Singing siblings

Aside from the famous Jackson 5 of yesteryear, several names of sibling artists, who have musical talent in their DNA, are among the popular ones in the music industry. Browsing through the Net, it would be impossible to miss the group of Jonas Brothers composed of Kevin, Nick and Joe, on the list of popular sibling singers in this millennial age. And just recently, this section’s editor, Ricky Lo, featured in his Conversations the talented and equally good-looking members of Boyce Avenue composed of brothers Alejandro, Fabian and Daniel Manzano.

The local music scene also has talented sibling singers. Remember brother and sister Jeffrey and Arnee Hidalgo? How about the vocal power of the Cercado Sisters namely, Almira, Irene, Mylene and Celina? Sisters Karylle and Zia are also excellent singers. Also not to be missed are Miko, Anton and Aiana Juarez, the newest talents of Asian Artists Agency (AAA).

Miko, Anton and Aiana come from a musically inclined family from Cebu. Miko is one-half of the Miko&Gab duo. Anton plays the guitar and is a singer-composer. Aiana sings and does covers of popular artists which she uploads online. Before their family migrated to Canada, they were part of a band called Game4 that also featured brother Guill (Anton’s twin brother) on bass.

It was last year when their family decided to come home to support Miko who tried his luck in the ABS-CBN boyband search Pinoy Boyband Superstar. He made it until only 12 contestants were left to compete. After he was booted out from the contest, Miko and another finalist Gab Umali were offered to sign a management contract under AAA that introduced them to the public as the singing duo Miko&Gab.

Anton, on the other hand, has found a career of his own. He composed Miko&Gab’s first single Hugot, and the follow-up single, Sino Ba Siya. Both songs were released under Star Music.

“One evening last year, I wrote Hugot from 11 p.m. to 3 o’clock in the morning,” said Anton. “It is very Pinoy as it talks about feelings of love in a way na may hugot. Uso yung mga hugot lines noon pa and so my siblings and I were so excited about its outcome.”

Hugot, a delightful novelty piece that mixes pop and electronica, is now released in digital format, accessible via Spotify and iTunes apps, and is now No. 3 in the FM station MOR 101.9’s Top Ten. The song, which now has a music video for fans to savor, was launched via a Facebook Live event. Netizens are raving about the duo and the song. 

Anton, feeling the instant success of his pop obra and enjoying the attention it is getting, exclaimed, “It is mind-blowing and overwhelming!”

Hugot contains lines like, “Mabuti pa ang pera nasusuklian/Ang pagmamahal ko hindi/Pag selfie nakangiti ka/Sa piling ko hindi.”

The song’s chorus, apologetically states, “Patawarin mo ako sa mga hugot ko.”

Only in his mid-20s, Anton now also writes songs for other artists as well, including one for Yeng Constantino which he is collaborating with Star Music’s Jonathan Manalo. He, too, penned an inspirational track called Take It Easy that is set to be performed by still an undisclosed lady singer.

Anton is also the composer behind Restart Back2Love recorded by such Kapamilya artists as Piolo Pascual, Yeng, KZ Tandingan, Iñigo Pascual, Ylona Garcia, Sam Milby, Sam Concepcion, Kiana Valenciano, Kyla, Kaye Cal, Bugoy Drilon, Erik Santos, Klarisse de Guzman, Liezl Garcia, Jed Madela, RJ dela Fuente, Migz Haleco, Jona, Aiana, Jake Zyrus, Miko&Gab, BoyBand PH, Xian Lim, Abby Asistio, Angeline Quinto and Katrina Velarde.

“The song is about spreading awareness for people to stop hating each other and let love prevail to get us back on track,” said Anton on the message of the song.

Anton’s musical influences include Justin Bieber and Bruno Mars. He started composing songs at 13. “As an artist, I’m trying to be flexible in order to offer what is new and fresh to music fans.” 

Meanwhile, Anton and Miko’s younger sister Aiana is like any other millennials: Active on social media. Aiana has her music vlog where she sings covers of famous pop artists. She is attuned to the latest trend in music and listens to anyone and anything pop. Check out on YouTube her Top 5 covers — Dying Inside to Hold You, Dahil Sa ‘Yo, Hayaan Mo Sila, ILSYB and Paris in the Rain.

Aiana underwent music workshops to further enhance her talent. She was also a standout at the just concluded SRATS (the young stars of Asian Artists Agency) concert at The Music Hall @Metrowalk that also included Miko (with Gab), Wilbert Ross of Hashtags, acoustic singer Drei Rana, ukulele girl Selena Marie, dance masters Mastermind and singer LA Santos. Anton served as the musical arranger of the concert where another one of his compositions, I Wanna Be On Top was performed by the artists. 

Next stop for Aiana, Anton, and Miko are the SM Mall tours which happen on June 9 (SM Valenzuela), June 10 (SM Pulilan), and June 16 (SM Sangandaan). Also featured in the tours are Gab Umali, Selena Marie, Drei Rana, Wilbert, Mastermind and LA.

(For inquiries, call 405-4423, 855-4765 or e-mail [email protected]. You may also visit Asian Artists Agency FB page.)