Cheyenne Suarez

The Dawn on keeping Pinoy rock alive: ‘It’s not all fun and games’

Article (news)

Josh Mercado

<p>MANILA -- While there is a massive P-pop rise movement in the Philippines, supported by millions of followers, Pinoy rock is far from dead, with concerts by rock icons taking place on a regular basis, as Filipinos still listen to their music at home, on the road, and online.</p><p>One of the names synonymous with Pinoy rock is The Dawn, the legendary band behind the hit songs &quot;Salamat,&quot; &quot;Iisang Bangka Tayo,&quot; &quot;Talaga Naman,&quot; &quot;Enveloped Ideas,&quot; &quot;Abot Kamay,&quot; &quot;Salimpusa,&quot; and many more.</p><p>From rocking the nation to laying the groundwork for the next generation, The Dawn, composed of Jett Pangan, JB Leonor, Francis Reyes, Sancho Sanchez, and Bim Yance, will celebrate their 40th anniversary in the music industry with the concert &quot;Almost 40,&quot; produced by Ticket1 and Jonathan Wee.</p><p>“It feels long but it’s also very fulfilling. If I may say so, hindi ganoon kadaling magbanda especially in the Philippines. There are so many challenges. For us to last this long and to be blessed with a concert still after almost 40 years parang each day is a blessing,” Pangan told ABS-CBN News. </p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1738120709672image0 (2).jpeg" class="fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px" alt="The Dawn members JB Leonor, Francis Reyes, Jett Pangan, Bim Yance, and Sancho Sanchez promote their upcoming concert “Almost 40,” produced by Ticket1. Photo by Josh Mercado"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">The Dawn members JB Leonor, Francis Reyes, Jett Pangan, Bim Yance, and Sancho Sanchez promote their upcoming concert “Almost 40,” produced by Ticket1. <em>Photo by Josh Mercado</em></span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><p>Some bands have disbanded, yet The Dawn continues to inspire supporters with music and a sense of true brotherhood. Is there a formula for having a career that lasts four decades and continues to create?</p><p>“Through the years of having different directions in the music is always a case of choosing the member who has the most open mind when it comes to music. The Dawn tends to explore, e. We try to put all genres together to come up with music or songs. The roster you see now basically falls into the category of musicians that are open to a lot of sounds and genres that’s why we’re here,” Pangan said.</p><p>He went on to say that being open is the key to longevity, adding, “Madaling sabihin na rock band lang kami but if you listen to more of our songs you could see that there’s a very diverse influence, and kung may formula man, ‘yun ‘yun, e. Whenever we invite a member to join the band or kapag may tumagal na miyembro rin sa band that means that openness stays. We really need to explore other kinds of music which makes it very exciting.”</p><p>The band also acknowledged that they are inspired by new songs as well. They would cover songs, which is a true reflection of a selfless artist.</p><p>“As a group, we think of the whole audiences and we like also what we hear dun sa mga baguhan na nai-influence rin kami. We like our setlist to be varied din. Kung halimbawa tutugtog kami sa isang fiesta, ano kaya ang mga magugustuhan ng mga tao aside from our songs. May covers din kami,” Pangan confessed. </p><p>While preparing for their upcoming concert at the Music Museum on February 22, Pangan reflected on the legacy and the hit song &quot;Salamat.&quot;</p><p>“To be almost 40 is a badge of honor. To last this long is something I would probably wear on my sleeve. It’s not all fun and games to be a rock band in the Philippines. Why we’re still here? I guess there’s something divine happening. Puwede pa pala. We can add a few more miles. The older you become the more you appreciate each day that you’re actually here. It’s something we don’t take for granted,” he said. </p><p>He continued, “The song has a life of its own. ‘Salamat’ is very celebratory song. Bilang Pilipino, we like to say thank you to a lot of things. It applies to everyone. The high I get from singing that song has never changed. We’ve been playing it for like forever. It’s a song for the Filipino.”</p><p>Other band members, Leonor, Reyes, Sanchez, and Yance, feel themselves privileged to be a part of an iconic band that they see as family and legacy.</p><p>&quot;Almost 40&quot; will also feature other artists such as Ebe Dancel, Quest, Rayver Cruz, and Aila Santos. Tickets are available through TicketWorld and Ticket1.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/music/2025/1/14/the-dawn-gears-up-for-special-concert-almost-40-1103" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Dawn gears up for special concert &#x27;Almost 40&#x27;</a></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/music/2024/11/28/the-dawn-finally-has-a-christmas-song-maki-pasko-0758" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Dawn finally has a Christmas song &#x27;Maki-Pasko&#x27;</a></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/03/20/21/behind-the-music-enveloped-ideas-by-the-dawn" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Behind the Music: &#x27;Enveloped Ideas&#x27; by The Dawn</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEOS:</strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4ihrKOFLj-U?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/z3P6DzIA6TE?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>The Dawn on keeping Pinoy rock alive: ‘It’s not all fun and games’ </p>