Hard candy at 25

CEBU, Philippines — One of Cebu’s most well-loved bands from the late 1990s, Hard Candy, is set to reunite for a special concert marking its 25th anniversary, bringing back a sound that helped shape the local music scene.

Fronted by Kate Torralba (vocals and violin), the band will reunite with original members Milton Lee (guitars), Kooky “Cookie” Luis (keyboards and backing vocals), Jay Young (bass), and Wayne Congmon (drums) for a one-night celebration filled with music and memories.

Formed in 1997, Hard Candy rose from playing small Cebu bars to becoming one of the most recognizable bands in the province. Their breakthrough came at the 1st San Miguel Cebu Music Awards, where they won five out of 12 awards, including “Freefall” as Song of the Year, Band of the Year and Female Vocalist of the Year for Torralba. The win led to a recording contract with Phoenix Glide Studios and wider radio play across the Visayas. MCA Universal picked up “Freefall” for distribution in 2021 after it got traction for being the theme song of Derek Ramsay and Ellen Adarna’s wedding.

Their single “Freefall,” originally written by Torralba as a contest entry, became a regional hit and remains one of the band’s most remembered tracks.

“I know it’s now or never,” she said. “The things you say you’ll do someday, you end up not doing. You really have to set a date and do it.”

The perfect venue

The reunion will be held at Fiddler’s Bar & Grill, a venue that holds personal meaning for Torralba. The bar was formerly Cafe Adriatico Cebu, where she spent time with her late father, veteran journalist Choy Torralba.

“Celebrating our 25th anniversary there is very meaningful to me. Cafe Adriatrico, where the Fiddler's occupies, is the place where my father and his friends usually hang out,” Torralba said.

“And for me, there is something special about this space, because it is really a place to hang out.”

Fiddler’s owner Brian Noel said the venue was a perfect fit for the reunion.

“As Fiddler’s is known as Cebu’s new favorite live music venue, it is a place where families gather, and Hard Candy is the perfect band that resonates with our place,” Noel said.

As part of the night’s tributes, the band will perform "Lovefool," the late Choy Torralba’s favorite Hard Candy song, which he often requested. The band will also honor the late journalist Meyen Baguio, who was the first to write about Hard Candy during their early years, as well as the late Budoy Marabiles, known as Junior Kilat, who recently passed away.

What's next for hard candy?

The concert is expected to be a full nostalgia experience. Keyboardist Kooky Luis will be celebrating her birthday on the same night, with her husband, Mike Lewis of Freestyle, expected to join the celebration. Guest performers include Sheila and the Insects, Bdict Climaco, Warren Tan, and other surprise guests.

While billed as a one-night-only reunion, the band hinted that the anniversary may mark the beginning of something new. Torralba described their unreleased follow-up track as “the one that got away,” and confirmed that the band is “cooking something."

The reunion concert, dubbed Freefall Fest, will take place on December 20, 9 pm, at Fiddler’s Bar & Grill in Cebu City. For bookings, contact Arnel at 0917 355 5069. — (FREEMAN)