Second generation artists take centerstagea

InnerVoices band founder and keyboardist Rey Bergado did not intend to pass on his musical background to his sons — 23-year-old Migo and 20-year-old Ronan — who are now both musicians.

However, after the lawyer came home from a stint abroad, the lawyer-musician discovered both his sons already knew how to play the guitar. It didn’t take long before the boys formed their respective bands on their own using the instruments of their dad.

“I saw the passion in them naturally,” Rey told The Philippine STAR. “I didn’t force them or influence them. On their own, they picked up my guitars and formed their own bands. I realized I couldn’t stop them. I bought them their guitars and I just allowed them to do their own music.”

Earlier on, Rey was asked by his friends if his sons were into music. “When they were growing up without doing music,” he said, “I thought no one took after me.”

But last year, Migo formed his own band and is now leading The Sonnets, a four-man group. “I really love music naturally,” said Migo. “I listen to music in my free time. It’s my decision to become a musician.

Ronan, meanwhile, is with 25 Abbey. He regards his dad as a big influence in his music. He picked up the guitar first and merely played alone for fun inside his room. He didn’t opt to join showbiz because he admittedly cannot act.

“My dad is a big influence that’s why I’m into music,” Ronan said. “We asked for his advice when we started the band, along with my bandmates, when we started performing. Up to now, we constantly asked for his advice.

Rey added, “Before, when they were younger, it was still raw to see them perform onstage. So when they asked me something, they probably felt bad when I gave them an honest answer. Unlike now that they are ripe to perform onstage. One time when I watched them after a long time, I was busy then with Inner Voices, they already played differently. They are no longer kids.”

The Sonnets

“Since then, I stopped meddling with them. They already know what direction to take, the kind of sound they want to project, the kind of music they play. The guidance still continues. My role as a father, I watch their performances. Even in the technicals, I don’t put my foot down. I just enjoy the night when they play.

“They are my sons but I see them as co-artists. They have their identity for the type of music they play. They have their passion. I hope the audience can support them when the bands play their music.”

The dad did not attempt to stop his sons. “It was hard to stop them,” Rey said. “When I started, I was still in school. I was in college with my band and my parents also didn’t stop me. I also took that journey. They trusted that I can do music and at the same time my studies. I gave the same trust and confidence to my sons that they will also finish their studies.”

The dad is admittedly “very strict” at home. “But we appreciate him,” said Migo. “He tells us it’s going to be a hard journey to be in the music business,” he added. “That there will be rejections in the music scene. But my dad is constantly supportive to us, through the ups and downs.”

25 Abbey.

The Sonnets and 25 Abbey are both part of the Universiteen 2.0, that recently introduced Gen Z bands that took centerstage in the Hard Rock Glorietta (Makati) stage. Other bands were Waki and The Winstons, Next One, Hey June, Better Days and Gracenote.

Ronan remembers the dad encouraging them to always practice as a unit.

The boys have no sibling rivalry even if they are both into music. Ronan first formed 25 Abbey and joined Battle of the Bands when he was still in high school. The Sonnets were subsequently formed, too.

The dad does not manage the boys. “They manage themselves,” he said. “People who want to get them go to them directly and book them. My involvement with them is very minimal. It’s just probably 10 percent of what they do. They are my sons but I see them as co-artists.”

The boys can even compose their own songs. Migo penned Lumalamig, Ambon and Hanggang Ngayon with The Sonnets. The songs are now streaming on Spotify, iTunes, Apple Music and other digital platforms. Ronan wrote Pagkakamali, Sa Akin Ka na Lang and Orasan with his bandmates for 25 Abbey. They also covered Tadhana, originally by Up Dharma Down.

His advice to his sons? “Don’t be lured by stardom,” he said. “Don’t take the easy path. Do what you have to do while you are still young with no family yet. Because once you start to have kids, you might not be able to sing with your band anymore.”

Meanwhile, InnerVoices disbanded and left the music scene early this year. “I got busy with my work and InnerVoices needs guidance when it comes to management and direction,” Rey said. “The members have their work also and other projects.

“When 2026 came, we realized we could no longer sustain the schedule of performing almost every day. I want them to pursue their businesses, their side projects, their art. Any time, we can always play together again when I’m still here and they are still around.”

A new band tagged as XIV (ex-Inner Voices) is coming out soon, led by Joseph Cruz on keyboards.