D'Kazins emerges champ in E-mall band challenge

Last July 27, the achievement of five young musicians with their mentor from A. Salonga School of Music was splashed on this page, their story aptly titled "Kazins: The Band to Watch".

Three months after, music protégés Jhelsea Maine Flores (vocals), Jogen dela Cruz (keyboards), twin sisters Whenvy Lyn Noel (lead guitar) and Whenvy Jean Noel (bass guitar), and Mary Adrean dela Cruz (drums) of Canjulao, Lapu-Lapu City rocked Elizabeth Mall Street Level and romped away with the plum in the Oktoberfest Band Showdown participated in by 14 other bands from various schools in the metropolis.

The five, as D'Kazins, sang a cover of "I Will Survive" and their "Naunsa Na?" single which was independently produced and is currently receiving airplay via 93.1 Smash FM - Cebu's Rock Fortress.

D' Kazins received P15,000 cash and a trophy, and has been signed up again to appear this Sunday at GMA-7 Cebu's variety show "Oi".

Anak sa Liking Kawayan was adjudged 1st runner-up and took home P10,000 cash plus trophy, while Chorus settled as 2nd runner-up with P5,000 cash plus trophy.

The inter-school band challenge was conceptualized by Elizabeth Mall with partners Pepsi Cola, Niña, Freego Jeans and Netopia Internet Café to give recognition to budding musicians in the elementary and high school levels.

Thirty bands originally signed up for the competition, but were later trimmed down to only 15 groups. - Maria Eleanor Elape Valeros