“Mga pagsubok lamang iyan. Huwag mong itigil ang laban. Huwag mong isuko. At iyong labanan.”

These are some lyrics from the mega hit song "Pagsubok" (1994), which has become an integral part of Filipino pop culture that people continue to listen to. 

Kapamilya actor Daniel Padilla released his own version of the song in 2012, and it was used as the official soundtrack for his 2018 film "The Hows Of Us" starring Kathryn Bernardo.

While Padilla and other musicians created a different arrangement of the said hit song, the original version by the Orient Pearl band remains iconic and sentimental.

The band behind iconic song “Pagsubok” meets the press to announce upcoming projects with new vocalist on Thursday in Pasig City. Photo by Josh Mercado

The renowned band, now managed by Jaworski Garcia of BLKSHPMNL, is relaunching with new frontman Ney Dimaculangan, former 6cyclemind vocalist. 

“Since ang nagma-manage [now] kay Ney is ako, they approached me na i-manage ko na rin ang buong band," Garcia told the entertainment press on Thursday at 12 Monkeys in Pasig City. 

"‘Yung song na ‘Pagsubok,’ theme song ko sa buhay ‘yan. Sila ‘yung second band na na-book ko when I was like in college. ‘Yun kasi ang trabaho ko before. Very meaningful sa akin ang banda. Dream come true for me, handling the band I idolize. Si Ney is a perfect fit,” the manager said.

With this major plot twist in the music scene, Ney leaving 6cyclemind and now joining Orient Pearl, how does he feel and how does he react to some haters? 

The vocalist from Pangasinan said, “Sobrang bilis ng pangyayari. Nagpa-audition sila online. Sabi ko, sige nga. Nakapambahay pa ako nun. Nag-video ako. Sinend ko. May tumawag na parang ini-invite na ako na makipagkita. Ganoon ang nangyari. Galing pa ako ng Pangasinan. Eventually nag-usap-usap kami. Nakapag-jam naman kami and wala naman silang reklamo. They decided na ito na ‘yung start.”

Explaning his departure from 6cyclemind, he said, "Nandiyan pa ang 6cyclemind. To put it simple, it was the only choice given to me. Doon nagsimula. It was the [previous] management who gave me that option [to leave] and told me to create a new band."

"After that 5 years sa new band, kailangan ko na ring umalis sa management. Parang ang hirap sagutin na kailangan mo pang magsalita. Baka i-judge ka pa ng mga tao. Para sa akin, it’s an old thing na, so, ang mahalaga is we respect each other,” he added.

REBIRTH

During the press conference, the band's manager said this phase in the band's journey was a rebirth that would add new flavors while remaining true to the brand that fans loved.

For Leo Awatin, founder and lead guitarist, he sees this as a way to empower and uplift listeners with again their music.

“Bumalik kami kasi gusto naming mag-share ng music sa masa. Gusto naming ma-uplift at ma-empower sila. Kung talagang passion mo, magagawa mo siya. [Sabi nila], 20 years daw nawala pero nagkikita kami. Tumutugtog din kami pero hindi lang active. May messages sa amin na dahil sa song na ‘Pagsubok’ ay maraming na-inspire. Natutuwa kami roon. Hindi namin alam na pinapakinggan pa kami. May obligasyon kami sa masa. Hindi pa naman huli ang lahat,” he said.

“May pangarap kami. Hindi lang basta sumikat, basta makilala, gusto naming magbigay ng message, at makapagbigay ng legacy. Gusto naming maipamana ang mga kanta namin sa next generation. Tuwang-tuwa kami at ito ‘yung time para magpasalamat kami sa mga taong nakikinig. Hanggang ngayon, pinapakinggan nila, kahit saang bar, mula bata hanggang matanda. Buhay pa kami. Andito pa kami. Gagawa pa kami ng kanta para sa nakikinig. There’s no stopping us. Malaki ang utang na loob namin sa mga taong nakikinig sa amin,“ he told ABS-CBN News. 

Budz Beraquit (keyboardist), Leo Awatin (founder and lead guitarist), Ryan Gomez (bassist), Third Caez (drummer), and Ney Dimaculungan (lead vocalist) performed a reimagined version of their iconic hit song "Pagsubok" at the press conference.

On Sunday, their debut single "Hari" from their reborn era will be available on digital music platforms.

“Nostalgic. It’s been a part of my musical journey. Bata pa ako, nandiyan na sila. I really don’t know kung ano ang ine-expect nila at mabibigyan ba ng justice. Ang sa akin, give me time na angkinin ko muna ‘yung kanta. Kapag inangkin mo na ‘yung kanta, lalabas sa puso mo ‘yun. Sabi ko nga sa bashers, give us chance,” the lead vocalist said. 

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