OFW band lands record deal for ‘hugot’ song

Through a "hugot" song, four OFWs based in the United Arab Emirates have landed a record deal with a major label in the Philippines.

"The song is about wanting someone so bad but couldn’t have her even though you know that she wants you too. Parang ganyang hugot!" said Mark Legaspi, guitarist of Gatilyo, referring to their single "Bagyo."

 

The group has then performed the song during the concert of a Philippine-based hard rock group at the Club Epic, Capitol Hotel in Dubai in April 2017.

"We performed 'Bagyo' during Kjwan’s concert last year, and I guess or would like to believe that Joel Ellorin [band manager of Kjwan] kinda liked it kasi of all the songs we performed, he’s the one who wanted to release the song as our first single," he recounted.

Ellorin then shared the single to the executives of the Warner Music Philippines and representatives of the Radio Manila, a local concert promoter in the Philippines. The band got signed in January and went on a two-week promo touron February 9-16.

"It was a really quick tour. We played a series of back-to-back gigs with our rock heroes Kjwan, Razorback, Chicosci, Mayonnaise, Wilabaliw, and Fastpitch at the Saguijo Café, Route 196, and 70s Bistro," Legaspi said.

Aside from gigs in the Philippines, the band — Legaspi, David Ojeda, guitarist; Axel Florida, drummer; and Clyden Bonifacio, bassist — was also invited to several local radio stations.

"We started out in 2015 as a collaboration of musicians from different independent bands: I from the 3rd rail as a vocalist, David from the Goddamn Electric as a guitarist, Clyden from Verdad as bassist, and Axel from Stampede as a drummer," Legaspi said.

Since then, it has been opening for the concerts of Philippine-based artists Franco, Kjwan, Greyhoundz, Ebe Dancel, Sandwich, Parokya ni Edgar, Wilabaliw, Chicosci, and Slapshock.

"We do not regret pursuing music kasi we still have our stable jobs while we do this eh. We are also fine and happy with what we are doing so we do not regret the time we invested in the band. This is a passion project with or without the label and recognition."

Gatilyo has just released its second single, "Bihag," online. Legaspi said the song was written "for a friend who is in an abusive relationship, yung tipong parang laging ganon lahat ng maging BF niya." —KBK, GMA News