Ben&Ben


Ben&Ben 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".

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 were best known for writing the single "Tinatangi", which won 2nd runner up and Best Music Video at the PhilPop Music Festival in 2016. 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.

2018–present: Breakthrough

The band released new singles and collaborations throughout 2018, including the song "Susi" for the movie and "Maybe the Night" for the movie Exes Baggage.
They composed a song, "Balik-Balikan" for the music program Coke Studio Homecoming together with Sam Concepcion.
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. They were tapped for the opening theme of the 2020 television drama series Make It With You.

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.

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”.
“Limasawa Street” is derived from the Butuanon word "Masawa" meaning light and is also the name of a street.

First film

Ben&Ben were one of the starrings of the 2019 Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino film, LSS alongside Gabbi Garcia and Khalil Ramos. 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."

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.

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.

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, the result of an order by the city of Austin.

''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.

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.
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. 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.

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

Band members

Current members

Studio albums
EPs

Films

Accolades