Ben&Ben drummer Jam Villanueva has announced that 2026 will be her last year with the folk-pop band.
Photo: Ben&Ben/Instagram
On December 11, Ben&Ben posted a video of Jam, where she gave a life update. She also looked back on the eight years she has spent with the band.
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“Ever since I was a kid, I always wanted to play music. I knew it was as early as grade school. I did nothing except listen to music and learn how to play the songs on the drums. I kept following this path and took a music business course for college because I couldn’t see myself doing anything else,” she reflected.
Eventually, she found her way to Ben&Ben, which she described as the “biggest and craziest” chapter of her life. Apart from gaining friends she would cherish for the rest of her life, she was also thankful for their tight-knit community, whom they call Liwanag.
“Words can never express how deep my gratitude is for everyone on our team, our collaborators, and every single person who listens and connects with our music. We literally wouldn’t have been able to do and keep doing any of this if it weren’t for you,” she said.
“You encouraged us to create honest music by fully accepting our awkward and introverted selves and by just allowing us to be who we are,” she added, highlighting how each band member also grew up as a better individual over time.
However, she noted that she will only be with the band until 2026 after experiencing life-redefining moments that “developed and strengthened” her values.
“In 2024, I got married, and in April of 2025, I injured my wrist. These two events have developed and strengthened my values and, in turn, redefined the life I see myself living. There’s no easy way to say this, next year 2026, will be my last year with the band,” she shared.
“Yes, ako ’yung saranggola,” she said, referring to their 2025 song “Saranggola,” which is about saying goodbye to the past while cherishing the friendships and unforgettable moments along the way.
As the heartfelt video comes to a close, she is hopeful to see fans and listeners at their events in 2026.
“I hope to see you next year sa mga shows, events, and hangouts. Let’s make next year a fun and memorable one,” she concluded.
In May 2025, it was revealed that the drummer was diagnosed with de Quervain’s Tendinosis, or “Drummer’s Wrist.” This painful condition is an inflammation of the thumb tendons, which is a common condition in drummers due to repetitive movement.
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Ben&Ben is a popular OPM band best known for their songs “Araw-Araw,” “Pagtingin,” “Leaves,” and “Bibingka,” among others.
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