In their last show, Versions, held at ViVA Café, this seven-month-old P-pop vocal group showed why being formulaic is not part of their vocabulary.
Composed of Oliver Agustin, Kirby Bas, Shone Ejusa, Kier and leader of the band, director Frank Lloyd Mamaril, the quintet called Formula 5 highlighted their musical superiority in a repertoire of newly arranged anthems, telling the stories and making the subtexts of songs crystal in group and solo numbers. They ruled the stage and wowed the packed venue with their charisma and sincerity.
Versions
Band leader and manager Mamaril said, “The main reason for staging Versions is that we want our fans and casuals, of course, to see how much we have grown and improved as a vocal group. May nangyayari na, may mga pagbabago na, pero (Things have happened, and there have been changes, but) there are still so many dreams we want to realize.”
Mamaril added: “The concert was the opportune venue to showcase our own voices individually and as a group, singing styles, song choices giving it the feels and honesty and songwriting. Formula 5 is not just about physical aesthetics; we are more focused on putting passion and truth in all the songs we perform. Gusto namin ang takeaway palagi ng audience when they watch and hear us, yung they like what they hear and that the songs we sing humahaplos talaga sa mga puso nila (What we want for the audience to take away every time they watch us is that they like what they hear and that our songs really touch their hearts).”
And the songs that pulled the heartstrings during Versions were Agustin’s achy-breaky rendition of “All I Want”; Mamaril’s refreshing musical spin of “Take On Me”; Kier’s jazzed up “I Want To Dance With Somebody”; Ejuse’s male version of “And I Telling You” and Base’s “Lost Stars.”
Two outstanding group numbers were the Nora Aunor tribute song, “Handog,” which the group laced with reverence and respect for the National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts, and they capped the show with an SB19 iconic anthem, “Hanggang Sa Huli.” They acknowledged SB19 as the Kings of P-pop and performed the anthem with all the requisite pain and pathos.
Seven-month itch
There is no seven-month artistic itch for Formula 5, Mamaril said. “There is no need to scratch it because we’re doing something right. We’re doing something that we all love, which is to sing, perform. We’d like to continue this. We may not have a network to support us, but no one can take away the family we have built. And the family we consider are the people behind these scenes — directors, artistic and technical crews, production managers and
assistants, lahat (everyone)! What also makes Formula 5 distinctive, since I am also a director, I involved these guys to be involved behind the scenes — sa (in) production or mounting of a show or concert. I want all of us to learn and appreciate how it is to be on stage and how to work behind the scenes.”
The quintet’s brotherhood has become tighter now that they have been working together these past seven months. They look forward to more years together, and their songs get massive love and support from their growing fans.
A dream they wish to realize, Kier said, is “to perform at larger venues like the MOA Arena or the Araneta Coliseum, we pray that it comes true and we will work hard to realize it. As the group’s songwriter, aside from composing songs for Formula 5, I hope I get the opportunity to write songs for other artists. You know, writing songs has always been a passion. It has also served as a means for me to express myself. I believe our group is gaining notice because of the songs. People need songs that address their heartbreaks and pain. Ang ang dami kong pang songs na may ganung themes na sana, ma-interpret ng iba pang (I still have a lot of songs with those themes that I hope may be interpreted by other) OPM artists.”
The youthful-looking Bas who, aside from singing, plays the violin well, said of his seven-month stint: “To perform onstage, whether it’s an intimate or grand venue, is proof that dreams do come true. I am most grateful to director Frank Lloyd for constantly guiding us. What we like about him as a member and manager is that he always ensures that every voice is heard and that we get the opportunity to shine. In the past seven months, hindi lang ako, kundi lahat kami, nag-shine sa entablado (it was not just me but all of us who shone onstage).”
My Formula 5 bias Oliver Agustin said: “These seven months, the singing and the performing made us closer. And kahit iba-iba ang vocal styles namin, natutunan namin to blend and harmonize and mas litaw-litaw ang aming harmonies when we do mash up numbers na sa tingin ko, one of our core strengths as a vocal group. Pag sabayang pagkanta na kami, I believe we sound and become a dream group.”
Agustin, the group’s heartthrob, believes that singing brings them closer together, despite their different vocal styles. When combined, it becomes a dream group.”
Another ace of the vocal group is their main power singer, Ejusa. Aside from being a stunner with his Pinoy good looks, he knows how to slay, and what is significant to note, when he interprets Broadway showstoppers, is he never gives so much embellishment to prove that he can reach those higher-than-high notes.
Now we all know why there is nothing formulaic about Formula 5.