With the rise of various bands and artists in the local music scene, Original Pilipino Music (OPM) continues to thrive, offering a diverse array of genres.
Inspired by past generations of Filipino musicians, today’s artists are pushing the boundaries of music genres, whether it’s ballads, rock, hip-hop, or folk.
Among these artists is Munimuni, a Filipino indie folk band consisting of Adj Jiao (guitar and vocals), John Owen Castro (flute and vocals), Jolo Ferrer (bass), Josh Tumaliuan (drums), and Ben Ayes (guitar). Munimuni brings a distinctive sound to the Filipino music scene.
Formed at UP Diliman, Munimuni is celebrating a decade of blending folk with contemporary influences, creating a sound they call “makata pop.”
In 2014, they adopted the “makata pop band” moniker during an interview. What started as a joke became a reflection of their songwriting process—a blend of Filipino poetry woven into their lyrics and music.
“It was a joke that ended up making sense because, technically, our songwriting is poetry. We appreciate that it resonated with our listeners,” said vocalist and guitarist Adj in an interview with Manila Standard Entertainment.
The band also mentioned that their identity as a “makata band” has remained true, despite their years in the industry.
“Lyrics-wise, we don’t know if there will be future pressure. But for us, the music itself is a form of poetry,” John Owen shared. “The chords and arrangements are intentionally aligned with the lyrics, making it poetic. Even if you removed the lyrics, the music alone would still be makata in a way.”
Reflecting on their decade in the industry, the band emphasized the lessons they’ve learned.
“There were times I wanted to stop doing what I do, but I’ve learned to return to why I started in the first place,” Josh said.
Adj added, “One important lesson is to keep exploring the art of music itself. Our latest album, ‘Alegoria,’ reflects this as we push our creative boundaries, even after all these years.”
As they enter their new era, Munimuni is celebrating their 10th anniversary by headlining their third major concert tonight at the UP Theater in Quezon City.
The concert, titled Alegorya: A Munimuni Concert, is inspired by their sophomore album of the same name.
The event promises a fresh take on their usual performances and previous full-length concerts. Joining Munimuni are singer-songwriters Barbie Almalbis, Clara Benin, Keiko Necesario, and Any Names Okay’s Sofia Abrogar.
Presented by GNN Entertainment Productions, tickets for Alegorya: A Munimuni Concert are available at bit.ly/alegorya.
