Historically, music is like a deluge of overflowing influences culminated into one sound. Like the band Babaylan, whose members come from different classes in the society, but teemed in creating music altogether.
“My mom is a classically-trained pianist who also used to write jingles for radio and tv commercials. She and my dad had a rock and roll band together before I was born. My three older brothers played the guitar, drums, and the piano respectively, and had bands of their own, confesses Tanya ileto Diaz, Babaylan’s guitarist and vocalist. An alumnus of The Voice of the Philippines Season 2, she got to expose her vocal wares locally with the coaches and other guest celebrities on national television. It's hard to classify this band with just one genre. “We get invited to gigs with rock n roll and glam rock bands yet we get invited to metal gigs too. Ang hirap ng metal, puro sub-genre. When we make songs, we don't really think about the genre. Rock n roll lang lahat yan sa tingin namin e. That was the beauty of the 70’s, when people were not too concerned about labeling”, says Jesse Amunategui, guitarist.
Jesse loved music since he was just a toddler. “My dad introduced me to music, composing, arranging and executing them in the sort of "pro" level. He sings well kasi, plays the guitar, and has always been in the advertising industry, he also wrote jingles of commercials he produced. Although medyo iba taste nya, he still introduced Elvis, The Beatles, Sinatra, and Manhattan Transfer to me. Then yun mga tambay sa labas were the ones who exposed me to the 70s rock n roll, music has evolved into”, furthered Jesse.
“Abba, Beach Boys, Rico J. Puno, Victor Wood, Beatles, Megadeth, New Wave, Hiphop, collectively all genre, personally I listen a lot to Tears for Fears, Simple Minds, Deftones, Korn, Metallica, Lamb of God, Duran Duran, and Naughty by Nature”, declared Deks Fabella, drummer. Andrei Agulto, who plays bass, have influences including Tool, Pantera, Testament, Faith No More, Pink Floyd, Black Sabbath, RHCP, Eraserheads, Loads of Motherhood, Badburn, and Backdraft.
Formed in 2016, Jesse, Deks and Andrei grew up in QC, while Tanya grew up in Mandaluyong. The four eventually crossed paths due to their love for music. They had different bands before settling with Babaylan. DEKS used to be with Headtrip and Tyrant, while Andrei was with Hush, Headtrip, Spoke Nipple, Mortal Grudge and Pentavia. Jesse also associated with Pentavia, Mind Heart Blood, Mass Mortal Intent, Mortal Grudge, and SteelHorse. Tanya was with Xanctuary, and The Chair Turners. Andrei was with Pentavia.
The band's name, Babaylan, which is a term used in the Southern parts of the Philippines for ‘Seer’ or ‘Medicine Man’, sort of like our local version of an oracle or a wizard was adopted mainly because their songs are all about enlightenment in a fast tempo to boot. The group, by far, composed a 13-track album which is due for release soon from Tower Of Doom.
Jesse’s exposure to international artists furthered his skills when he and Drei played in Pulp Summer Slam twice and shared the stage with Lamb of God and Testament. “I was with SteelHorse at that time, under the management of The Doctor, Ramon Zialcita. I was lucky enough to play in a gig with Mike Hanopol, Pepe Smith, Stephen Lu, Resty Fabunan, and other local greats”, ads Jesse. Babaylan has played with local biggies like Greyhounds, Wilabaliw, Dahong Palay, and others.
Babaylan. Rocking their way, one gig at a time.
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