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The Red Strings officially signs on as ABS-CBN Music

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Stephanie Rose Manhit

Push Team

<div>From the YouTube docu-reality series The Next Big Band comes ABS-CBN Music’s first-ever original OPM band, The Red Strings. </div>Last March 5, 2026 marked a major milestone for the group as they were officially launched as a contract artist under DNA Music, the alternative rock label under ABS-CBN. The contract signing held at District One Gastrolounge in Bonifacio Global City was hosted by Aiyana Perlas and was well-attended by the group’s family and friends, as well as members of the media.Also present at the signing were ABS-CBN Music head Roxy Liquigan, DNA Music head Gab Tagadtad, and ABS-CBN Music head of creatives, content, and operations Jonathan Manalo. ABS-CBN Digital head Jamie Lopez also came in support of The Red Strings launch. “It has always been the mission of the company to discover new artists: train them, develop them, and help them reach their fullest potential. The Next Big Band is a shared dream namin ng ABS-CBN Digital. Dream talaga namin na makapag-launch ng band this year. ‘Yung show na ‘yun is done with the best of intentions and all in good faith, hindi namin alam ang mangyayari,” said Jonathan. The hope in finding worthy talents was not misplaced, as the show did manage to bring together the right people to make the label’s vision a reality. “Hindi namin alam na sila ang magbubuo ng banda. Sobra kaming na-proud because they’re just perfect for the band, for the vision. Noong nabubuo sila, naririnig namin ‘yung raw talent of these kids. Sobra pa rin kaming na-excite hearing them write their own songs na alam naming may potential to be future hits. When you hear it, you just know it. Noong narinig namin, very promising ang mga songs. And I know, malayo pa ang mararating nila.”Given that they were formed within the docu-reality show, the name &quot;The Red Strings” proves to be quite apt for the group’s beginnings. It stems from the Red String Theory, or the belief that there is an invisible cord that connects people who are destined to be part of each other’s lives. This idea proposes that people who are fated to meet will do so, no matter the circumstances. The Red Strings band — comprised of Gello Marquez (vocalist), Cedryck Guda (drums), Llana Catudio (keyboard), Nicholas De Rosales (bass guitar), Mychole Liam Barba (electric guitar), and Risen Santos (acoustic guitar) — came together under circumstances that was different from that of other bands. Their bond was not formed through years of friendship or familial relationships. In fact, they started out as strangers, coming from diverse experiences and backgrounds.“Passion for music,” said Gab, identifying the common denominator that ties all six members together. “Lahat sila very excited sa lahat ng activities namin: sa songwriting, sa recording. Nagpupuyat ‘yang mga ‘yan. May time na 7 a.m. na kami natapos, pero game pa rin sila. Next session, gano’n ulit, puyatan,” he recalled. “Kaya naman tumibay din ‘yung chemistry at samahan nila, at ‘yung pagka-glue nila musically, talagang na-develop ‘yun.”They have been working closely and tirelessly together for the past six months. More than creating music, the time together also served as a way for them to bond and work out their dynamic as a group. “Yung mga moments na hindi kami nagtratrabaho, kasi ‘yun ‘yung bonding e,” said Llana of the moments that, looking back at the past half year, mattered most to her. “Kapag hindi ka na nagsusulat, hindi ka na doon sa kanta naka-focus. Ang napaguusapan na namin school, love life, friendship, ‘yung journey namin.”“May mga times na naglalaro kami ng ‘Imposter’. ‘Yun ‘yung mga ginagawa namin ‘pag may free time kami sa recording, sa song writing. ‘Yun ‘yung na-enjoy ko. I think ‘yung bonding nabubuo kapag hindi na kami nagtratrabaho, kapag magkakasama nalang kami,” she added. “Actually, madalas kami magtusok-tusok sa labas. Tapos minsan naglalaro kami ng tagu-taguan. Tataguan namin si Ced, gugulatin namin siya,” shared Gello, as he echoed the value of just hanging out and getting to know each other outside the work they do. Gello, who has been a familiar face in the industry for quite a while now, also weighed in on what makes them work well together. “Personally, noong sinabi na magkakaroon ng band, na magiging vocalist ako ng isang banda, tinatak ko po sa utak ko na I don’t want them to feel na ako lang ang masusunod dito. I always ask their thoughts sa mga bagay-bagay, para lahat kami naririnig. Mas maganda kasi na bawat isa napapakinggan para magtagal ang samahan namin,” he explained to PUSH ABS-CBN, adding that making sure that everyone had an equal say in the band was a conscious move on his part. “Hindi naman mawawala na may pagtatalo; it happens. Pero we make sure na lahat kami mapapakinggan, lahat kami magpe-perform,” he maintained. The Red Strings took the stage to give the crowd a sneak peek of the kind of music they can offer the industry. Their set list included some feel-good covers such as Harry Styles’s “As It Was”, Inigo Pascual’s “Dahil Sa’Yo”, and Rivermaya’s “Hinahanap-hanap Kita”. They also took the opportunity to perform their original compositions: “Kupido”, their first single; “Asado”, which they originally wrote during the docu-series; and “Nasa Ulap”, which was a treat for everyone since it was the first time they ever performed it in front of an audience. Even as early as now, hitmaker Jonathan Manalo believes that The Red Strings will be a force to be reckoned with. “Watch out for more original songs entirely written by the band, played by this band, conceptualized by this band. And I know these kids will be the voice of their generation.” Relive the beginnings of The Red Strings by watching their journey on the docu-reality series The Next Big Band. All episodes of the show are now available on the ABS-CBN Entertainment YouTube channel.

Gello Marquez, Cedryck Guda, Llana Catudio, Nicholas De Rosales, Mychole Liam Barba, and Risen Santos form The Red Strings, a six-piece alternative rock band born from the YouTube docu-reality series ‘The Next Big Band’.

Gello Marquez, Cedryck Guda, Llana Catudio, Nicholas De Rosales, Mychole Liam Barba, and Risen Santos form The Red Strings, a six-piece alternative rock band born from the YouTube docu-reality series ‘The Next Big Band’.

The Red Strings officially signs on as ABS-CBN Music’s first-ever original OPM band

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The Red Strings officially signs on as ABS-CBN Music’s first-ever original OPM band

Ann Manhit,

Push Team

Published March 28, 2026 11:09 PM PHT

Read More:

The Next Big Band

The Red Strings

Gello Marquez

Cedryck Guda

Llana Catudio

Nicholas De Rosales

Mychole Liam Barba

Risen Santos

ABS-CBN Music

DNA Music

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