The poster girl and boy of the '90s era were of course Kate Moss, who made waifish a supermodel thing, and the American rapper Marky Mark, turning low-waist jeans with boxer briefs reveal an in thing. The Seattle sound that was grunge became the music of choice with the trinity of Nirvana, Soundgarden and Pearl Jam blasting their way to mainstream American Top 40 charts and their angst-filled anthems dominated radio and music television.

In this Southeast Asian side of Hollywood, bands ruled the music industry. Their cassette tapes and then compact discs, sold like hot pandesal (Filipino bread) and the solo artists like Regine Velasquez, Martin Nievera, Gary Valenciano and Pops Fernandez, to name a few, ate the bands' crumbs. Adding more wattage to their allure and popularity, major FM radio stations played the bands' songs excessively.
Mush, romance the bittersweet and unrequited kind, longing and pining were courtesy of Side A, South Border, Neocolours and True Faith.

Controversial lyrics, songs that told stories and the power of the' 90s youth, evident in the anthems of Eraserheads, River Maya, Parokya ni Edgar and Yano.

Ear-pounding, heart-thumping, high-octane and testosterone-induced strains were the contributions of The Dawn, Razorback and Wolfgang.

Thus, it is indeed a no-brainer and no-one wonders why these '90s happenings and icons made a lasting impact in pop culture, as the fascination and reverence for them continue to this day and age of the Gen Zs.

Hello, Buruguduystunstugudunstuy

The musical based on the hits of the Eraserheads, Ang Huling El Bimbo, clocked 240,000 live and seven million online audiences, proving that the songs of Ely Buendia are immortal, appreciated by all, loved by the majority. With this kind of success comes great responsibility, that is why the Full House Theater Company (FHTC) dares to push further in utilizing radio hits songs in their new musical, Buruguduystunstugudunstuy: Ang Parokya ni Edgar Musical.

The musical genius of Parokya ni Edgar's frontman, Chito Miranda, was highlighted during a recent press conference that presented samplings from the soon-to-be staged musical.

Miranda said during the press shindig: "Nakakakilabot kasi napakasimple naming (Spine-tingling because we are very simple) musicians, eh. We only know basic stuff when it comes to songwriting, so pag naririnig mo syang (when we heard our songs) arranged in a professional manner, it's overwhelming. Nakakakilabot, nakakaiyak. (Thrilling, makes us cry.)

"It's flattering. Ganoon pala kaganda 'yung kanta namin pag naayos nang todo. Alam niyo naman para lang kaming mga batang naglalaro noon and hindi rin puwedeng itanggi na ang biggest musical idols namin ay ang Eraserheads." (It's that beautiful when our songs were arranged to the maximum. You know, we were just like kids before and we couldn't deny the fact that our biggest musical idols were the Eraserheads.)

He carried on: "Hindi ko magagawang mag-isa ang music namin sa (I couldn't have made alone our songs in) Parokya. I share the credit with the rest of the band. It has always been a collaborative effort involving me and my bandmates also, hindi naman lahat ng kanta ako ang may gawa (not all our songs were made by me)."

Other members of Parokya are Gab Chee Kee (rhythm guitar), Vinci Montaner (back-up vocals), Buwi Meneses (bass guitar), Darius Semana (lead guitar) and Dindin Moreno (drums).

Miranda revealed that he would surely watch the opening night performance together with his bandmates.

He said: "Gusto kong mapanood 'yung (I want to watch the) first show. I want to see it because I gave total artistic freedom kasi (because) I trust their calls more than I do mine, eh.  I'm excited because I really don't know what to expect. I'm really excited to see what they have prepared for us."

Dexter Santos directs the musical in collaboration with Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo and Michael Stuart Williams as co-artistic directors. Playwright is Rody Vera, with musical direction and arrangement by Ejay Yatco.

The quartet of female leads are Kyle Napuli, Marymor Madamesila, Tex de Leon and Natasha Cabrera. Playing support are Noel Comia Jr., Jasper Jimenez, Nicco Manalo and Pepe Herrera as Mr. Suave.

In conclusion, Miranda said: "I am not just happy, I am ecstatic! I hope everyone gives their love when Buruguduystunstugudunstuy: Ang Parokya ni Edgar Musical opens. Sama-sama tayong manood, magsaya at kumanta. (Let's watch all together, be happy and sing.)

Buruguduystunstugudunstuy: The Parokya ni Edgar Musical opens on 26 April at the Newport Performing Arts Theater of Newport World Resorts in Pasay City.