Parokya ni Edgar (lit: Edgar's Parish) is a Filipino rock band formed in 1993, composed of Chito Miranda (lead vocals), Gab Chee Kee (rhythm guitar, vocals), Buwi Meneses (bass guitar, backing vocals), Darius Semaña (lead guitar, backing vocals), Dindin Moreno (drums, percussion), and Vinci Montaner (backing vocals). The band is known for its original rock novelty songs and often satirical covers of popular songs both foreign and local. The band is adept at playing in various musical genres.
Parokya ni Edgar has been referred to by local media outlets as "The National Band of the Philippines". As of 2005, the band has reportedly sold 600,000 albums in the Philippines for their first eight albums.[1]
History
Formation and early years
Originally named Comic Relief, the band's initial members were a group of high school students composed of vocalists Chito Miranda, Jeric Estaco, and Vinci Montaner, along with guitarists Mikko Yap and Gab Chee Kee, all hailing from Ateneo de Manila University. They were regulars in after-school jam sessions, before performing an opening number for an Eraserheads concert. This served as their break in the music industry and prompted them to add a drummer and bassist – Ateneo schoolmate Dindin Moreno and Miranda's childhood friend Buwi Meneses, respectively. Around the same time they changed the band's name to Parokya ni Edgar.[2] After high school, Mikko and Jeric withdrew from the band to pursue other interests. Soon after, the remaining band members invited Darius Semaña, Meneses's former bandmate, to take the role of lead guitar.
Career
Name origin
The band name's origin had been a subject of debate among fans as the band members had never given full confirmation. It was not until 2013 that Chito Miranda officially addressed it through a post on their Facebook page. The title "Parokya Ni Edgar" came from a joke a classmate named Bambi Cuna made during one of their high school classes. Sources state that the class subject was Filipino. When the teacher asked Cuna where Jose Rizal's fictional hero, Crisostomo Ibarra (in the novel Noli Me Tangere) was educated, it was said that Cuna made up a daft answer, "sa Parokya ni Edgar". Then-vocalist Jeric Estaco decided on impromptu to introduce the band as "Parokya ni Edgar" in their first live performance. From there, the band name just stuck.[3]
Mainstream
The band's initial recordings, "Buloy", "Trip (Siopao Na Special)" and "Lutong Bahay (Cooking Ng Ina Mo)", gained radio airplay. Their first album, Khangkhungkherrnitz (1996) became a triple platinum hit in the Philippines, having sold 120,000 units. The next albums were equal successes - Buruguduystunstugudunstuy (1997) was awarded triple platinum, Jingle Balls Silent Night Holy Cow (1998) with gold, and Gulong Itlog Gulong (1999) with triple platinum. This included the single "Halaga", one of the most popular songs of the band. "Halaga" was such a hit in the country that it further boosted PNE's career, cementing their name in the OPM scene.[4]
In 1999, 2 years after Eraserheads won as Best Southeast Asian Music Video Award Winner for "Ang Huling El Bimbo" in 1997, Parokya won as Best Southeast Asian Music Video Award Moon Man Winner for the music video "Harana" in the MTV Music Video Music Awards 1999 which was held in New York City.[5]
After a four-year hiatus, they released their studio album Edgar Edgar Musikahan in 2002.[6]
Millennium Success: 2003-2009
Parokya ni Edgar in 2007Parokya ni Edgar in 2016
All throughout 2015, the band toured selected cities in the United States; they headlined at the Landmark Loews Theater in Jersey City, New Jersey on March 21, 2015.[7] That same year, the band began recording for their next album and contained the tracks "Sing" and "Lagi Mong Tatandaan", the former featuring Rico Blanco. Their 9th studio album and their 14th overall album is entitled Pogi Years Old. The cover album was revealed on September 2, 2016 through their Facebook page and expected to be released by 2016. Former member Vinci Montaner was said to appear on the album as a featured artist.[8] On September 9, 2016, the band held a free surprise show at the Bonifacio Shrine in Manila.[9] The album was released on October 17, 2016 nationwide and on digital format.[10] The band held an album launch at Eastwood Central Plaza on October 16, 2016, marking the return of Vinci Montaner, who would join permanently days later.[11]
On November 22, 2017, Parokya was named as the newest celebrity music star inductee in the 2017 Eastwood City Walk of Fame in Eastwood City Mall Quezon City for their influence in Pinoy rock music. Parokya was the third related music group and first OPM rock band to be inducted to the Eastwood City Walk Of Fame.[12][13]
Current: 2020-present
