Cup of Joe’s Cebu concert evokes ‘Silakbo’ of emotions among fans
CEBU, Philippines — It took six years for Cup of Joe to finally release their debut album – a full body of work that showcases the band’s artistry beyond their hit singles like “Tingin” and “Misteryoso.
True to their introspective and relatable songwriting, the album is titled “Silakbo,” the Tagalog word for frenzy. A definition on Google describes “frenzy” as “a state or period of uncontrolled excitement or wild behavior.” However, a mental health advocacy group offers a more fitting interpretation, defining “silakbo” as “an outburst of emotions that demands to be felt.”
Released in January under Viva Records with “Multo” as its lead single, the album is conceptually structured around Swiss-American psychiatrist Elisabeth Kübler-Ross’ well-known “five stages of grief.”
“‘Silakbo’ is a narrative of our pain and healing. In creating it, we aimed to be as honest and direct as possible. It’s us finally bringing unspoken emotions and experiences to light,” the band explained in a social media post.
Their ongoing concert tour brings this concept to life in a more visual and immersive way, allowing them to share their inner thoughts and emotions with fans who deeply relate to their music.
The “Silakbo Concert Tour” kicked off in February at the Araneta Coliseum, followed by their first stop outside Metro Manila, which was in Davao early in March. Cebu City served as the third stop, with the band performing at the IEC Convention Center on March 29.
The show is divided into three main acts. It opens with “Bagyo,” “Wag Na Lang,” and “Patutunguhan,” setting the tone before transitioning to sentimental tracks like “Kanilang Mata,” “Bubog,” and “Pahina.” The first set closes on a high note with the upbeat “Estranghero.”
The second act takes a lighter turn as the band, split into sub-groups, performs covers – a callback to their early days as a school band.
With a colorful pop-rock vibe, “Pink Soda,” led by vocalist Raphael Ridao and guitarist Gab Fernandez, delivered renditions of 5 Seconds of Summer’s “Heartbreak Girl” and “She Looks So Perfect.”
Meanwhile, Gian Bernardino, Xen Gareza, and CJ Fernandez took the stage as “Pink Penoy Club,” performing Eraserheads classics like “Alapaap,” “Pare Ko,” and “Ang Huling El Bimbo,” with Bernardino sporting a Chappell Roan-inspired cowboy look.
Reuniting as a full group, they continued the show’s high-energy streak with some of their biggest hits, including “Misteryoso” and “Tingin.” Bernardino an Ridao also made their way to two B-stages, where fans eagerly gathered to get closer to them.
Guests joined the band during their Cebu leg, including Keanna Mag, who performed “Lahat ng Bukas.” Cebuana singer and Star Magic talent Sheena Belarmino also took the stage, stepping in for Janine Teñoso as Cup of Joe’s duet partner for “Tingin.”
The final act brings the concert back to its sentimental core, with performances of “Multo,” “Nag-iisang Muli,” and “Sagada,” encapsulating the album’s themes of heartbreak and healing. The show officially ends with the title track “Silakbo,” before an encore performance of “Manatili.”
Throughout the two-and-a-half-hour show, the band’s K-pop-influenced outfits stood out. While their vibrant sartorial choices might seem at odds with the concert’s nostalgic and sentimental themes, they actually enhanced the members’ stage presence and aligned with the album’s visual identity.
This influence isn’t surprising, given their close ties to P-pop groups such as SB19 and BINI. Notably, SB19’s Justin directed the music video for “Misteryoso,” while BINI’s Jhoanna co-starred in it.
Some fans were also seen holding lightsticks from various K-pop and P-pop groups, with one notably waving a BINI lightstick in the SVIP section.
Beyond their performances, the band’s humor was on full display. Bernardino also recalled their excitement upon arriving in Cebu, where they learned they had become the most-streamed OPM artist on Spotify Philippines – an achievement they credited to their dedicated fans.
While the Cebu show could have benefited from better audio equipment due to the venue’s low acoustics (at times, the fans’ cheers overpowered the band), their concert tour proved why Cup of Joe deserves its place at the top.
With deeply relatable lyrics – so much so that a few fans could be heard sobbing during some of the emotional songs – the band successfully translated their album’s concept to the stage, blending raw sentimentality with upbeat covers and hits for a well-balanced, memorable experience. Their chemistry as a band also shines through, strengthening their connection with the audience.
Without a doubt, their fans (affectionately called Joewahs) and casual listeners are eager to see Cup of Joe perform again. — (FREEMAN)
- Latest
