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
https://www.instagram.com/sponge_cola/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFiniMD_UVBOyUf4r2JQ0Wg
https://twitter.com/SpongeColaPH
Nakapagtataka
Sponge Cola Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Mula nang tayo'y nagpasyang maghiwalaway
Nagpaalam pagkat 'di tayo bagay
Nakapagtataka
Kung bakit ganito ang aking kapalaran
'di ba ilang ulit ka nang nagpaalam
Bawat paalam ay puno ng iyakan
Nakapagtataka
Hindi ka ba napapagod o 'di kaya'y nagsasawa
Sa ating mga tampuhan
Walang hanggang katapusan
Napahid nang mga luha damdamin at puso'y tigang
Wala nang maibubuga
Wala na 'kong maramdaman
Walang tigil ang ulan at nasaan ka araw
Napano nang pagi-big sa isa't isa
Wala na bang nananatiling pag-asa
Nakapagtataka
(saan na napunta)
Hindi ka ba napapagod o 'di kaya'y nagasasawa
Sa ating nmga tampuhan
Walang hanggang katapusan
Napahid nang mga luha
Damadamin at puso'y tigang
Wala nang maibubuga
Wala na kong maramdaman
Napahid nang mga luha
Damdamin at puso'y tigang
Wala nang maibubuga
Wala na 'kong maramdaman
Kung tunay tayong ngamamahalan
Ba't di tayo magkasunduan
The song Nakapagtataka by Sponge Cola tells a story of the chaos and confusion in the mind of the singer because of a failed relationship. The lyrics describe the persistent disturbance that he experiences after he and his partner decided to break up because they were not meant to be together. The singer questions the repetitiveness of the situation, given that his partner had left him multiple times in the past. Each time she decided to cut ties, she left him crying and feeling helpless.
The verses also suggest that the singer is losing hope and is beginning to feel numb because of the constant emotional roller coaster they both ride. He wonders if his partner is also tired and disinterested in going through the same old arguments and fights that have pushed them apart.
Overall, the song speaks to the universal pain and confusion that people feel after a failed relationship, and how it can leave a person helpless and wondering if it's worth it to try again.
Line by Line Meaning
Walang tigil ang gulo sa aking pag-iisip
My mind is in constant chaos and confusion
Mula nang tayo'y nagpasyang maghiwalay
Since we decided to separate
Nagpaalam pagkat 'di tayo bagay
You bid goodbye because we are not meant for each other
Nakapagtataka
It's baffling
Kung bakit ganito ang aking kapalaran
I wonder why fate is like this
'di ba ilang ulit ka nang nagpaalam
Haven't you said goodbye several times already?
Bawat paalam ay puno ng iyakan
Every parting is filled with tears
Hindi ka ba napapagod o 'di kaya'y nagsasawa
Aren't you tired or perhaps already weary
Sa ating mga tampuhan
With our misunderstandings
Walang hanggang katapusan
Endless and without limit
Napahid nang mga luha damdamin at puso'y tigang
My tears have dried but my emotions and heart are empty
Wala nang maibubuga
There's nothing left to give
Wala na 'kong maramdaman
I don't feel anything anymore
Walang tigil ang ulan at nasaan ka araw
The rain doesn't stop and where are you, my love?
Napano nang pagi-big sa isa't isa
What happened to our love for each other?
Wala na bang nananatiling pag-asa
Is there no hope left?
Saan na napunta
Where did it go?
Kung tunay tayong ngamamahalan
If we truly love each other
Ba't di tayo magkasunduan
Why can't we come to an agreement?
Contributed by Jacob I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@user-qi4rz2mm4d
Walang tigil ang gulo sa aking pag-iisip
Mula nang tayo'y nagpasiyang maghiwalay
Nagpaalam 'pagkat hindi tayo bagay
Nakapagtataka
Kung bakit ganito ang aking kapalaran
'Di ba ilang ulit ka nang nagpaalam?
Bawat paalam ay puno ng iyakan
Nakapagtataka (nakapagtataka)
Hindi ka ba napapagod
O 'di kaya'y nagsasawa
Sa ating mga tampuhan
Walang-hanggang katapusan?
Napahid na'ng mga luha
Damdamin at puso'y tigang
Wala nang maibubuga
Wala na 'kong maramdaman
Walang tigil ang ulan at nasaan ka, araw?
Napa'no na'ng pag-ibig sa isa't isa?
Wala na bang nananatiling pag-asa?
Nakapagtataka (saan na napunta?)
Hindi ka ba napapagod
O 'di kaya'y nagsasawa
Sa ating mga tampuhan
Walang hanggang katapusan?
Napahid na'ng mga luha
Damdamin at puso'y tigang
Wala nang maibubuga
Wala na 'kong maramdaman
Napahid na'ng mga luha
Damdamin at puso'y tigang
Wala nang maibubuga
Wala na 'kong maramdaman
Kung tunay tayong nagmamahalan
Ba't 'di tayo magkasunduan?
Oh-whoa, whoa-oh
@kahrenjeangatinga5598
"Kung tunay tayong nagmamahalan, ba't 'di tayo magkasunduan"
@joshuaaniban497
Tara dto bati na tayo be HAHA
@Avenged_07
Halika dito at mamahalin kita 😁🤦
@johncedrick3212
So deep.......
@christinemaebenitez8007
He used to tell me those words na ako lang nakapagpasaya sa kanya pero one day nadiskobre ko may syota sya. Kaya pala palagi kaming nag aaway kahit walang label. Napagod na rin ako. I let him goo
@user-lo8ew8sy7m
Nakapagtataka kahit di tayo bagay mahal natin ang isat isa
@ramone8789
lumabo at tuluyan ng naglaho ang nararamdam sa bawat isa..
@jahnypv9183
Yung ako yung hiniwalayan. Pero ako pa yung nagmukhang nagloko. Next! 🤣🤣
@welovephilippineswithmylov5419
tskkkk tskkkk hayaan mo na yan ganyan na talaga mha babae sa panahon Ngayon.. Humanap ka Nalang Ng Panget at ibigin mong tunay 😁
@welovephilippineswithmylov5419
tskkkk tskkkk tskkkk