True Faith lost and found

True Faith vocalist Medwin Marfil looks back at the time when their songs ruled over music charts, their albums received multi-platinum awards, fans packed all their gigs, and admits that episode in the band’s 13-year history was overwhelming and tiring.

"There came a point when I felt things became routinary," he said. However, the 33-year-old vocalist quickly adds that the support of the band’s followers has always been inspiring. "I just felt confined with the demands of the trade. I really resented the thought that I have to sell my works of arts."

In 2003, True Faith, composed of Medwin, bassist Rudolf Angel Yance, keyboardist Jake Cielo Lumacad, drummer Benedict Esguerra, guitarist Kenneth Ilagan and rhythm guitar player Eugene Marfil, released its album, Grace. Unfortunately, the band failed to promote this record, resulting in the lukewarm reception the CD got from the public. Slowly, Medwin felt their group was inching their way out of the music industry’s orbit.

But instead of losing "true faith" in their musical journey, this low point in their band’s career served as a blessing, a turning point that made Medwin see the sound biz in a better light.

The product of this enlightened attitude is evident in True Faith’s EMI Philippines album, Stray to be Found, which perfectly translates into melody and words the process Medwin had to go through to bounce back after a two-year hiatus from the recording scene.

Asked why the album was billed as such, Medwin replied, "In our life’s journey, whether in our careers or personal lives, we have to be lost to know where we ought to be. In love, we have to get hurt to fully understand what it is. That is basically the theme and inspiration of the album."

He adds that the new album, scheduled for release in September, speaks of love, separation and redemption. He also assured fans of True Faith that the album will showcase the band’s signature sound-free and easy, sometimes mellow and acoustic, sometimes rockin’ with a tinge of new wave and British pop.

Aside from the album, True Faith has every reason to be excited, especially with the revival of the band wave in the country. "With Hale’s successful debut album and Bamboo’s continued dominance in the charts, the band scene is really alive," Kenneth notes.

"With the new band movement, the trend has obviously gone full circle and we’re happy when this happened, we’re still together. We are still True Faith," Eugene says.

By late September, True Faith will tour key cities in the US. The band’s new website is under construction and is scheduled to be launched later this year.

On its 13th year, True Faith continues to prove itself as a pop icon which can stand the test of time in the sometimes tumultuous band scene.

Eugene shares, "As a band, we acknowledge that music and life complement each other. Without life, there is no music and as long as life exists, True Faith’s music lives."