By Cynthia Shank
Stories of passion, grit, and spirit abound in Silliman University’s (SU) vibrant music scene. The sounds that reverberate through the open gates of campus gatherings, the lyrics written in library margins, and the melodies sung on dorm balconies are all examples of it.
Student bands and artists are at the vanguard of this musical revolution, demonstrating that Silliman is more than a campus; it’s a haven for strong music and those who dare to create it.
Indigo Wave: The All-Girl Dream Team
More than just a band, Indigo Wave is a sisterhood of artists united by their love of creating music that uplifts, heals, and grooves.
When bassist Bereka “Beka” Praise Amoroso and rhythm guitarist Margarett “Nick” Nicole Zepeda happened to be playing in the same set during SU’s Psych Night 2022, the group began to take shape.
“We were playing with Ate Carmel when I realized how good Beka was on the guitar […] we started working when she expressed her desire to form an all-girl band,” Nick recalls.
Slowly, the line-up expanded. They met drummer Ranee Taj Duhaylungsod through the Silliman University Producing and Songwriting Artists (SUPASA), vocalist Shifra Jul Reyes during Dormers’ Night 2022, and lead guitarist Karoleene “Kaieen” Mari Quijano in 2023 while she was attending a songwriting workshop. By 2024, the group had grown to include two more gifted musicians: Vanessa Santuyo, a keyboardist, and Zyra Tan, a strong soprano.
Indigo Wave’s seven members resemble a galaxy of stars that happened to cross paths with one another. With the band complete, they finally found its identity.
Their name, which Beka came up with, sums up who they are. “Indigo stands for creativity, and Wave symbolizes the chill, flowing vibe we want our music to have,” she shares. Their music, influenced by OPM artists like Up Dharma Down, Lola Amour, Kitchie Nadal, and SunKissed Lola, is dreamy and emotional—reminiscent of Paramore meets Sunbeam pop.
Their first original song, Soulless, was released with a music video made in partnership with the SU Camera Club (SUCC). Additional songs are in the works, possibly with lyrics in Filipino to strengthen their connection with local listeners.
Despite scheduling conflicts due to being in different colleges, the band perseveres. “We give up time—and sleep—just to rehearse and perform,” adds Nick.
Their Sillimusika performance is still their most memorable. “It was incredible, even if we were anxious,” Beka says. “We were tremendously excited by our community, especially the Purok Gahi musicians’ collective.”
Even though some members will soon graduate, Indigo Wave remains steadfast towards a promising future. Nick shares that even if she is not in Dumaguete anymore, she would still continue supporting the band. “I want the younger members to keep it alive,” she says.
Boylosers: From Dipolog to Dumaguete and Beyond
Boylosers is a four-member raw, unadulterated, and emotionally charged band.
Back in senior high school in Dipolog, the band was originally known as Human Beans and was formed by lead singer and rhythm guitarist Ruth “Ruthi” Hilary Marcojos and drummer Justine Lawrence Lopez. After Ruthi parted away first for college, Justine and Brycge Cadalzo (bassist) remained, doing their own thing. Soon after they followed. The trio reunited for SU’s Rock Against Youth Apathy (RAYA) 2023 after Ruthi contacted them.
Ruthi admits, “I almost didn’t audition. But I knew that if I didn’t, I would regret it.” They didn’t win, placing fourth— but the gig offers started pouring in. That loss, ironically, marked their breakthrough.
On a whim, the name Boylosers was chosen. Ruthi chuckles, “The name just made sense, and we knew of Boygenius. It was kind of ironic, kind of emo, but in a strange sense, it felt like us.”
Although alternative rock is the foundation of their sound, they don’t mind bending genres. What draws viewers back are the musicians’ camaraderie and the emotional depth of their lyrics. When lead guitarist Achilles Gadingan joined a year later, the synergy only grew stronger.
Their band identity has been shaped in part by their performances at Purok Gahi-hosted events in Dumaguete. Justine says, “The local scene’s support really opened our eyes. It inspired us to work harder and improve.”
Boylosers intends to push their music while remaining loyal to their emotional foundations as they write, record, and perform more. Their debut single, My First Kiss (and Probably Your Last), captures the raw, heartfelt energy that defines their sound. For Ruthi, music is more than gigs. It is a means to grow, connect, and give purpose.
Jeon: The Soul of a Songwriter
Jeon, whose real name is John Imre Lasmarias, is another artist whose music speaks to the soul as much as the audience.
Having grown up surrounded by music, Jeon is a solo performer and multi-instrumentalist. He claims that even before he was born, his mother played classical music for him. “I suppose it stuck.”
He started taking piano lessons when he was seven years old and was later given a ukulele. And that was the beginning. He eventually learned to play the guitar himself and joined the praise and worship team at his church. His music and skills were influenced by the roots of live performance and classical music.
Then 2020 arrived. Jeon remembers, “The pandemic messed with my head. I suddenly wrote a song since I was feeling nervous. I had never really written a song till then.”
Writing songs became a personal endeavor for Jeon. He draws inspiration from a variety of sources, including depressing movies, rainy days, and spontaneous ideas he scribbles down on his phone in class. “It’s like journaling, but with chords.” He chuckles, “It helps to be a little OA.”
He finds time to write, play, and perform all while studying engineering. “Music is my outlet. It keeps me sane.”
He has played with his band Chilled Pandesal, which won first place during RAYA 10 before eventually disbanding, joined SUPASA, and made it to the finals of the Valentine Songwriting Competition (VSC).
“Kuya Cris Aguilar is my main inspiration,” Jeon says. “He demonstrated to me that music is a vocation rather than merely a pastime.”
Jeon’s dream? To continue composing and performing songs that give people a sense of visibility. “It’s already a success if even one person finds something I wrote meaningful,” he expresses.
He intends to release more music online and is working on other projects, such as a collaboration with Beka of Indigo Wave.
The Beat Goes On
One thing is certain: Silliman University is home to a surge of musical talent that deserves to be heard, felt, and embraced, whether it is through the uplifting harmonies of Indigo Wave, the angsty honesty of Boylosers, or the emotional vulnerability in Jeon’s solo work.
Now is the perfect moment to tune in if you haven’t already. Attend their upcoming performances, stream their music, and follow these up-and-coming college rock stars. Because in this university, the future of OPM is not just being studied— it’s being written.
