Sponge Cola is comprised of Yael (vocals), Armo (guitar), Gosh(bass), and Chris (drums). Formed when its members were still in high school, the band quickly established itself and began playing gigs regularly at venues all over Metro Manila. In September of 2003, they celebrated their first independent release with the 5-track EP containing the songs, “Lunes”, “A Tear”, “Saturn”, “Cigarette”, and “Jeepney.” “Lunes” and “Jeepney”, both written in Filipino, were released as singles and proved to be a hit with local audiences. Extensive radio airplay was instrumental in broadening the band’s fan base across the nation.
In the last quarter of 2004, Sponge Cola signed a record distribution deal with Sony Music Philippines for the release of their full-length album, entitled “Palabas” about the band members’ theater backgrounds. The album showcases a definitive voice in unadulterated rock, reminiscent of the 90s alternative but laced with enough sing-along pop sensibility to appeal to a wider audience. It displays a seamless blend of the band members’ varied influences while showcasing a refreshingly unique sound. The 14 original tracks contain traces of each band member’s musical preference: Gosh grew up on classical Filipino balladeers from the likes of Basil Valdes and Martin Nievera; Armo lends to the rock edge, citing bands like Tool, Deftones, and A Perfect Circle as influences; Chris admits to being influenced by acts like the Beatles, Foo Fighters and Gin Blossoms; and Yael listens to everything from pop to 80s power ballads up to the new metal phenomenon of the late 90s.
Following the release of their album, Sponge Cola found even greater success, as evidenced by several noteworthy accomplishments. They won the “Rising Sun Award” at the NU107 Rock Awards for successfully crossing over from the radio station’s core audience to the wider pop audience. MTV dubbed the band their “Rising Star” for December 2004, and the first single off the album, “KLSP”, was well-received by both radio and television audiences. The video for the single, which was released in early 2005, hit 1 on multiple MYX charts and stayed on the charts for several weeks. In late February, “Palabas” became the first rock album ever released through a full distribution deal to hit gold in the Philippines.
After the success of “KLSP,” the band decided to take a much-needed break to concentrate on their studies, as they were about to go into their senior year at Ateneo de Manila University. However, they continued to be a visible presence on the gig circuit, playing venues in Metro Manila as well as in the provinces, such as Naga, Iloilo, and Palawan.
With the release of their second single, Sponge Cola continued to rise in the music industry. “Gemini” was released simultaneously on radio stations and hit the 1 spot on 99.5 RT in just a day, a first for the station. A few days later, the song reached the top spot on 97.1 LSFM as well.
Sponge Cola found another hit single in “Una.” Released in early November, the song was well received by the band’s fans and enjoyed extensive airplay on major radio stations. The video for the song, directed by Wincy Ong, reached number 1 on the MYX charts. Another recent triumph for the band was lead singer Yael’s award for Best Male Rock Icon at the 2005 NU107 Rock Awards. In addition to this, Sponge Cola’s rendition of the Eraserheads classic, “Pare Ko,” is featured on the tribute album celebrating one of OPM’s most influential acts. To cap off their successful year, Sponge Cola also had the honor of holding the No.1 spot on 99.5RT’s year-end countdown. Another radio station, RX93.1, chose Sponge Cola as their Indie Artist of the Year, proving that the band’s accomplishments in 2005 did not go unrecognized.
As musicians who are not only working but were also pursuing their college degrees for some time, the members of Sponge Cola have inadvertently become role models for their younger fans. They have broken out of the mold of a traditional rock band by advocating clean living, hard work, and diligence. Bassist Gosh was an academic scholar, and, along with the other members, graduated with flying colors in March of 2006.
Just a few months after their graduation, they started recording songs for their sophomore album. After months of additional songwriting and recording, “Transit,” was ready to be released. By the first week of September 2006, the album was out in all the major record bars nationwide.
Transit proved to be a fitting title for the band’s second album because not only did it capture the feel of the songs, but it also encapsulated the members' growth as individuals and musicians. With the young band members finally graduating from college and releasing their pivotal second album, the band suddenly had to adjust to a fairly new predicament. Transit captures the period of adjustment that the band members went through as it is in fact "the next step," a statement that implies transition, not stagnation.
Musically, the band has also matured over the years. With the two-year gap between their albums, there was a big leap in terms of musical direction, but at the same time, they maintained the essence that took them to the dance—soaring vocals underscored by intense guitars and relentless rhythmic pounding. The added dimension of well-placed ambient layers of guitar and riff-based songwriting created a more diverse album. There was a different approach for each song, strengthening the identity of each track.
“Bitiw,” their carrier single from Transit, has claimed the top spot of various radio stations all across the country. It was their fifth consecutive music video to skyrocket to the 1 position in the MYX hit chart and stayed there for a prolonged time, due to the acceptance of the Filipino people of their brand of music.
