Ben&Ben

Ben&Ben (formerly known as The Benjamins) is an indie folk/folk pop band in the Philippines. They consist of brothers Paolo and Miguel Guico on acoustic guitars and vocals, Poch Barreto on electric guitar, Jam Villanueva on drums, Agnes Reoma on bass, Patricia Lasaten on keyboards, Toni Muñoz and Andrew de Pano on percussions, and Keifer Cabugao on violin. The band has been known for their popular hits such as "Ride Home", "Leaves", "Maybe the Night", "Pagtingin" and the critically acclaimed "Kathang Isip".[1]

Ben&Ben
Also known asBen, Ben & Ben (2015)
The Benjamins (2015–2016)
OriginManila, Philippines
Genres
Years active2015–present
Labels
Associated acts
Websitebenandbenmusic.com
Members
  • Paolo Benjamin Guico
  • Miguel Benjamin Guico
  • Poch Barretto
  • Jam Villanueva
  • Agnes Reoma
  • Patricia Lasaten
  • Toni Muñoz
  • Andrew de Pano
  • Keifer Cabugao
Past members
  • Ben Sasis

History

2015–2016: Early Days

The first incarnation of the group had the Guico twins and Ben Sasis but the latter left the band around 2015 to pursue his BMX career. The Guico twins came up with the name "Ben, Ben & Ben" but later changed it to The Benjamins due to lack of impact. They wrote their first song "Ultimate" during their college days. Unfortunately, there are no record to be found of this song.

PhilPop Music Festival and debut EP

Prior to its formation as a band, the Guico twins (then known as The Benjamins) were best known for writing the single "Tinatangi" (interpreted by Bayang Barrios and Cooky Chua featuring The Benjamins), which won 2nd runner up and Best Music Video at the PhilPop Music Festival in 2016.[2] The duo released their debut EP in late 2016, and has been expanded into a 9-piece band. They signed with major record label Warner Music Philippines.[3]

2018–present: Breakthrough

The band released new singles and collaborations throughout 2018, including the song "Susi" for the movie Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral [4] and "Maybe the Night" for the movie Exes Baggage.[5] They composed a song, "Balik-Balikan"[6] for the music program Coke Studio Homecoming together with Sam Concepcion.[7] In the same program, Ben&Ben also covered a classic Sam Concepcion Feat. Tippy Dos Santos song, as well as the grand winning Phil Pop single "Dati" for Coke Studio Homecoming Season 2. They covered a new classic cover of the Jose Mari Chan hit Beautiful Girl in 2019.[8] They were tapped for the opening theme of the 2020 television drama series Make It With You.[9]

Toyota Music Fest

Ben&Ben performed in the 2018 Toyota Music Fest which was held at Filinvest City Events Grounds in Alabang, Muntinlupa. Included in the music festival's line up are bands like IV of Spades, December Avenue, Parokya Ni Edgar, Hale, Sponge Cola, 6cyclemind, Callalily, Silent Sanctuary, Rivermaya, Cueshé, The Ransom Collective, and Eraserheads' lead vocalist, Ely Buendia.[10]

2019

Debut album: Limasawa Street

Ben&Ben announced that they will be releasing their debut album in May 2019 after topping various streaming platforms and radio charts with hit singles “Kathang Isip,” “Ride Home” and “Maybe the Night”.[11][12] “Limasawa Street” is derived from the Butuanon word "Masawa" meaning light and is also the name of a street.[13]

First film

Ben&Ben were one of the starrings of the 2019 Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino film, LSS (Last Song Syndrome) alongside Gabbi Garcia and Khalil Ramos.[14][15][16][17] 10 original songs were featured in the film, namely "Ride Home," "Branches," "Leaves," "Kathang Isip," "Bibingka," "Fall," "Maybe The Night," "Mitsa," "Araw-Araw," and "Sunrise."[18]

