“Halik,” “Luha,” “Basang-Basa sa Ulan,” “Sayang na Sayang”and yes,  the catchiest of them all, “Christmas Bonus,” the mere mention of these titles, immediately we know them all, we hum and sing their lyrics with flare and gusto. They are the anthems of Aegis, the Filipino show and rock band whose music and songs, we never get tired of listening to and singing.

It was on one rainy night, with cars and public transport turtle-paced — what with the wet road and the number vehicles overwhelming the coastal road. When I first heard a song from Aegis. Inside the bus with its artic cool temperature and these lyrics, that came from an FM radio, filled our cramped space, “Heto ako ngayon nag-iisa. Naglalakbay sa gitna ng dilim. Lagi na lang akong nadarapa ngunit heto ako bumabangon pa rin…” (Here I am now, alone. Traveling in the dark of the night. I am always falling, but here I am getting up, always)…what a distinctive voice! Lyrics with a lot of emotions in them. And a smasher of a pop rock musical arrangement. There was something hypnotic about the song, bringing this listener to a trance and when the voice of the disc jockey revealed that Aegis was the name of the artists behind the song, it was a indeed a love at first listen moment for me. Composed of the Sunot sisters Juliet and Ken, Rey Abenoja, Stella Pabico, Rowena Adriano and Vilma Goloviogo, we give praise and thank the gods for their music. Mercy Sunot was its original lead vocalist who died of cancer last year.

Music and magic

There is something magical and special with Aegis songs because they highlight themes of love and its many splendors, the kind of love that brings aches, bruises and pains, and it’s a given that we Pinoys are a romantic lot, their songs have not only struck a chord, but pulled the many heartstrings of their adoring listeners and who sing along with them public.

Their anthems and melodies carry our real-life romantic experiences — kilig and happy, the color me lonely, the not forgetting and regretting what we did for love, the mush and all that jazz for the one “na mamahalin tayo para sa lahat ng hindi nagmahal sa atin (the songs that will love us for all who did not love us).” Their songs are everywhere. Staples in karaoke bars, show stopper numbers in family videoke get together sessions, winning pieces in amateur singing contests, grand production numbers in musical variety shows by newbies and seasoned concert royals and even became the most important ingredient of one of the most loved and watched Filipino musical of all times, Rak of Aegis, heralded by the majority as a musical ppi cultural phenomenon.

A Valentine Special

All roads lead to New Frontier Theater this 1 and 2 February as the pop rock icons take centerstage with a concert billed “Aegis: Halik sa Ulan: A Valentine Special.”

During the press conference held recently at the Viva Café, sisters Juliet and Ken, were visibly emotional about the demise of their sister Mercy.

Both admitted that they are still adjusting about her not being with them anymore. Missing their sister, who was the Aegis’ alpha and anchor, was a big emotional blow for them. However, they are doing this concert, to honor their sister’s legacy and fulfill their promise to her of “walang iwanan” and “hanggang sa huli, sama-sama tayo, kumakanta, pinapasaya ang aming mga manonood at taga-hanga.”

Aegis won’t be alone on the New Frontier stage as each night features a unique lineup of guest performers.

Morissette Amon, on the first night, collaborates with Aegis alongside rising band Formula 5 and a surprise guest artist, an OPM legend.

OPM luminary, singer and song writer Ogie Alcasid, Jona, Asia’s Limitless Star Julie Anne San Jose and Formula 5 are set to captivate audiences with their exceptional talents during the second night special show.

Juliet Sunot said: “Sa totoo lang, maliban sa selebrasiyon ng aming mga kanta, bibigyang pugay naming siempre sa konsiyerto aming kapatid, si Mercy na inspirasyon at gabay na namin, aming anghel sa langit (In truth aside from the celebration of our songs, we give thanks for our sister, Mercy, who is out inspiration, guide and angel in the heavens).”

They also revealed during the press conference that their sister Mercy, will never be replaced.

“Alam ko may ibang singer na kinakanta ang mga kanta namin. Halimbawa si Lyca Ganicod, marami ang nagsasabi na bagay na bagay siya na maging part ng Aegis. Welcome siyang maging special guest sa shows namin. Pero bilang guest. Walang pwedeng pumalit sa pwesto ni Mercy sa Aegis,” Juliet said.

Abenoja, the lone male member of Aegis, said: “I think ang sekreto why andito pa rin kami, at kung bakit marami pa rin ang may gusto sa songs namin, kasi walang pretension. Totoo ang mga sinasabi sa letra. Tungkol sa pagmamahal. Yung pagmamahalan na masaya. May malungkot. May hiwalayan. May ikaw lang ang nagmamahal at iba pa. Ni hindi na namin inakala na mamahalin kami at ang mga kanta namin. Kaya salamat sa lahat. Pasasalamat sa lahat ang special shows na ito.”

There will new songs in their repertoire, old hits given a different musical flavor and Juliet said in conclusion: “Kakayanin namin talaga na wag mag-iiyak sa show. Sinisigurado naming na magiging memorable ang concert.”

Aegis: Halik sa Ulan (A Valentine Special) is produced by Cues + Fues Advertising Inc. and directed by FLM Creatives & Productions Inc. headed by Direk Frank Lloyd Mamaril.

Tickets for Aegis Halik Sa Ulan: A Valentine Special are now available at www.ticletnet.com.ph.