforteza, 25, system administrator at the Stree Group of Company; vocalist Lilac Catolico, 20, student at the London American College and marketing assistant intern at the Point Zero Floatation Center; drummer Benjo Ramos, 28, insurance advisor at the Al Futtaim Orient PJSC; keyboardist Twir Buan, 22, sales agent at the Musician’s Corner; and lead guitarist Irrel Caratol, 29, aquatics supervisor at Thee Petshop.

“Nanalo kami ng trophy at cash pero ang pinakamalaking award na nakamit namin ay ang pagiging champion sa battle at pagkakaroon na pagkakataon na makapagpasaya ng madaming kabayan,” Iglesia added.

Relatively new as a group in the UAE music scene, the "7th Symphony" has already encountered challenges in pursuing their goals.

“The challenge that we have encountered is time due to our different fields of work. Time to be together is always difficult for us.”

But love of music and determination have kept them together in pursuing their goals as a group.

“7th Symphony is not just a band or a group but a family. Kaya ang 7th Symphony ay magtutuloy-tuloy sa musika dahil sa aming nabuong pamilya at sa mga naghihintay na makita at mapakinggan ulit kami. Alam namin na kailangan kami ng bawat isang OFW dahil sa musika na nagagawa namin pangpawi ng pagod at lungkot.”

The band’s name, after all, symbolizes their unity.

“7th Symphony ang pangalan namin kasi anim kami tapos pinagsama-sama namin ang mga puso namin para makabuo ng isa pa,” explained Iglesia.

“Walang iwanan itong 7th Symphony kahit ano mangyari. Tuloy-tuloy lang for the love of music. Jowa lang nang-iiwan.” —LBG, GMA News