As of 2020, Parokya is still active with more gigs and is scheduled to release their new single together with the band Kamikazee.[14]
Activism
Parokya joined PETA's Free Mali campaign in 2013. "Mali has been sentenced to a miserable life of solitary confinement with absolutely nothing to do day after day, year after year", says lead vocalist Chito Miranda. Scientists, politicians, religious leaders, and tens of thousands of other concerned people have joined PETA in calling for Mali to be freed. "We in Parokya ni Edgar do, too. Even if the elephant exhibit at the Manila Zoo were to be doubled or tripled in size, it would still not be adequate to house one elephant, never mind additional ones. While zoos around the world have spent upwards of 2 billion pesos on attempts at more appropriately sized elephant exhibits, more and more zoos have recognized that the needs of these complex and intelligent animals cannot be met in captivity".[15]
Another Biggest OPM Hits of The Year SUPER 2 (Universal Records, 2007)
Pinoy Biggie Hits Vol. 3 (Star Music, 2007)
Astig...The Biggest Band Hits (Universal Records, 2008)
Harana: OPM's Biggest Hits In Guitar (Ivory Music, 2009)
I-Star 15: The Best Of Alternative & Rock Songs (Star Music, 2010)
OPM All Star Christmas (Universal Records, 2010)
A Perfectly Acoustic Experience (PolyEast Records, 2011)
Awit Kapuso: Kay Sarap Maging Kapuso (GMA Music, 2012)
Super Astig Hits (Universal Records, 2016)
Singles
1996: "Buloy"
1996: "Lutong Bahay (Cooking ng Ina Mo)"
1996: "Tatlong Araw"
1996: "Maniwala Ka Sana"
1997: "Silvertoes"
1997: "Sayang"
1997: "Harana" (composed by Eric Yaptangco and originally sung by former Smokey Mountain singer and incumbent Finance Undersecretary Tony Lambino; also PNE's 1st cover song and was also covered by APO Hiking Society in 2001)
Parokya ni Edgar band vocalist member Chito Miranda is also an occasional movie actor, starring in his debut movie appearance "Coming Soon" which was released in 2013. Miranda is also an occasional solo artist, having collaborations with Abra, Gloc-9, Maysh Baay of Moonstar88, former Rivermaya frontman Rico Blanco, and Eunice Jorge of Gracenote. Parokya also had collaborations with Francis M and with former Eraserheads frontman Ely Buendia for the single "Hosanna Ngayong Pasko" as part of the band's Christmas album, "Jingle Balls Silent Night Holy Cow" which was released in 1998. Miranda is also a T-shirt brand ambassador endorser of Uniqlo Philippines in 2012 together with former singer-actress Nikki Gil-Albert and other actors and sports personalities. Miranda was also their first solo T-shirt endorser. Miranda has recently endorsed, with wife Neri and his Miggy, for a Bonakid Kids Milk Commercial in 2021. Chito is now also a celebrity bank endorser of an oldest bank in Southeast Asia, Bank of the Philippine Islands Chito is now the recent newest judge in a brand new season of Idol Philippines replacing original judge James Reid and comedian Vice Ganda now replaces Gary V. as the newest judge while original Idol PH judges Asia's songbird TV host and actress Regine Velasquez-Alcasid and commercial jingle singer and TV host Moira Dela Torre will return again also in a recent new season in 2022.
Parokya's backing vocalist Vinci Montaner is also a solo artist and also worked with Pinoy hip hop artist Gloc-9 in 2019. Monataner also covered Jose Mari Chan's iconic signature song, "Beautiful Girl", which was his all-time favorite love song. This cover single becomes a rock ballad cover song and was also part of Parokya's 14th overall album, "Pogi Years Old" released in 2016.
Buwi Meneses is also a commercial endorser for "RJ Guitars" which he had his first solo commercial, playing bass. Meneses is also a former member of the band Franco in 2010, with Franco Reyes. Buwi is also venture into acting aside from playing bass guitar as he also joined as a former contestant of a filipino adaptation of Survivor Philippines Celebrity Doubles Showdown and was formerly Aired on GMA Channel 7 in 2010, but he was lost to Japanese model & actor Akihiro Sato.
Paolo Bernaldo is the band's regular touring and session bassist filling in for long time bassist Buwi Meneses who is currently residing in the US. Meneses still plays in the band in US tours and occasional visits in the Philippines. Bernaldo is also a former member of the band Moonstar88 along with Maysh Baay who also had a duet with Parokya lead singer Chito Miranda.
Andrew Panaligan is now currently the recent newest band member Parokya replaced from long time back up singer Vinci "Vinch" Montaner who is now currently migrated and also residing in California, Montaner is also part of the band where he still sings in mostly U.S. & Canada Tours and he also occasionally visits the Philippines. Panaligan is a former band member of "Iktus".
