ROCK STARS, PERIOD.

Acel Bisa, Hannah Romawac, and Lougee Basabas will never be forgotten.

BY NIKA ROQUE / NOVEMBER 24, 2022

In Filipino music, female singers are often either biriteras reaching for those impossibly high notes or hugoteras tugging deep at your heartstrings, with little space left for other styles of singing.

But Acel Bisa, Aia de Leon, Barbie Almalbis, Hannah Romawac, Kitchie Nadal, and Lougee Basabas have carved a special spot for female singers in the Filipino music scene.

Armed with big voices, unbeatable stage presence, and their femininity that revealed their true power, the ladies held their own, fronting bands, giving it their all, and soon inspiring an entire generation of female singers — neither biritas nor hugoteras — who would also lean in on themselves and simply rock out.

Maybe, just maybe they can be given a label just for the sake of it: rockstars. Or perhaps better: these women are among the legends of Pinoy rock.

The six are coming together for TANAW, a one-night only show at The Theatre at Solaire on November 26.

In a recent Zoom interview with GMA News Online, Acel, Hannah, and Lougee recalled their heydays, shared how their simple lunch led to a massive reunion show, and went back to basics as they declared their love for alternative music.

Needless to say, “napasarap ang kwentuhan,” doesn’t quite describe the long-winded chikahan that transpired.

Hannah Romawac. Courtesy: GNN ENTERTAINMENT PRODUCTIONS

“I love music too much for people to influence me and [say things] like ‘Babae ka lang’ or whatever like that. I didn’t let it affect me.”
—
HANNAH ROMAWAC

“Music literally saved my life,” said Hannah, sessiOnroad’s vocalist and rhythm guitarist who brought to life the OPM classic “Suntok sa Buwan.”

“Kasi dun ko nalang pinour yung energy ko instead of going crazy,” she said.

“Yun yung naging outlet nating lahat eh. Parang safe space mo yun eh,” agreed Lougee of Mojofly.

While the ladies fronted bands and rocked it out to high heavens, they also penned their own lyrics and wrote their own music.

It was as confessional as one would let it, and as intimate as it could get — just the girl and her music, and pretty much nothing else.

“Because you're a girl, [it] doesn't mean you cannot wear jeans or play a guitar, and sing and be in a rock band with other guys di ba,” Lougee continued. “It kind of [breaks] the barrier. I'd like to think [that’s] the magic there [and] the positive image na nadadala ng mga female-fronted na banda.”

Says Hannah, “I can be up on stage in just a t-shirt and shorts and nobody will [mind] because we’re [all] here for the music.”

Meanwhile, the sweet-voiced Acel admits she was really drawn to alternative music because her voice, she says, can just be her own.

“Papasa yung boses ko [sa rock],” she laughed. “I can be myself. I can find my own voice and I can be comfortable with my voice.”

“Hindi mo kailangan magkunwari,” Hannah continued. “You can be who you are without pretense.”

More importantly perhaps, there was no competition among them.

“Walang comparison na sino mas mataas na boses diyan, sinong mas magaling magkulot. Walang ganung pressure,” Lougee shared. “[The people who appreciate] or [grew] up with our music like [our] music is because there’s no pretense, in your face, ito ako.

“They feel na if this girl can stand her ground and carry herself with dignity among men, di ba, it has a strong message eh,” Lougee said it best.

Clarifying that it’s not in any way sexist, Lougee said, “You can [just] be yourselves [for it] to work.”

“May permission to just be liberated, na wag na tayong mag-pretend,” Hannah added.

Harping on the no-pretense reality they all lived through, Lougee pointed out, “And even up to now na nanay na tayo, I would like to think na ganun pa rin.”

Acel Bisa. Courtesy: GNN ENTERTAINMENT PRODUCTIONS

“We know [music] is a gift. I don’t wanna keep it to myself. It's meant to be shared. So I'll put it out... Kung may makinig, wala, isa, madami, I’ll just be doing this hanggang sa kaya ko.”
—
ACEL BISA

“This is such a blessing to be given a chance to stand here amongst your peers, [to] be in this circle,” the Mojofly singer turned emotional.

In the middle of talking about their heydays, we simply had to ask what they’d tell their younger selves. For Lougee, it was to learn from their fellow artists.

“As much as possible, be like a sponge,” she continued. “And even if you feel rejected, don't let it bring you down [or take it personally]. It's okay.”

When Acel says, “Enjoy your friendships, the friendships that you’ve built” it becomes evident how big a role their peers played in their rock n’ roll lives — how important each of them were to each other while growing up.

Lougee Basabas. Courtesy: GNN ENTERTAINMENT PRODUCTIONS

“It's OK to feel sensitive kasi parang hindi ka nag-iisa. You can be vulnerable with all these other women and it's OK. No one’s judging you for that.”
—
LOUGEE BASABAS

For Lougee, she’s glad that everyone is finally allowed to show their emotions.

“It's OK to feel sensitive kasi parang hindi ka nag-iisa. You can be vulnerable with all these other women and it's OK. No one’s judging you for that,” she said.

“Kasi I think, we're all kind of hardwired to [say], ‘you’re strong, kaya mo yan,’ and you have to always be composed.”

Hannah answered, “But yeah, the beauty of this group is you do not have to hide eh.”