Clockenflap Music and Arts Festival

In August 2019, it was announced that Ben&Ben will be performing in the 2019 edition of the Clockenflap, an annual music and arts festival held in Hong Kong. Including in the line up are artists like Halsey and Lil Pump, and bands like The Kooks and Mumford & Sons.[19][20]

National Geographic Asia

In November 2019, during the National Geographic Explorers Festival in Singapore, Ben&Ben became the first Filipino band to be named as #PlanetorPlastic ambassadors for Asia.[21][22]

2020

SXSW Musicfest

Ben&Ben was scheduled to perform in the 2020 edition of South by South West music festival, but the music festival was officially cancelled on March 6 due to the COVID-19 pandemic,[23] the result of an order by the city of Austin.[24][25]

Forever Beautiful: All for One Version

Ben&Ben, together with fellow Sony Music artists like Eric Chou, Kelly Cheng, Wafa, NYK, Benjamin Kheng, Narelle Kheng, Sezairi Sezali, Hà Lê, E.Viewz, Fatin Shidqia, Jocelyn C, Phil Lam, Jason Chan & Cath Wong, took part in a regional collaboration expressing solidarity and support for those affected by the outbreak of iCOVID-19 Coronavirus. All proceeds from the song will be donated to relief efforts by Han Hong Love Charity Foundation.[26][27]

Puhon!: A Ben&Ben FB Live Event for the COVID19 Efforts

In 27 March 2020, Ben&Ben held an online concert for the benefit of the frontliners battling the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19).[28]

Titled "Puhon!", a Bisayan word for "Hopefully", the project is an initiative to bring people together to combat COVID-19 in the Philippines by providing a timely and coordinated response to affected communities, and by building a network of courage and inspiration through stories and music.

The band aims to raise ₱5 million in donations.[29] As of 27 March 2020 via a tweet, the band said that they have now received nearly ₱3.1 million in donations since the site went up.[30]

First international single

Ben&Ben announced on social media that they will be releasing their first international single in April 2020 after reaching the 29th spot in Billboard's Top 50 Social chart.[31][32][33]

Titled "Doors", the band said that the single has a "quite sad but hopeful" theme that expresses people's feelings amid the quarantine.[34]

Band members

Current members
  • Paolo Benjamin Guico – lead vocals, acoustic guitar
  • Miguel Benjamin Guico – lead vocals, acoustic guitar
  • Poch Barretto – lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Jam Villanueva – drums
  • Agnes Reoma – bass
  • Patricia Lasaten – keyboards
  • Andrew de Pano – percussion, backing vocals
  • Toni Muñoz – percussion, backing vocals
  • Keifer Cabugao – violin, backing vocals

Discography
Main article: Ben&Ben discography

Studio albums

EPs

Filmography

Films
YearTitleRoleStudioNotesRef.
2019 LSS (Last Song Syndrome) Ben&Ben Globe Studios
Dokimos Media Studios, Inc.		 Ben&Ben is also the movie's co-producer. [37][38]