Other highlights in the album include the six-minute epic “The Wandering” which pays tribute to the well-known TV series Lost; “Movie,” the band's current single which immortalizes the feeling of people in the “friends zone”; “Do You Know The Feeling,” an 80s inspired stadium rock song; “Nocturne,” a poignant piece that tackles insomnia and remembering of a past love.
For more info:
https://www.facebook.com/spongecola
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https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFiniMD_UVBOyUf4r2JQ0Wg
https://twitter.com/SpongeColaPH
Araw Oras Tagpuan
Sponge Cola Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hindi namalayan
Ang layo na ng kahapon
Taon na nga ba o buwan
Bigat ng bawat araw
Dahan-dahang nawala
Gaan ng bawat bukas
Mahirap magtiwala
Tapos ng lahat
Ng pinagdaanan natin
Sa piling ng iba
Di makapaniwala
Na pwede pa palang
Magkahanapan
Mga pusong sugatan
Imposible nga raw
Minsan lang nagtugma
Buwan bituin at araw
Tila ipininta
Ang ating tadhana
Para bang tinakda
Araw oras tagpuan
Alam na nating dalwa
Mahirap magtiwala
Tapos ng lahat
Ng pinagdaanan natin
Sa piling ng iba
Di makapaniwala (di makapaniwala)
Na pwede pa palang
Magkahanapan
Mga pusong sugatan
Woah
Mahirap magtiwala
Tapos ng lahat
Ng pinagdaanan natin
Sa piling ng iba
Di makapaniwala
Ang swerte ko pala
Ng magkahanapan
Mga pusong sugatan
Mga pusong sugatan
Mga pusong sugatan
The lyrics of Sponge Cola's song "Araw Oras Tagpuan" describe the passage of time and the distance that has been created between two people. At the beginning of the song, it is implied that a significant amount of time has passed without the realization of how far apart they have become. The lyrics question whether it has been years or months since they were close.
The weight of each day slowly diminishes, making way for a lighter future that is eagerly awaited. However, it is difficult to trust again, especially after everything they have been through together. The pain caused by the presence of someone else in their lives is hard to believe, and yet they discover that they are still able to find each other, despite the seeming impossibility of it. The song portrays their destiny as if it was written in the stars, with the moon, stars, and sun aligning perfectly to paint a picture of their fated meeting place.
The lyrics emphasize the difficulty of trusting again after going through so much, but in the end, they realize how lucky they are to have found each other despite the wounds in their hearts.
Line by Line Meaning
Oras na lumipas
Time has passed
Hindi namalayan
Unnoticed
Ang layo na ng kahapon
Yesterday is now far away
Taon na nga ba o buwan
Is it already years or months?
Bigat ng bawat araw
The weight of each day
Dahan-dahang nawala
Slowly disappeared
Gaan ng bawat bukas
Lightness of every tomorrow
Kinasasabikan
Longed for
Mahirap magtiwala
Hard to trust
Tapos ng lahat
After everything
Ng pinagdaanan natin
That we went through
Sa piling ng iba
In the presence of others
Di makapaniwala
Can't believe
Na pwede pa palang
That it's still possible
Magkahanapan
To find each other
Mga pusong sugatan
Wounded hearts
Imposible nga raw
They say it's impossible
Minsan lang nagtugma
Rarely did it align
Buwan bituin at araw
Moon, stars, and sun
Tila ipininta
Like they were painted
Ang ating tadhana
Our destiny
Para bang tinakda
As if predetermined
Araw oras tagpuan
Day, hour, meeting place
Alam na nating dalwa
We both know
Ang swerte ko pala
I'm actually lucky
Mga pusong sugatan
Wounded hearts
Mga pusong sugatan
Wounded hearts
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
GMae Fabregas
Sponge Cola never fails to sing songs I can relate to my life! I miss you guys!!! <3
xooEmptii
idol ko talaga si yael at ang spongecola . another meaningful song na naman ang ni`release . another good job for this song . 2thumbsup ! :)
LadieYaeL
some people just don't appreciate their work and effort. but I do appreciate them. we cannot please everybody. I LOVE SPONGECOLA. (obviously!) :D
gubgib sumontip
ganda ng song :) the best tlga kayo spongecola :))
Eliza Therese Galupo
Mahirap magtiwala pagkatapos ng lahat ng pinagdaanan natin sa piling ng iba. Di makapaniwala na pwede pa palang magkahanapan mga pusong sugatan. ♥️
jecjesjesse
i feel like the videos are candid moments that were shot not knowing that it will be on a music video then put together. galing!
Jane Gloria
I just wanna say that ... I love you. U guys are such nice people. You're funny, witty, and so talented. It's not a compliment, btw.
geneva eduardo
"Gaan ng bawat bukas kinasasabikan" Thumbs Up for Team Sponge Cola! :))
Rhea Jane Germia
the 'obscure song'. :) and yet, the most heart-melting.
Chiara Minano
Iba talaga 'pag Spongecola. Walang katulad :)