KUERDAS Profile

KUERDAS, a group of musicians based in General Santos City, started out as one big barkada composed of musically inclined members. The group shared the same passion and shared the same dream- that one day they could make it big in the music scene. KUERDAS have learned to hone their crafts by joining school ensembles. Some of the members were exposed to reggae music during the Millennium & Tambolan Festivals in Boracay respectively. It was during this time that the band was influenced by reggae music. Bob Marley, Big Mountain, UB 40 & other reggae artists greatly motivated them to put up a reggae band.

Originally, the group was made up of the Ugbaniel brothers, their cousin & some family friends. In Kalilangan Festival 2003, a song writing competition dubbed as Kadsangal was launched. All artists with original compositions were invited to join the contest in which PEACE was the theme. At this point, the group decided to name themselves KUERDAS (a Spanish term for guitar string).The guitar has 6 strings so they deemed it best to consider themselves one of those strings, that it wouldn’t be possible for them to play if one of the members is missing. Hence, the name Kuerdas.

BAND ACHIEVEMENTS

During the time when acoustic invaded the music industry, Kuerdas was known to have played acoustic-reggae. They joined acoustic competitions which required original compositions as official entries. Fortunately, KUERDAS was declared Champion. The band had also joined Battle of the Band competitions and won several titles.

Now, the group is composed of 10 members namely:

JAY SON UGBANIEL- vocals/ rhythm (Band Major)
MARK JOHN UGBANIEL- main vocals
DEXTER MORIMONTE- percussions
ALLENA CRUZ- vocals
ROLAND ESLIT- percussions
JONATHAN JAY JAMORA- Drums
AGUSTIN YU- Lead Guitar
RUEL CADIZ- Saxophone
NOEL ESCALANO- Bassist
GLEN LANDERO- Keyboards

The band was able to share its talents and was able to introduce reggae music not only in SOCSARGEN area (South Cotabato, Sarangani Province, General Santos City) but to its neighboring cities and municipalities in Mindanao as well. Kuerdas never runs out of gigs and invitational shows because big companies like San Miguel Beer, Coca-Cola and Asia Brewery are banking on the group’s capabilities.

As part of the band’s achievements where love for its craft clearly manifested, Kuerdas was contracted to accompany a musical theatrical presentation entitled: Silangan ng Hangin, Kanluran ng Buwan. This is a joint undertaking of the Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Colleges and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts. Kuerdas members were also invited to take part in the musical presentation held at Iloilo City together with the performing artists of Koronadal City, the Kahayag Group. To be able to front act for artists like BAMBOO and MYMP is also one of the band’s major achievements.

Kuerdas was surprised that their love for music were recognized by Expat Travel and Lifestyle Magazine, an international magazine wherein the group was featured as one of the bands who livens up the night life and making it possible for the party scenes pulsating with vibes in General Santos City.

Kuerdas is pushing other musicians in the city to organize a musician’s organization to foster strong bonds and camaraderie between and among themselves and most especially to promote musician’s welfare so as to avoid talent exploitation. If realized, all musicians in the city will benefit from this endeavor.

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