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
Pare Ko
Sponge Cola Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Meron akong problema
Wag mong sabihing na naman
In love ako
Sa isang kolehiyala
Hindi ko maintindihan
Sa ma-boteng usapan
Lalo lang madaragdagan ang sakit ng ulo at bilbil sa tiyan
Anong sarap
Kami'y naging magkaibigan
Napuno ako ng pag-asa
Yun pala
Hanggang don lang ang kaya
Akala ko ay pwede pa
Masakit man isipin
Kailangang tanggapin
Kung kelan ka naging seryoso
Saka ka niya gagaguhin
O Diyos ko
Ano ba naman ito
Diba tangina
Nagmukha akong tanga
Pinaasa niya lang ako
Letseng pag-ibig to oh
Diyos ko
Ano ba naman ito oh
Sabi niya
Ayaw niya munang magkasiyota
Dehins ako naniwala
Di nagtagal
Naging ganun na rin ang tema
Kulang na lang ay sagot niya
Ba't ba ang labo niya
Di ko maipinta
Hanggang kailan maghihintay
Ako ay nabuburat na
Pero
Minamahal ko siya
Di biro
TL ako sa kanya
Alam kong nababaduyan ka na
Sa mga sinasabi ko
Pero sana naman ay maintindihan mo
O pare ko (o pare ko)
Meron ka bang maipapayo
Kung wala ay okay lang (kung wala ay okay lang)
Kailangan lang (kailangan lang)
Ang iyong pakikiramay
Nandito ka ay ayos na (nandito ka ay ayos na)
Masakit mang isipin
Kailangang tanggapin
Kung kelan ka naging seryoso
Saka ka niya gagaguhin
O Diyos ko
Ano ba naman ito
Di ba tangina
Nagmukha akong tanga
Pinaasa niya lang ako
Letseng pag-ibig to oh
Diyos ko
Ano ba naman ito
Di ba tangina
Nagmukha akong tanga
Pinaasa niya lang ako
Letseng pag-ibig to oh
Diyos ko
Ano ba naman ito oh
The song "Pare Ko" by Sponge Cola is an anthem for those who have been played by someone who they thought had genuine feelings for them. It tells the story of someone who fell in love with a college girl, but their relationship was one-sided, and he was just being played. The song is written in the perspective of someone talking to their friend (Pare Ko) about their love life. It seems like he has fallen hard for this girl, and he's unsure if he should continue waiting or move on.
The first verse talks about the primary problem he has, which is loving a college girl who he doesn't understand. He tells his friend not to speak of this problem because it adds to his headache and stomachache. In the second section, the singer tells us how meeting this girl filled him with hope. He developed feelings for her but later realized that she was treating him like a joke. The chorus expresses his feelings of being played, how it made him feel stupid, and how bogus love can be.
The last verse talks about how he still loved her, even though he had been strung along. He pleads for his friend's understanding and advice, hoping to find a way out of the pain. The song's overall theme is of someone who is struggling to come to terms with the fact that the person they love doesn't feel the same way about them.
Line by Line Meaning
O pare ko
Addressing a friend with a problem
Meron akong problema
I have a problem that bothers me
Wag mong sabihing na naman
Don't say it again as it does not help
In love ako
I am in love
Sa isang kolehiyala
With a college student
Hindi ko maintindihan
I cannot understand why
Wag na nating idaan
Let's not make it a shallow topic
Sa ma-boteng usapan
In a meaningless conversation
Lalo lang madaragdagan ang sakit ng ulo at bilbil sa tiyan
It will only add to the headache and stomach ache
Anong sarap
How good it was
Kami'y naging magkaibigan
We became friends
Napuno ako ng pag-asa
I was filled with hope
Yun pala
It turns out
Hanggang don lang ang kaya
That's all she can offer
Akala ko ay pwede pa
I thought it could work out
Masakit man isipin
Though it hurts to think
Kailangang tanggapin
I need to accept it
Kung kelan ka naging seryoso
When you started to take it seriously
Saka ka niya gagaguhin
Then she'll play you
O Diyos ko
Oh my God
Ano ba naman ito
What is this
Diba tangina
Isn't this f****d up
Nagmukha akong tanga
I look like a fool
Pinaasa niya lang ako
She just gave me false hope
Letseng pag-ibig to oh
This love is cursed
Sabi niya
She said
Ayaw niya munang magkasiyota
She doesn't want to be in a relationship yet
Dehins ako naniwala
I didn't believe it
Di nagtagal
It didn't take long
Naging ganun na rin ang tema
The theme became like that
Kulang na lang ay sagot niya
Only her answer was missing
Ba't ba ang labo niya
Why is she so confusing
Di ko maipinta
I cannot explain it
Hanggang kailan maghihintay
Until when shall I wait
Ako ay nabuburat na
I'm getting impatient
Pero
But
Minamahal ko siya
I love her
Di biro
It's not an easy thing
TL ako sa kanya
I'm under her spell
Alam kong nababaduyan ka na
I know you find it lame
Sa mga sinasabi ko
With what I'm saying
Pero sana naman ay maintindihan mo
But I hope you understand
Nandito ka ay ayos na
As long as you're here, everything's alright
Kailangan lang
I just need
Ang iyong pakikiramay
Your sympathy
Meron ka bang maipapayo
Do you have any advice
Kung wala ay okay lang
If not, it's okay
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
kazu
Sarap pakinggan tong kanta na to.
annharvey line
One of the best song sa panahon naming mga batang 90's
TupacSyndicateRappa
From the Album of Eraserheads UltraMagnetic Jam Revived and from the album UltraMagnetic Pop performed by Spongecola. DA BEST TALAGA ANG MGA BANDABG ITO MAY DATING.
Don Pepot
Sarap balik balikan ang mga magagandang awit at alaala..
Yasho Hashikoto
1990's was the best teen years of my life. No gadgets, di maxado uso cp, walang salitang selfie, walang one direction at justin bieber, kasikatan ng gameboy, sega, nintendo, tambay sa billiaran, bowling at arcade, usong uso ang baggy pants at hippie fashion, beeper ang pinaka sikat gadget and etc...
Tlagang the best! Proud i was born in 1985. Haha! This revival is the best.
Ice
Magskie Albarico tama ka pre
Max Cooper
The best para sayo. Tsss
John Rey Balasan
ganda ng tunog ng drums always ko tong pinapakingan :)
Julious Garces
I love this song.. :)
ariel bernardino
Sadyang malupit lang ang pag-ibig. Pero wala namang taong hindi nasasaktan. Sabi nga nila "Mas maganda na magmahal at masaktan kaysa hindi matutong magmahal". masakit man isipin pero kailangan tanggapin </3