By AC Putong and Dhel Sue Cabiara
Dumaguete City’s rock scene continues to make waves as the Rock Against Youth Apathy (RAYA) returned to the Hibalag stage on its 11th iteration in a battle of the bands competition.
Dubbed “RAYAOnse,” four local bands competed with their original music compositions during the finals night last Aug. 29.
The finalists were Rock-reggae fusion band QAJA, indie pop rock band Lunix, metalcore band Vessels, and Negros Oriental State University-based band Pathakara.
QAJA was hailed champion, Pathakara took home second place with their song “Tingog,” Vessels’ “Mechanical Eyes” secured third, while Lunix’s “Silob” followed at fourth place.
The winning band is composed of vocalist Mark Anthony Josue, guitarist Lidizta Aranas, keyboardist Rafael Villalon, bass guitarist Chubz Talado, drummer Baldwin Cual, and percussionist Dustin Mariano.
Ahead of the finals, seven groups also battled during the semi-finals last Aug. 9 at CHADAA Dumaguete to determine the top four.
Other semifinalists include Filipino rhythm group Adoboys, last-minute-formed band Short Notice, and indie rock act Soul to Soul.
According to RAYA Co-Chairperson Deniel Montemayor, they want to bring back the “traditional RAYA experience” following last year’s culmination event.
In 2024, a culmination event was held during the “RAYA Night,” which showcased the performances of previous winners and finalists, including emo band Aches, indie pop act Modern Cassette, and alternative rock bands Ramesses, Projecto, and the Nyords.
While the competition is back, Sta. Cruz mentioned that this year’s organizing team was still composed of first-timers organized by former members of Dumaguete-based collective-turned-record label Indievided.
Indievided has organized various music events such as BANGARANG, September Fever, Belltower Project Tres, and Indievided Connects.
The collective has also founded various spoken poetry and art events such as advocacy street party Looking for Freedom, concert event Balak, jam fest Indievided Night, and music collective Belltower Project.
It has also assembled Fête de la Musique in Dumaguete City, an annual music festival to celebrate music through performances from different artists.
Empowering youth
Sta. Cruz furthered that as an advocacy-driven competition, RAYA continues to serve as a “wake-up call” among the youth towards social issues and injustices.
On QAJA’s winning piece, vocalist Mark Josue said that it encourages the youth to be more involved in the “comings and goings of politics in the country.”
“[The song] encourages them/us to not just be merely voting for someone but to educate ourselves to the political landscape [of] our country,” he said.
He noted a line in the song, “Ayaw pagpadala sa mga matam-is nga dila,” which talks about “not listening to the sugar coated words of the politicians” but to actively research to know their true intentions.
“We hope that by way of music and performance, our bands will be able to move the crowd to be more responsible and upright citizens,” he added.
Josue also mentioned that they also took musical inspiration from rock-reggae fusion band Wilfreedo, which previously won RAYA 2016.
RAYA ended the 11-day celebrations of this year’s Hibalag Booth Festival from Aug. 19 to 29.
ERRATUM: Contrary to the initially indicated year in the article, Dumaguete local band Willfreedo won RAYA in 2011 and not in 2016. Quotes and other information in the article are shared by the two co-chairpersons of RAYA, Deniel Montemayor and Karlson Chris Sta. Cruz.
Other information are also added for further context and accuracy.
