VIVA AIRPORT: BEATS TIKANG NORTE WARAY

Remember July 2018? When KBOX STUDIOS was invited to judge a Battle of the Bands in Balangkayan, Eastern Samar? NO? GET A LIFE! CHECK OUR BLOGS at www.kboxstudios.com.

A band from Northern Samar finished 3^rd place out of the 13 bands that participated in that competition. However, KBOX STUDIOS was not after judging who was who that evening. We went there to fish for emerging bands and talents in this part of Region 8.

Indeed, this group of six musicians who called themselves Viva Airport got our attention. Despite of the 3-song limit, they were able to nudge and satisfy what our ears were after.

Viva Airport now is Jeff Tejero – vocals, Rick Ryan Destura – bass & back up vocals, John Paul Acquiatan – keyboards, Milfred Manlangit – guitar, Paul Rick Mengullo – Drums, and Benj Aliposa – guitar/back up vocals who also writes and arranges all their songs. Check them at their Facebook page.

KBOX TV interviewed the band while they were recording their first album at the KBOX STUDIOS. They performed LABATPERSTSAYT and TITIG during the interview. Both songs are included in the album and purely defines what an island beat from the north is all about. It was earnestly humbling to know them and how it all began.

Coming from the same neighborhood in Barangay Airport Village, Catarman, town capital of Northern Samar — Jeff, Benj together with the original members namely Mark Jesson Delmoro – bass and Carlito Barandino Jr. – beatbox, posted 4 songs on Facebook back in 2016 namely; TNP (Tibok ng Puso), KRASS , TITIG, and NAHULOG. These posts went viral in no time and the videos were shared for up to 10K (and still counting) via Facebook.

This Viva Airport magic raised eyebrows and had them performing in big events, famous bars, radio stations, and even TV networks in Manila. These earned them a major product endorser for Macbeth Philippines.

Another Viva Airport highlight is when they got invited to play at the FILSCAP Songwriters Night back in February 2017. Then all of a sudden the band’s dream-life came to a halt when reality got in the way.

Viva Airport has to retreat to home base because of all given factors that most bands encounter in the capital. Despite of being a crowd-magnet for live performances; nobody took time to embrace them fully. Plus, they do not have a hard product to back up their music after every show anyway.

Cerebro Bar invited Viva Airport to perform in the first night of a month-long 7^th year anniversary celebration. The band performed 18 original compositions and we all digested their story through an adrenaline-hyped showcase in just one set. It was like, “HALA NGA P*#A !!!”.

KBOX STUDIOS is more than privileged to witness this tight group perform in full force. Viva Airport is a great experience and just like that – we decided to be a part of their story.

WE RECOGNIZE. WE VALUE. WE NURTURE.