Band of Brothers

CEBU, Philippines - A triumvirate of young brothers is Cebu’s newest band to watch.

Formally introduced to the media in an album launch and listening party at the IPI Club House in Mandaue City, the Wonggoys drew enthusiastic applause with their “pop rock with a little bit of jazz and blues” compositions. Produced by veteran Cebuana musician Cattski Espina’s homegrown company 22 Tango Records, their debut CD “I’m Not Sure What To Say But I’ll Say It Anyway” dishes out 10 all-original easy to listen tracks.

Wonggoys, a collective moniker coined by their ever supportive mother Maricel Wong, is made up of Gabriel Keith Wong (main vocals/chief composer) and guitarists Kyle Miguel Wong and William Wong, Jr.

Gabriel, the eldest at 26, works as advertising department Creative Head of pharmaceutical giant IPI. William (18) and Kyle (16) are both Business Administration students at Center for International Education.

The best part of the band finally coming out with their own record was the constant encouragement of their family, without which this would not have been all possible. Their mom would oftentimes feign anger and nag the boys when they have yet to finish writing a song that’s due for recording. “Without the family’s push, we would be too lazy to be in this current state,” said Gabriel.

It’s this whole sense of family that was also palpable during their launch. It would come as no surprise then that most of their songs were written for a family member such as “Post No Bill”, a single they penned for their Papa Bill who passed away in a diving accident back in 2003. “Post meaning ‘after’ and ‘No Bill’ meaning we don’t have our Papa Bill anymore. It’s a song I wrote on staying strong and holding on,” explained Gabriel.

There’s also “Atch”, a song they wrote 20 minutes before their sister’s 18th birthday party. The album’s carrier single “I’m Not Sure What to Say but I’ll Say It Anyway” is one that Gabriel wrote especially for Kyle.

“We start a song by hanging out in the balcony talking, playing, or on seldom occasions, drinking. Kyle or I would have an idea on how the guitar riff would sound like. Then the lyrics just come out. It would take us not less than 20 minutes to write a song until the second verse and then it would take our mom getting mad because the song has to be entirely done for recording,” said Gabriel. The brothers list among their musical influences Jason Mraz, John Mayer, Fall Out Boy, Panic at the Disco, Incubus, Mr. Big, Extreme and Tenacious D.

Another album highlight, “Chase the Girl or Rule the World”, as the Wonggoys put it, is an evil scientist’s dilemma when he suddenly gets in love. Patriotic piece “Kalayaan”, sung in Tagalog, Cebuano and Hiligaynon is all about Pinoy pride, while “FB” is a little ditty inspired by a cousin (“Or was it an uncle?” — Gabriel) who fell in love with a Facebook buddy. 

Funky song “LIMB” (Like It’s My Birthday) talks about “kinky stuff you may want to consider doing on your birthday”. “HD” (Hong Kong Diaries) is a song they wrote about the time they went to Hong Kong without their mom — which means no adult supervision so they were “free to throw our lives away.” Finally, there’s “Bonus Track”, which is, well, a bonus track that you’ll have to listen for yourself to appreciate the genius and humor behind it.

Check out Wonggoys on their Facebook page (just type Wonggoys and click J) where they will soon post announcements on when and where their debut album will be available for sale. (FREEMAN)