GOOD FOOD, GREAT MUSIC, AND ROCKIN’ FUN AT COLLEGE COLLISION: BACK TO BASIX
Cowboy Grill – Delta turned the heat up and rocked an otherwise ordinary Sunday night with the most anticipated College Collision: Back to BaSIX! Extensive preparation brought about the sixth installment of this annual battle of the bands. Ten bands from different colleges and universities in the Metro finally collided last March 10.
THE NEW ROCK AGE
“College Collision has always been an avenue for young artists to showcase their talents and most importantly, promote original Filipino music,” says DZUP Radio Circle president, Eah Antonio.
The ten bands that made it to the finals this year are Altar of Eden, Ashfire, Seño, Ratfield, Daffadowndilly, Fiya’s Fate, Moira, Neverdie, Downdraft, and Crimson Stain.
Post-hardcore band Typecast also took part in the event with a special act, performing the songs “This Kind of Silence,” “Boston Drama,” and “Reverend’s Daughter.” College Collision 5 Grand Champion SoulPage returned to guest at the event with performances of “Ano Bang Gusto Mo,” “Muli,” and “Got Love”.
More than just showcasing their talent, the finalists lit up the stage with their strong spirit, charisma, and energy. Six special awards were given that night in recognition of all these factors, given out with the help of the event’s three judges: Edric Oliveros, the Entertainment Manager of Cowboy Grill ; Robert Dela Cruz, drummer of Queso; and Francis “Brew” Reyes, former member of the rock band The Dawn and now music arranger for the Roadrunner Network.
Daffadowndilly and Fiya’s Fate tied for the Cowboy Grill’s Choice Award, winning gift certificates from the restobar. The latter also received the Yakisobrang Shared Photo Award from Nissin Yakisoba, garnering over thirty thousand shares for their official band photo on College Collision’s Facebook page. Cavite’s pride Seño bagged the award for Best Original Composition. Atenean rockers Downdraft won the People’s Choice Award.
This year, the Best Power Chord Award and the title of Grand Champion went to Ashfire.
ASHFIRE: Setting the Local Music Scene Ablaze
Ashfire was formed on January 7, 2012. The name is a play on the creation of ashes from fire, explains guitarist Jerome Michael, a student from STI Shaw. The band also includes vocalist Donnie Ranido (STI Shaw), drummer Romz Vargas (STI Shaw), bassist Aldrin Encina (TIP), and guitarist Faye Yu (UP Diliman), whose presence fulfills the band’s need for a female guitarist.
To quote Ashfire, having a female guitarist is “astig.” Since its formation, the band has only been in two contests. Losing the first one did not stop them from joining College Collision 6, and it is as if destiny played a part in their victory.
The band cites Mr. Big, Guns N’ Roses, Racer X, Bamboo, Juan Dela Cruz, and Paul Gilbert as major influences. The members’ feelings and experiences (mostly about love) also play a huge part in determining their sound–a mix of glam rock and alternative rock.
“OPM is not dead,” Ashfire stresses. Many Filipinos continue to make music out there; likewise, many Filipinos continue to believe in and support OPM.
Aside from the Grand Champion title, Ashfire also won Php20,000 in cash, a special trophy, a certificate, and a radio guesting at DZUP 1602 AM Radio.
FRESH FACE, NEW PLACE
For the first time ever, Cowboy Grill played host to this year’s College Collision. Known for showcasing an impressive roster of new and young musicians, College Collision only got better this year with the venue’s huge stage, flashy lights and great acoustics coupled with the cozy ambiance and sumptuous food served by friendly staff. All these surely made the whole experience more intimate and perfect for bonding with friends while rocking out.
More than three hundred guests came to watch CC6 live. The heavy rain that began shortly after the first performance did nothing to keep music enthusiasts from witnessing young artists rock out on College Collision stage. DigRadio.PH also provided a live streaming of the event online. Adding to the excitement, raffle prizes by event sponsors also went up for grabs.
SPREADING THE LOVE FOR OPM
College Collision is the flagship event of DZUP Radio Circle, a young student organization affiliated with DZUP 1602, the official AM radio station of the University of the Philippines Diliman. It is composed of students from different colleges in the University of the Philippines Diliman working together for a better community through radio as a medium. As a radio-centric organization, DZUP Radio Circle also believes in the power and talent of Filipino musicians. From promising freshmen to equipped seniors who are ready to take on the world, the members of the organization combine their unique skills and ideas to make College Collision happen every year.
“DZUP Radio Circle, with its growing membership, will continually endeavor the promotion of radio and passion for music and local artists,” Eah Antonio concludes.
The student organization has high hopes not only for young Filipino musicians, but for College Collision as well. Always envisioned to be something bigger and greater than the previous year’s CC, this event aims to feature more talents and ingenuity in today’s young musicians.
College Collision: Back to BaSIX would not have been possible without DZUP Radio Circle’s partnership with Cowboy Grill, Icon Music Studios, Asia United Bank, Sound Essentials, and PAGCOR; the help of the event’s major sponsors, Jack ‘n’ Jill Dynamite and Nissin Yakisoba; and the participation of Monster Radio RX 93.1, 99.5 Play FM, DZUP 1602 AM, DigRadio.PH, WhenInManila.Com, ClickTheCity.Com, OrangeMagazineTV.Com, PULP Magazine, Rakista.Com, CircuitMag.Net, and Spot.PH.
Special thanks go to Pearlie White, the Office of Senator TG Guingona, Dental First, Skin Sanctuary, Dairy Queen, JazUP, and Platito.
Good Food, Great Music and Rockin’ Fun at COLLEGE COLLISION: BACK TO BASIX
