MANILA, Philippines - Down to its final eight, Oishi’s search for the crunchiest rock band in the country is a step away from turning four college musicians into the rockstars of their dreams. The winning four will tour as The Marty’s, win P100,000 and make it to the local band scene.
The finalist for vocalists are Eunice Grace Gatdula, 17, Asia Pacific College;
Sud Ballecer, 22, University of Santo Tomas. For lead guitarists the finalists are Chii Balanaa, 21, University of Santo Tomas; Nokie Dalangin, 17, De La Salle University.
Bassist finalists are Bam Butalid, 21, Asia Pacific College; Jay-R Castro, 21, Pamantasan ng Montalban. Drummers are Christian Malubay, 17, STI; and Leo Bonife, 18, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila.
The judges are comedian Ramon Bautista, rock advocate Gang Badoy, actress Saab Magalona, rocker-director RA Rivera and music composer Francis De Veyra. Even fans get their own fun because they also have a hand in choosing the final four.
What’s more, the website features illustrations from 18 talented artists from the local art scene — Valerie Chua, Rob Cham, Electrolychee, Soleil Ignacio, Anjo Bolarda, Tokwa Peñaflorida, Tof Zapanta, CJ de Silva, John Ed de Vera, Nolan Fabular, Lance Yumul, Mark Baul, Pauline Ty, Charlene Villamor, Ronn Bayker, Regale Sevilla, Marvic Lopez and Jocelyn San Jose–Talabis. The artists drew inspiration from youth and rock n’ roll.
The illustrations accompany the different band combinations for mixing and matching as fans create their own band out of the final eight.
You can still vote for your favorites at www.themartys.com.ph. Online voting for the final four runs until March 4.