'Ikaw na beneficiary ko': Ben&Ben on caring for family, loved ones

MANILA, Philippines — Members of OPM band Ben&Ben shared their thoughts on how to show care for their loved ones, drawing inspiration from their song "Paninindigan Kita."

The band made its first public appearance in a long time as the ambassador for Pru Life UK at the life insurance company's FamLove Media Family Day held at The Island in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig last July 30, 2022.

Brothers Miguel and Paolo Guico, the band's lead singers, shared they had imagined partnering with an insurance company one day, and that this partnership blossomed because they share the same values of taking care of family.

"Hindi lang kasi kami bandmates, 'yung love namin sa isa't isa parang talagang family," said percussionist Toni Muñoz. "So because we love each other, we also want to protect one another."

Violinist Keifer Cabugao expounded on this notion of protection by saying the band's members constantly remind each other of what one requires or needs to do, from the small things to the big things.

"It's really easy to call someone 'family' pero one of the things that makes them your family is when you think about the realities, the problems," said the band's other percussionist Andrew de Pano.

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De Pano continued by using insurance as an example, "Alam mo nang pangmatagalan. It's like giving that person reassurance that you're really thinking about them for the long run."

Drummer Jam Villanueva echoed her bandmates' statement by saying that making plans is one of the best ways to show a person you care.

Keyboardist Pat Lasaten explained that the song's title means committing your best to a person. "Doing your best means making sure they're taken care of or nandiyan ka lagi... you're there for the good and the bad, for all of the changes."

Lasaten even joked, "Bagong love language na kasi 'yung phrase na 'Ikaw na beneficiary ko.'"

Senior Vice President and Chief Customer and Marketing Officer Allan Tumbaga said Ben&Ben is the "embodiment of the modern family," which is why Pru Life UK selected the group as their new allies. He called the folk rock band "warmhearted."

At the FamLove Media Family Day, Ben&Ben performed their hit singles "Pagtingin," "Kathang Isip," "Ride Home," "Maybe the Night," "Araw-Araw," and "Paninindigan Kita," the latter serving as their song with Pru Life UK.

"Paninindigan Kita" is one of Ben&Ben's newer songs, launched last April with its music video released at the end of June featuring Lasaten and bassist Agnes Reoma, who are a couple. 

As of writing, "Paninindigan Kita" has almost 13 million plays on Spotify while its music video is nearing two million views.

Ben&Ben is set to hold a send-off concert this September at the Cultural Center of the Philippines Concert Grounds before the band flies to the United States and Canada for its North American tour. 

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