Let’s hear it from Miko & Gab

MANILA, Philippines - When was the last time you heard about a popular singing duo in the country? Perhaps, the most recent was in the early ‘90s when Ana and Soraya, popularly known simply as Fire, were dominating the airwaves with their hit songs aside, of course, from their live stage performances on TV and on the concert stage. Fire was last heard during a reunion concert nine years ago.

Nowadays, singing duo is seemingly not under the radar of this generation called millennials. That’s because boybands have become the center of adulation of music aficionados. No problem about that but still, it would be a welcome addition in the music scene to hear the refreshing voices of Miko Juarez and Gabriel Umali or simply known as Miko and Gab.

Miko and Gab are the newest members of the Asian Artists Agency, Inc. (AAAI) family who recently signed a recording deal with Star Music. The contract signing was the first public appearance of Miko and Gab as a duo.

Miko and Gab are no strangers to vocal performing. Those who tuned in to Pinoy Boyband Superstar on ABS-CBN will definitely remember them. Gab reached the Top 20 spot in the competition while Miko lasted until 12 aspirants remained. Both never stopped trying to realize their dream after they bid the contest goodbye.

“We’ve become close during the contest because Gab was with my siblings watching me perform after he got eliminated,” Miko shares. “Then nung ma-out ako madalas na kaming magkasama manood ng mga shows and we do covers together with my brothers and sister.”

Miko belongs to a musically-inclined family with his dad as his greatest influencer. His aunt from paternal side, Beverly Juarez, was a popular singer in their hometown Cebu before she settled down. Dionne Monsanto (known for her role as Lucy Villadolid in Tubig at Langis for which she earned the moniker, “Bida sa Sampalan”) is Miko’s aunt from his mom’s side.

“Bata pa lang talaga kami, ang hilig naming panoorin ay hindi cartoons kundi mga MTV. Lahat kaming magkakapatid ganun at kahit noong nasa Canada pa kami hilig lang namin gumawa ng covers sa bahay,” relates Miko. “We also perform during Canada Day.”

He was in Canada when he learned about the singing search on the Kapamilya network. He wasted no time flying back to Manila to audition, hoping to get a spot and realize his dream to be a singing star.

“When I got eliminated, I told myself to continue because maybe that’s not for me until fate led me to be an Asian Artists talent. Naglakas-loob akong magpresinta ng sarili ko (laughs). I’m happy where I am now.”

Gab, on the other hand, was a member of a dance troupe in his school in Quezon City. They were supposed to join in a dance contest in Sydney then but the group lacked in funds. Gab had no money for an airfare. “It was my team captain who suggested to me that I audition in Pinoy Boyband para kung manalo, may pang ticket na ako,” Gab says.

He continues, “Hilig ko na din dati pa yung pagkanta lalo na mga songs of One Direction. My parents are good singers, they were both choir members before they got married. My father is now working in Australia but until now he has yet to find a regular job there.”

Since Gab and Miko constantly meet to do covers at the latter’s place and both are talented, becoming a duo became a natural progression. Their voices blend perfectly well and they have excellent rapport. Miko and Gab have a debut single Hugot, released by Star Music. Hugot is now being played on MOR 101.9. Soon it will be released on Spotify and iTunes. Also forthcoming is a music video of the song, Hugot. Miko and Gab are also slated to do a campus tour and will be guesting in mall shows of Star Music.

“Hugot is about anything that can make you smile,” relates the 21-year-old Miko who already gained over 20,000 followers on Instagram. “Ito yung mga hugot lines na dinaan sa kanta.”

Miko, too, already has fans, the Mikonatics, who share their happiness over Miko and Gab’s recording debut.

“We both love pop and R&B. So expect us to be doing more of those kinds in the future,” says Gab.

Chris Brown, Justin Bieber, Backstreet Boys, N’sync and One Direction are on the list of Miko and Gab as their musical influences.

Miko also admires his brother Anton who composed Hugot, and Song for Marawi, a musical piece dedicated to the people of the war-ravaged city in Mindanao. The song is set to be performed by Kapamilya artists, including Miko and Gab. “Of course, we are proud to be singing alongside Kapamilya artists,” adds Miko.

For inquiries, e-mail [email protected] or call tel. nos. 405-4423 or 855-4765.