Ang Bandang Shirley disbands following Aguila allegations
Indie rock band Ang Bandang Shirley announced via Facebook post on Wednesday that they have officially disbanded following allegations of impropriety against one of their founding members, Emmanuel "Ean" Aguila.
"We have decided not to continue as a band. This is the end for Ang Bandang Shirley. We thank you for all your support and for listening to our music through the years," their statement reads.
On Aguila's allegations, the band states: "Let it be known that we strongly do not condone his behavior, and we urged him to take full responsibility for his actions. He made a statement and eventually decided to quit the band."
What are the allegations against Ean Aguila?
The allegations surfaced after Paulene Rana, a musician known by the handle @thepurestblue on Instagram, shared a series of Instagram Stories detailing her experience with Aguila.
In one post, she shared an image of writer Neil Gaiman on the cover of New York Magazine, drawing a parallel between the public admiration of artists and their private misconduct.
"Unfortunately, great artists can really be abusive and disrespectful people. Yes, your idol can be the worst person you will ever meet. Yes, your idol can ruin your life without you realizing it immediately — and that’s on power dynamics."
She then revealed a troubling connection: "It’s funny how the person who groomed me when I was 17 also idolized Neil Gaiman."
New York Magazine in January published an in-depth investigation into rape and sexual assault accusations against Gaiman which first emerged in 2024. Gaiman denies the allegations.
Rana said she was a fan of Ang Bandang Shirley and first interacted with Aguila in 2013 when he commented on one of her tracks on social media. At the time, she was a 17-year-old high school senior and Aguila was 30.
Initially, she felt flattered by his attention, unaware of the implications of grooming due to her young age. As she grew older and began dating people her age, she noticed Aguila lingering in her life.
"I used to take pride in being able to handle a friendship with an ex, but it started to feel like he was just always hovering and watching me be with other people."
Rana also claimed that she was accused of fabricating screenshots after speaking out. She described Aguila as someone who frequently took photos and videos of people in personal moments.
Additionally, she recalled instances where she was randomly added to group chats filled with Aguila’s male friends.
"He liked giving me away like a prize or some sh*."
Beyond Aguila, Rana also accused another well-known figure in the Filipino indie scene, Bullet Dumas, of sexual harassment, sharing a screenshot as evidence.
She concluded her statements with a strong condemnation of the local indie music industry:
"The Philippine independent music scene is filled with horrible predators."
Shirley over now
Formed in 2003 by founding members Owel Alvero and Aguila, Ang Bandang Shirley began as a modest two-man project before evolving into a nine-piece ensemble that helped shape the Filipino indie music landscape. Their name pays homage to the Eraserheads’ b-side track “Shirley."
Over the years, they earned a reputation for their catchy yet emotionally resonant sound — often described as both infectiously fun and deeply relatable. With three albums under their belt — Themesongs (2008), Tama Na Ang Drama (2012), and Favorite (2017) — Ang Bandang Shirley earned a place among the Philippines' most well-known indie pop/rock acts.