And if we may add — the beauty of this group is they bring everybody along with them.

A photo posted by Aia De Leon of lunch with Acel Bisa, Barbie Almalbis, Hannah Romawac, and Lougee Basabas quickly went viral. Photo: Aia De Leon.

It was only supposed to be a simple lunch. Aia invited Hannah and when it turned out that everybody else was free, a simple reunion transpired.

Because they have not seen each other in a really long time, they ended up talking about their family life, their kids, and being moms. Lunch lasted until the late afternoon. And then Aia posted their photo on social media.

“Today I had the privilege of having lunch with the queens, who I grew up sharing the gigging life with thru a couple of decades,” Aia wrote on social media last September, as she posted photos of them girls having lunch.

In their group chat, the girls saw their post quickly going viral and making the news.

“Di namin in-expect na people would react that way, na ang saya nila na nandun kami magkakasama,” Acel said. “Nakaka-excite din na ganun yung response from them.”

Something clicked.

After a few hints of getting together to jam, it finally happened. At Barbie’s house, the girls had fun harmonizing and playing non-stop music. About half their time was spent with even more chikahan.

“You would get that certain vibe na parang na-miss talaga namin ‘to,” Hannah said. “I guess hindi rin mapipigilan kasi there was a vibe na there could be something here.”

Everything fell into place in a very relaxed manner. GNN Entertainment reached out to Barbie and they moved from there.

Soon, a concert was set for November 26 at The Theatre at Solaire.

Still, Acel clarifies “It was all unexpected. That lunch was just a lunch.”

“Yung term nga ni Barbie is ‘divine appointment’,” Lougee answered.

Acel Bisa singing a hit. Photo: Nika Roque

“‘Di namin in-expect na people would react that way, na ang saya nila na nandun kami magkakasama.”
—
ACEL BISA

All this is something of a second wind, especially for Lougee and Acel, who admitted having seriously contemplated closing her doors on music in 2019.

“Ako, parang I was at that point na gusto ko na rin mamahinga eh,” Lougee said. She remembered praying for it, asking the Lord whether it is her season to rest from music and focus on her family, with her youngest child at just two years old.

And if the concert didn’t unfold the way it did, Hannah feels, “I wouldn’t be here.”

“I wasn’t naman in the path of being in music again, ‘cause I was like, I’m chill here,” she said. “Ang saya lang na babalik ako sa music and kasama ko ‘tong mga babaeng ‘to. Ang galing lang.”

“I guess we all got our answers from that small gathering. Fate kind of led us to be together that day. We’re all very grateful,” Lougee said.

Hannah Romawac rocking it. Photo: Nika Roque

“Music literally saved my life. Kung wala siya dun sa mga panahon na kinailangan ko siya, I wouldn’t know where I’d be right now.”
—
HANNAH ROMAWAC

It’s truly evident that their friend group is made up of nothing but love, support, and kindness. They help each other be at their best and show up whenever there are challenges.

“Talking about this show now, it's just so beautiful that six women in this season of our lives can be all up on stage supporting each other, lifting up each other. So ang ganda ng tema nung encouragement. Tsaka you know that susupportahan ka nila—ganun na feeling,” Hannah expressed.

“Sobra akong grateful kasi if it weren't for them, I wouldn't really be here. Kasi sila yung nag-encourage na ‘let's go. Let's do this.’ [It’s] exciting.”

According to Lougee, Aia said that they have this unique and deep shared connection.

“The way we can relate to each other, halos parallel kasi parehas yung pinanggalingan, kung nasaan kami ngayon, pinagdaanan. Parang nakakatuwa lang to feel hindi ka nagiisa sa journey na ‘to.

“Na yung pinagdaanan ko pala, ang sarap lang sa feeling na na-va-validate siya from another person, [and hear them say] na ‘hindi lang ikaw yun. Lahat tayo dumaan diyan.’

“It's such a blessing talaga to be encouraged by these women and, sabi nga nila, ‘When women unite, it heals the world,’” Lougee said.

Lougee and Hannah share a light moment. Photo: Nika Roque

“It's such a blessing talaga to be encouraged by these women and, sabi nga nila, ‘When women unite, it heals the world.’”
—
LOUGEE BASABAS

The girls also shared a quote from their friend Barbie, “when the tide rises, all the boats float.”

Another exciting factor would be how they would be performing in front of familiar faces from their gig days, their families—it is the first time for Hannah’s and Lougee’s kids, and Acel’s parents to see them perform—and to be able to share the stage with their best friends.

“Usually dati 'pag shows, 'pag may campus tour, may event, nagkikita lang kami sa backstage. Minsan nga di namin mapanood isa’t isa kasi nasa likod kami eh,” Acel said.

Now that rehearsals are underway, she added that having a Solaire concert still feels surreal.

“This is what I'm excited about—that we can share the stage together and watch each other [sa] one show na magkakasama kami.”

The concert’s theme would be all about empowerment, vulnerability, and purpose. But when asked to give a hint about what the actual show and setlist would be like, they gave a resounding, “It’s a surprise, bili nalang kayo ng ticket. Basta matutuwa kayo. Next question, please!”

But then Hannah said, “We will, of course, play music that will make you feel like it’s 2004. But also have collaborations where we'll pull on your heartstrings.”

“Have fun and don’t forget to bring tissues,” Lougee noted.