Accolades
Year Award Category Notable Works Result References
2018 31st Awit Award Best Performance by a Group Recording Artist "Maybe the Night" Nominated [39]
Best World Music Recording "Maybe the Night" Nominated
Best Inspirational Recording "Leaves" Nominated
3rd Wish Music Awards Wish Group/Duo of the Year "Ben&Ben" Won [40]
Wishclusive Contemporary Folk Performance of the Year "Leaves" Won
2019 4th Wish Music Awards "Maybe the Night" Won [41]
Wish Contemporary Folk Song of the Year "Sunrise" Won
Wish Group of the Year Ben&Ben Nominated
14th Myx Music Awards Song of the Year "Kathang Isip" Nominated [42]
Group of the Year Ben&Ben Nominated
Media Soundtrack of the Year "Maybe the Night" Nominated
6th MOR Pinoy Music Awards Band of the Year "Maybe the Night" Won [43]
2019 Entertainment Editors' Choice Awards (The EDDYS) Best Original Theme Song "Maybe the Night" Won [44]
"Susi" Nominated
3rd Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino Awards Best Original Song "Araw-Araw" Won [45][46]
32nd Awit Award Best Folk Recording "Branches" Won [47][48]
Best Song Written for Movie/TV/Stage Play "Susi" Nominated
2020 5th Wish Music Awards Wishclusive Contemporary Folk Performance of the Year "Mitsa" Nominated [49][50]
Wishclusive Urban Performance of the Year "Pagtingin" Won
Wish Group of the Year "Ben&Ben" Won
15th Myx Music Awards Mellow Video of the Year "Pagtingin" Nominated [51]
Song of the Year Nominated
Artist of the Year "Ben&Ben" Nominated
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References
  1. "Mapping out the musical journey of Ben&Ben". Bandwagon.asia. August 31, 2017. Retrieved July 16, 2018.
  2. Policarpio, Allan (July 25, 2016). "Itchyworms' 'Di Na Muli' bags PhilPop 2016 grand prize". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved December 14, 2017.
  3. "Ben&Ben Successfully Launched Their Self-Titled EP". Indie Manila. January 1, 2017. Archived from the original on June 17, 2017. Retrieved June 22, 2017.
  4. Policarpio, Allan. "The story behind 'Goyo's' theme song 'Susi'". Retrieved 2018-09-25.
  5. "The story behind "Maybe The Night" will give you 'Exes Baggage' feels all over again". Inquirer. 4 October 2018. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
  6. "Beautiful Girl by Ben&Ben". Spotify. Retrieved 2019-09-18.
  7. "Coke Studio Homecoming lineup revealed: IV of Spades, QUEST, Ben&Ben, Juan Miguel Severo, and more". Coke Studio Homecoming lineup revealed: IV of Spades, QUEST, Ben&Ben, Juan Miguel Severo, and more | Editorial | Bandwagon – Live music, bands and concert guide for Singapore, Manila and Jakarta. 2018-09-03. Retrieved 2018-09-25.
  8. "Beautiful Girl by Ben&Ben". Spotify. Retrieved 2019-09-18.
  9. Baby A., Gil (2020-02-05). "Ben&Ben, Tala and Catriona hit songs". The Philippine Star. Retrieved March 2, 2020.
  10. "Ely Buendia, December Avenue, IV of Spades, Ben&Ben, and more to perform at Toyota Music Fest". Bandwagon Asia. 2 July 2018. Retrieved 25 September 2019.
  11. "Ben&Ben to release new debut album 'Limasawa Street'". CNN Philippines. 7 May 2019. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
  12. "Ben&Ben want to be your beacon of hope". CNN Philippines. 14 May 2019. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
  13. "Ben&Ben's debut album 'Limasawa Street' with 13 songs comes to life after 3 months". Conan Daily. 10 May 2019. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
  14. "From music to movies, there's just no stopping Ben&Ben". The Philippine Star. 24 August 2019. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
  15. "Ben&Ben Is Starring in a New Movie This September". Spot PH. 29 March 2019. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
  16. "Ben&Ben to star in an upcoming movie!". One Music PH. 4 April 2019. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
  17. "Ben&Ben is the star of this new film featuring Gabbi Garcia and Khalil Ramos". When In Manila. 5 April 2019. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
  18. "The Teaser for Ben&Ben's LSS Is Finally Here". Spot PH. 11 July 2019. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