In popular culture and cultural references
In Inuman Na, mascots Balawis (Pinoy version of Alien Movie) & Yosi Kadiri (a former mascot of DOH), The Brownbeat All Stars, Keltscross, The Youth, former Barbies Cradle frontgirl Barbie Almabis-Honasan, former Rivermaya frontman Rico Blanco, the Teeth lead vocalist Glen Jacinto, OPM pop artist Gino Padilla (who samples playing a guitar), and the late comedians Master Showman Kuya Germs and Tado Jimenez are guest in a funny music video released in 1999.
The song, "Please Don't Touch My Birdie", is a comedy song that is based around the singer's "birdie" being their best friend and a source for happy moments. Birdie is Filipino slang for a man's penis.
In the music video of "Picha Pie", Chito Miranda plays and bassist Buhawi Menses resembling Jin Kazama act in a parody of Tekken 3 as "Chitosan" and "Buhawi" respectively.[36]
In Harana Music Video, the late comedian Tado Jimenez plays as a bald guy with a fly on his head beginning in a parody of "Don't Speak" by No Doubt Band.
In "Wag Ka Na" Music Video, Parokya Band members with Eunice Jorge of Gracenote Band grilling a marshmallows and hotdogs with a fireplace in a parody of Disney's Camp Rock 2's "This Is Our Song".
G Toengi was the first female guest appearance in the music video, "Harana".
Parokya was the first OPM rock band inducted to the Eastwood City Walk Of Fame in 2018, its also similar patterned to the Hollywood Walk Of Fame in Hollywood, California, 6 years later in 2024, fellow OPM Rock Bands, The Dawn & Rivermaya band were also did awarded recognized by the Kuya Germs Eastwood Walk Of Fame.
Parokya was the second OPM rock band who were awarded as Best International Southeastern Asian Music Artist winner for the music video "Harana" in the MTV Video Music Awards in New York City, New York in 1999, and also 2 years after Eraserheads won their 1st MTV Video Music Awards Best International Southeast Asian Music Artist Winner for the music video "Ang Huling El Bimbo" released in 1997.
Parokya was also the second MYX Magna Award Winner in the 9th MYX Music Awards 2014, 5 years after Eraserheads also won the same award category in 2009.
Parokya's first music video was, "Buloy" and released in 1996 as a debut single and also a debut album, "Khangkhungkherrnitz".
"Buloy" is a true story about a former FEU Student who died of depression in 1996 and also the late Buloy was posthumously appeared in the music video and become an instant Parokya hit.
The song "Lutong Bahay (Cooking ng Ina Mo)" is a joke based on a Filipino maternal insult.
Parokya's first original English song was "Sampip" in 1997.
Parokya was the only OPM rock band does have a parody music videos such as "Picha Pie" (Parodies "Ace Ventura" & "Tekken 3", 1999), "Harana" (Parody of "Don't Speak" by No Doubt Band", "Halaga" (Combined Dance parody of "Backstreet Boys" & "Blink 182", 1999), "Swimming Beach" (Parody of "Survivor USA", 2002), "Sorry Na" (parody of "Jane Fonda Aerobics Workout Video", 2002), "The Yes Yes Show" (parody of a Hip Hop Music Video, 2003), "Mr. Suave" (Parody of an R&B Band, 2003), "Para Sa Yo" (Parody of "Pinoy Big Brother", 2005), "Mang Jose" (Parody of "Batman The Movie", 2005), "The Ordertaker" (Parody of "WWE", 2005), "Papa Cologne" (Parody of "Players Cologne For Men" & "AXE Deo For Men" Commercials, 2005), "Gitara" (Parody of "Koreanovela" TV series, 2005), "Name Fun" (Parody of "Name Game", 2005), "Macho" (Combined Parody of "Village People" & "Hagibis", 2007), "Pangarap Lang Kita" (Inspired by a Chinatown Music Video, 2010), "Ang Parokya" (Inspired by a music video, "You're Know You're Right" by Nirvana, 2013), "Wala Lang Yon" (Parody of a "Big Head Effects", 2016), "Pati Pato" (Parody of Linking Park, 2020), "It's Masarap" (Parody of a longest running noontime comedy variety program, "Eat Bulaga", 2021), "Wag Ka Na" (parody of Disney's Camp Rock 2's This Is Our Song, 2022) & their latest single, "Until Now" (2022, Inspired by MTV Unplugged).
Parokya won as Best New Artist in the NU 107 Rock Awards in 1996.
Parokya's first commercial endorsement was "Chippy" in 1999, 3 years after Eraserheads also did their endorsement in a "Chippy" commercial in 1995.
Parokya frontman Chito Miranda & Former Eraserheads frontman Ely Buendia both duets in a Christmas single, "Hosanna Ngayong Pasko" from Parokyas 1st Christmas Album, "Jingle Balls Silent Night Holy Cow" in 1998.
