Bugoy Drilon and Daryl Ong are US-bound for series of shows

Bugoy Drilon and Daryl Ong are among the Pinoy crooners who sing straight from the heart.

Their genre of expression is R&B. Through it, the two share their gift to narrate the story and capture the emotion embedded in a song.

All this will be showcased in Bugoy and Daryl’s series of US shows, titled B.A.D. Boys of R&B, beginning on Oct. 13 at the Jefebet Center, Silver Nuggets Casino in Las Vegas and ending on Nov. 4 at the Celebrity Centre in Hollywood, California.

Music enthusiasts can also watch them on Oct. 14 at the Historic Bal Theater, San Leandro, California and Nov. 3 at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center, Oxnard City, California.

According to the concert organizers, the “B” and “D” in the show’s title are derived from the first letters of Bugoy and Daryl’s names.

“B.A.D.” can also be taken as its slang reverse meaning of “good” and “wonderful,” or to mean “astig,” a Filipino term for “strong and resilient.” With that, these talents can deliver inspired and solid performances on stage.

“I feel that the talent we have resonates with the genre,” answered Bugoy when he and Daryl were asked by The STAR about R&B as their chosen genre in a recent virtual group interview. “I started with music by loving and listening to R&B, but I went (and got sidetracked first) to ballad, pero bumabalik at bumabalik pa rin ako sa kung ano ang roots ko (I kept on returning to my roots), which is R&B. I feel, with us, the vocal technique we are using really resonates with R&B music.”

Daryl could relate to Bugoy’s musical journey and shared that, in his case, everything started by listening to songs being played on A.M. and F.M. stations.

“For me, you wouldn’t really know if something was for you if you hadn’t tried listening to different tunes. Parang sa pagkain, hindi mo masasabi na pinaka-masarap ‘tong spaghetti kung hindi mo pa na-ta-try yung iba,” said the singer, who is a super fan of Gary Valenciano, Backstreet Boys and NSYNC.

“When I was in second year of high school, I got to listen to Brian McKnight and Boyz II Men, parang iba yung connection sa akin ng mga songs nila (their songs seem to have a different connection to me),” added he. “So that’s when I knew that I wanted to sing this kind of songs.”

Though they express their artistry through R&B, Bugoy and Daryl also appreciate and explore other genres for growth and versatility.

Come showtime, what can the audiences look forward to?

“We already have an existing line-up of songs,” said Daryl, who also gave one an idea of the story around which the tunes will revolve.

“I think it will focus on old-time favorite R&B songs that have left (a lasting impression) on listeners,” added he.

Expect a repertoire of R&B tunes from the West and the Philippines, given the fact that Bugoy and Daryl have Jaya, Jay-R, Kyla and Ella Mae Saison on their list of Original Pilipino Music (OPM) R&B artists they look up to.

Aside from gracing and headlining live performances, Bugoy and Daryl also shared what they intend to foray into in the coming months and next year.

“The last time I released an album was, I think, in 2012,” said Bugoy, who was perhaps referring to Nang Dahil Sa Pag-ibig. “I’m planning to release one next year. The album will be very special and sentimental to me.

“Most of the songs will be based on my own stories, my own experiences and the people that surround me. At the same time, I’m part of the production and I hope they (the listening public) will support me and the album. I feel like they will see what my artistry is with it and (the album) will be independently produced.”

Daryl, who was lucky to listen to these compositions in their out-of-town shows, had only good words for his friend’s project.

“I ask the help of those who have the means to promote his content, especially in the US market, his songs that I’ve listened to are for (such a) market, which is different from Paano Na Kaya? (Bugoy’s first single from his debut album). You’ll be surprised when you listen to (his songs), na OK rin sa tunog ng boses ni Bugoy itong ganitong kanta (these songs also fit his voice),” said he.

With Daryl, he is bent on creating original content, which he, as the artist also known for singing teleserye theme songs, described as “more personal, more story-driven, and with more connection, let’s say, to my life and my family.”

“I hope that after the series of B.A.D. Boys of R&B shows in the US, I’m also looking forward to bringing it to places in the country such as Davao and Bacolod,” concluded Daryl.

(Bugoy and Daryl’s shows are presented by Coromar Entertainment, Enteng the Dragon Productions and Berce LLC. For details, call 7028569723, 8888188708, 7022188593 and 7028812515 or visit entengthedragon.com.)