  19. "Ben&Ben to play in HK music fest headlined by Mumford & Sons, Halsey". ABS-CBN News. 8 August 2019. Retrieved 25 September 2019.
  20. "Clockenflap 2019 first lineup announced". TimeOut. 8 August 2019. Retrieved 25 September 2019.
  21. "Ben&Ben tapped as #PlanetorPlastic Ambassadors for Asia". GMA News. 15 November 2019. Retrieved 6 March 2019.
  22. "Ben&Ben band named National Geographic Asia ambassador against plastic trash". Inquirer. 15 November 2019. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
  23. "SXSW 2020 Has Been Cancelled Following Coronavirus Fears". 2020-03-06. Retrieved 2020-03-13.
  24. "City of Austin Cancels SXSW March Events". 2020-03-06. Retrieved 2020-03-13.
  25. "Ben&Ben to make US debut at SXSW 2020". Bandwagon Asia. 18 October 2019. Retrieved 18 October 2019.
  26. "Ben&Ben joins 14 Asian artists in new version of 'Forever Beautiful'". Manila Bulletin. 3 March 2020. Retrieved 3 March 2020.
  27. "Eric Chou, Ben&Ben, Benjamin Kheng, and more release 'Forever Beautiful: All for One Version' for the benefit of coronavirus relief efforts – listen". Bandwagon Asia. 3 March 2020. Retrieved 3 March 2020.
  28. "'Maybe the night holds a little hope': Ben&Ben inspires with online concert for frontliners". ABS-CBN News. 27 March 2020. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
  29. "Ben&Ben Aims To Raise P5 Million For COVID-19 Relief Efforts". Cosmopolitan PH. 23 March 2020. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
  30. "Paolo Benjamin on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
  31. "Ben&Ben reaches 29th spot at Billboard Social 50 chart". Inquirer. 9 April 2020. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
  32. "LOOK: Ben&Ben makes huge jump in Billboard social 50 chart". ABS-CBN News. 11 April 2020. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
  33. "Ben&Ben beats Cardi B, Doja Cat and more in Global Billboard Chart". GMA News. 10 April 2020. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
  34. "Ben&Ben to launch first international single 'Doors' via YouTube Live this Saturday". GMA News. 13 April 2020. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
  35. "Limasawa Street by Ben&Ben on iTunes". iTunes Store. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
  36. "Limasawa Street". Spotify. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
  37. "The Teaser for Ben&Ben's LSS Is Finally Here". spot.ph. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
  38. "LSS (2019) - Full Cast & Crew". IMDb. Retrieved 3 June 2020.
  39. "FULL LIST: Gloc-9 leads nominees for Awit Awards 2018". ABS-CBN News. 2018-05-28.
  40. "The 4th Wish 107.5 Music Awards: Nominees, New Categories, and More". Wish 107.5. December 12, 2018. Retrieved December 30, 2018.
  41. "4th Wish 107.5 Music Awards: Complete List of Winners". Wish 107.5. 15 January 2019. Retrieved 18 February 2019.
  42. "Here are the Myx Music Awards 2019 nominees!". Myx. April 7, 2019. Retrieved April 7, 2019.
  43. "WINNERS: MOR Pinoy Music Awards 2019". ABS-CBN News. 17 July 2019. Retrieved 4 August 2019.
  44. "FULL LIST: Winners, Eddys Awards 2019". Rappler. 15 July 2019. Retrieved 3 June 2020.
  45. "'Lola Igna' tops Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino 2019 awards". ABS-CBN News. 15 September 2019. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
  46. "'LSS' bagged the most awards during the Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino 2019 ceremony". Inquirer. 16 September 2019. Retrieved 18 September 2019.
  47. "Awit Awards 2019: Full list of nominees". ABS-CBN News. 23 July 2019. Retrieved 18 September 2019.
  48. "FULL LIST: Winners, Awit Awards 2019". Rappler. 11 October 2019. Retrieved 12 October 2019.
  49. "Munimuni, Ben&Ben, IV Of Spades, Clara Benin, and more are nominated at the 5th Wish 107.5 Music Awards". Bandwagon Asia. 16 December 2019. Retrieved 16 December 2019.
  50. "5th Wish 107.5 Music Awards: Complete List of Winners". Wish FM 107.5. 19 January 2020. Retrieved 19 January 2020.
  51. "MYX Awards 2020: Nominees named; virtual show to be held". ABS-CBN News. 21 May 2019. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
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