Parokya's first parody cover was "Nakaw Ang Wallet Ko!", a parody cover of "Bob Dylan's Knocking On Heavens Door" which also covered by "Guns N' Roses", the parody cover single was released in 1996.
Parokya's first cover OPM song was "Harana" original composed and sung by former Smokey Mountain frontman & former Finance Undersecretary Tony Lambino in 1997.
Parokya's first DVD release was Matira Matibay: Parokya's Best 1994–2007.
Parokya's first Christmas Album was Jingle Balls, Silent Night, Holy Cow was released in 1998.
Parokya's first live album was Inuman Sessions Vol. 1 in 2004 then a follow up 10 years later an Inuman Sessions Vol. 2 was released in 2014.
Parokya's first 16mm music video was "Harana" in 1997.
Parokya's first HD music video was "Pangarap Lang Kita" in 2010.
Parokya's first parody album cover was inspired by a late 60's and early 70's theme.
Parokya's first non band music video and also 1st love team music video was "Rosas" with Ronnie Alonte & Loisa Andalio was shot entirely in Marikina City in 2022.
Parokya's 1st non band photography album and also their 1st cover logo album was Borbolen, it was released on December 10, 2021.
Parokya's first Vinyl album was a 1996 debut album, "Khangkhungkherrnitz" was re-released on February 17, 2022, and also were the 10th OPM rock band members after Juan Dela Cruz Band, Maria Cafra, Anak Bayan Band, Asin Band, The Dawn, Eraserheads, Rivermaya, Kjwan & Itchyworms also released their vinyl albums as well.
Parokya is the only OPM rock band that has a free parody version of NBA basketball trading cards inside a cassette tape (1 per random card), inside a CD (complete trading cards and a free limited edition mini 2000 calendar card) "only available on CD" in 1999.
Parokya is also the only OPM rock band to have a free coloring book inside the CD, released in 2005.
Parokya's first female guest singer in the 2010 album, "Middle-Aged Juvenile Novelty Pop Rockers" was Happee Sy, 2 years later, Yeng Constantino also covered the song in a live album of PNE in 2014.
Parokya's first piano single was Panahon Na Naman Ng Harana with former Rivermaya frontman Rico Blanco as plays the piano which the song combines Panahon Na Naman (original composed by Rico Blanco & Original by Rivermaya) and Harana (original composed & sung by former Smokey Mountain Frontman & former Finance Undersecretary Tony Lambino), and it was released in 2016.
Parokya was the second OPM rock band for creating their limited T-shirts after Eraserheads, Eraserheads also launched their T-shirt designs in 2012, while Parokya also launched their T-shirt designs around 2014.
Parokya's first T-shirt design was a kaldero typed band designed shirt in 2014, their recent was a debut album "Khangkhungkherrnitz"" design was also launched in 2022.
Parokya's first parody designed T-shirt was "The Simpsons" designed version in 2020, while their latest design was a Simpson family design shirt now included with former PNE 2nd Frontman Vinci Montaner who played as a Pizza Man mascot (a parody of the Lard Lad Donut Man Mascot Figure) in 2021, recently also in 2021, Parokya had another new batch set of T-shirt designs featuring Japanese Robot Animaes of Mazinger Z, Voltron, Daimos, and their recent robot design shirt was Voltes V. For their 1st anniversary in 2022, Parokya launched their first hoodie jacket shirt with a new design, a parody version of "He-Man". The "He-Man" parody is also now available on the T-shirt version of Parokya Ni Edgar. For their 2nd anniversary in 2023, a new parody version of “Gorillaz Band” designed t shirt version of PNE.
Billboard Magazine Philippines (2016-2018; 2023-present, 5 times)
Notes
^— in 2015, Meneses and his family relocated to the United States and now resides there. Although, he is still listed as an official member of the band, he occasionally plays during world tours, vacation to the Philippines, and other gigs. Paolo Bernaldo of Moonstar88 fills-in for in him on bass duties.[16]
^— Montaner had announced his departure on October 14, 2012, through the band's official page on Facebook citing personal reasons. This marked the second time that Montaner left the group. Montaner temporarily left the band to attend school in 2005 and later rejoined them in the making of their album, "Solid", released in 2007.[17] Montaner briefly reunited with the band in 2013 in a one night only appearance during the launching date of PNE's 13th album "Bente" and back again as featured back up vocals in PNE's 10th studio album (14th overall) "Pogi Years Old" which was released in 2016. He officially returned on the same year. As of 2019, he is currently on hiatus but is still listed as member of the band.
References
^No mean feat. Philippine Daily Inquirer. October 3, 2005.
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