Filipino musicians get ready to ‘Rock That Love’ at du Arena

Ahead of the much-anticipated concert at du Arena, newly-wed singers Yael Yuzon and Kaylle Tatlonghari tell The National why this trip is the honeymoon they never had, Parokya Ni Edgar promise a spoof love song for fans, and acoustic group MYMP can't stop raving about Ferrari World.

Newlyweds Karylle Tatlonghari and Yael Yuzon. Photo by Jasmine Buckingham

Award-winning Filipino bands and artists – Parokya Ni Edgar, Rico Blanco, Sponge Cola, MYMP, Sitti Navarro and Karylle Tatlonghari – are in town for Abu Dhabi’s biggest Pinoy concert ever. At a special meet-and-greet on Thursday, February 12 – a day before their performance at du Arena – they talk about singing their hearts out to all their fans on the eve of Valentine’s Day, trying the roller-coaster at Ferrari World and why Abu Dhabi is good for their creative energy.

Honeymoon travels

Sponge Cola singer Yael Yuzon and Showtime TV host and songstress Karylle got married in March 2014, but claim the Abu Dhabi trip brings up the honeymoon they never had.

"Yael is very romantic," says Karylle. "You'd think because he's a rock star it wouldn't be the case, but he's very expressive. And I guess that shows in his songs. That's how he got me, by writing music for me – like the song Tambay, which means a very casual, hangout date. That song is very out of character for me. I'm very formal, I used to be a ballerina. But Yael brings out the casual, carefree side of me."

Furne One for fashion

Yuzon, though, may be in some trouble with his wife when she finds out he bought her a US$10 (Dh37) shirt for Valentine’s Day.

“I didn’t have much time to prepare anything,” he says. “Normally I do all these big gestures, but I got her a yellow shirt from this obscure indie rock brand from California because she likes feeling like she’s in a band (it was supposed to be mine but it didn’t fit). I hope it pans out OK.”

Karylle won’t be donning her new shirt for the concert – instead she’s planning to wear a creation by Dubai-based Filipino designer Furne One, who also designed her wedding dress.

“I’m not a very fashionable person, but I do have my favourite designers and he’s one of them,” she says.

Songs from the heart for Filipino expats

Karylle, who is on her first trip to Abu Dhabi, was treated to a free lunch by some eager fans when she was out and about in town on Wednesday.

"Everyone's so sweet. They just want to touch base with people from back home. Bringing acts over here from home is great for homesick Filipinos. It's pretty hard to be away from home. I experienced it for four months when I did The Kitchen Musical in Singapore [a Singaporean musical restaurant drama TV series]. Although it was for a short time, I did feel homesick. Everyone back home is so close. And Valentine's Day is so big back home, so coming to the concert will make Filipinos here feel less lonely."

Singalong sets

Cuzon says Filipinos are very romantic people. “We don’t have the Eiffel Tower, but we have ‘I feel power’.”

The band’s drummer Tmac Cruz dryly adds: “We are definitely as romantic as our friends in France. Our version of the Eiffel Tower is Mall of Asia.”

Guitarist Armo Armovit says he expects the crowd on Friday night to join in with the singing on stage. “Filipinos love to sing – it’s like a live, united, karaoke version when watching a band or DJ. Filipinos will always sing along to all songs.”

Parokya Ni Edgar return

The band Parokya Ni Edgar are the most well-established act of the line-up. They’ve been around for 20 years, and are currently midway through recording their 12th album.

“We’re most similar to Weird Al Yankovic. He’s this artist in the US who spoofs existing songs,” says drummer Dindin Moreno. “We make funny music about ordinary life.”

Bass player Buwi Meneses adds: “We’re about the honesty that we put into our music.”

The band have a loyal fan base in the UAE – this’ll be their seventh time performing here. “We get a lot of comments on our Facebook page from our UAE fans,” says Dindin. “We’ll be doing a special love song spoof during the concert here.”

Going for a spin at Ferrari World

MYMP (short for Make Your Mama Proud) are an acoustic band founded by Jacques “Chin” Alcantara. It’s their first time here in the UAE, and they’ve already spent a day at Ferrari World. “We rode the fastest rollercoaster in the world and I won’t be doing that again! It’s too fast,” says Chin.

Music on the mind

Rico Blanco (formerly of the band Rivermaya) arrived in Abu Dhabi straight from a movie premiere in the Philippines.

"One of my songs from several years ago, Light in the Darkness (Liwanag Sa Dilim), has been turned into a movie theme," says Blanco. "They managed to convince me to do a bit role in the film as well. It's a fun, coming-of-age movie."

Rico also runs a record label and management company, Balcony Entertainment, which just finished producing the second album of the band Never the Strangers.

“We’re working on the release later this month,” says Rico. “My next project will probably be an original, full-length album – it’s been a while since I put out an LP. Just this morning while having breakfast here in Abu Dhabi, I wrote about five songs. So far, Abu Dhabi’s been good for my creative energy! Hopefully by the time I get home, I’ll have a few more written.”

• Tickets for Rock That Love are Dh95, and Dh195 for the fan zone, from www.ticketmaster.ae