NESCAFÉ Soundskool Visayas elimination unfolds today in SM Cebu

WHETHER Visayas’ best college bands can repeat the region’s triumphant performance in NESCAFE Soundskool last year will be tested today as the biggest collegiate band competition unfolds at 2 pm in SM Cebu.

“We all know that the Visayas region boasts of a lot of good bands and I’m confident the bands that will make it to this year’s finals will make their region very proud,” says NESCAFE marketing and promotions manager Eileen Rose Bangcoro.

In last year’s competition, Lazy Susan from Tacloban City beat 12 other bands. Lazy Susan is made up of Philip Pagaduan on vocals and guitars, Diancarlo Mendoza on guitars, Jonathan Costelo on bass and vocals and Feddy Orpeza on drums.

NESCAFE Soundskool is endorsed by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), is instrumental in training the spotlight on the most talented, yet still to be discovered, young musicians in the country. It seeks to highlight the best of the country's young talents in a contest that not only gives them the opportunity to showcase their skills and music, but to learn from the country’s most respected music industry figures as well. 

 Also performing in this exciting leg of the competition is Callalily, one of the youngest and most talented bands in the country right now. The group serves as an inspiration for other young musicians in the country who want to make it big in the music industry one day. Callalily is comprised of of Kean Cipriano on vocals, Aaron Ricafrente on bass, Alden Acosta on lead guitars, Tatsi Jamnague on rhythm guitars, and Lemuel Belaro on drums and percussion.

“It is really going to be an exciting elimination leg; it will not just be a showcase of talent, but a concert treat for everybody as well,” Bangcoro adds.

The inning band will not only have a chance to go to the finals but also experience other perks that NESCAFÉ has in store for them.

First is the mentorship program in no less than the pristine white beaches of Boracay with members of the country’s top bands serving as their mentors. 

Here, they will not only get the chance to learn from the likes of Raymund

Marasigan of Sandwich and Ebe Dancel of Sugarfree, among others; they will also have the opportunity to jam with them through a concert series in Boracay, further exposing them to the music scene. Finalists are also given the chance for a make-over session, complete with radio guestings to get the full next generation star treatment.

This year’s winners, meanwhile, will receive P250,000 in cash and a record label deal from Sony BMG.

The grand finals of NESCAFE Soundskool 2008 will be held on November 15 at the ULTRA.

The NESCAFE Soundskool 2008 is also brought to you by Penshoppe, Island Cove Hotel and Leisure Park, La Carmela de Boracay Resort Hotel, Boracay Mandarin Island Hotel , Boracay Scuba and Odyssey.

You can keep track of your favorite bands on their way to the finals by logging in to http://www.nescafe3in1.com.ph.