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Alamat (group)
Filipino boy band From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Alamat (Baybayin: ᜀᜎᜋᜆ᜔; transl. Legend) (stylized in all caps) is a Filipino boy band formed in 2020 by Viva Artists Agency and Ninuno Media. The group consists of six members: Taneo, Mo, Jao, Tomás, R-Ji and Alas. The members hail from different regions of the Philippines and sing in their own respective languages.[1]
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Name
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"Alamat" translates to "legend" in English. Their creative director, Jason Paul Laxamana, came up with the name. In an interview with The Beat Asia, the members of Alamat explained, "Legends are stories passed down to the youth, sparking their imagination and preserving our cultural heritage. We aim to do the same in everything we do. Legends are also figures we look up to, and we aspire to be one of them someday."[2]
Fandom
Their fandom is called Magiliw, which means "affectionate" in English.[3][4]
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History
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Perspective
2020-2022: Formation, pre-debut activities, Pasulong
In May 2020, Viva Records and its subsidiary label, Ninuno Media, held auditions for a new P-Pop boy group.[5][6] According to Laxamana, proficiency in a Philippine language was a prerequisite in the application process, beyond just talent in singing or dancing. He stated that his team always envisioned Alamat as a multilingual boy group.[5] Prior to debuting, the group released covers of various songs, including "Tala" (lit. 'Star') and "Kilometro" (lit. 'Kilometer') by Sarah Geronimo and a multilingual rendition of "Wala Na Bang Pag-Ibig" (lit. 'Is There No Love Anymore') by Jaya, sung in each member's native language.[6] The members underwent intensive training for nine months, which encompassed singing, dancing, physical fitness, and personality development, before they officially debuted on February 14, 2021 with the single "Kbye". Their training continued for years, even after their debut.[7]
Alamat debuted with nine members: Taneo from Kalinga, Mo from Zambales, Jao from Pampanga, Kin from Quezon City, R-Ji from Eastern Samar, Valfer from Negros Occidental, Gami from Bohol, Tomas from Albay, and Alas from Davao City.[7] The group distinguished itself as a multilingual and multiethnic boy band that sang in seven Philippine languages: Bikolano, Cebuano, Hiligaynon, Ilocano, Kapampangan, Tagalog, and Waray-Waray.[8][9] A few weeks after "Kbye" was released, Alamat became the second P-Pop group to make it on Billboard's Next Big Sound chart after SB19, debuting at number two. Publications also regarded them as the fastest-rising Filipino act on the chart.[10][11] Shortly after the achievement was reported in the media, Kin officially left Alamat.[12]
The group released two more multilingual singles in 2021, "Kasmala" and "Porque" (lit. 'Why'). The latter is a cover of a song by the band UNiCA, formerly known as Maldita. Unlike "Kbye" and "Kasmala", the lyrics of "Porque" were in Tagalog and Chavacano, a Spanish-based creole language spoken in Zamboanga City.[13] On February 14, 2022, the group's first anniversary, Alamat released the uplifting single "ABKD"[a], which featured lyrics in Sambal, in addition to the languages that the group usually uses. Its music video premiered on February 22 and starred the Aeta actress Shella Mae Romualdo, alongside Aeta dancers.[14][15] Valfer and Gami officially left the group shortly afterwards.[12] On October 28, Alamat released their first extended play, Pasulong (lit. 'Forward'). The mini-album was released along with the single "Aswang"[b] on all digital streaming platforms.[16]
2023-present: Isapuso, solo concerts
On June 14, 2023, Alamat released the first single from their then-upcoming album Isapuso (lit. 'Take to Heart'), "Day and Night". The song used a mix of Cebuano, English, and Tagalog, and was co-written by Therese Villarante-Langit, a famed Vispop songwriter.[17][18] On November 3, Alamat released another single from the album, "Dagundong" (lit. 'Rumbling'). The following day, on November 4, the group released their first full-length album, Isapuso.[19]
Joey Dizon of Rappler gave Isapuso 3.5 stars out of 5. In his review, he described the album as a "well-crafted product" boasting "sonic urgency" and sophistication that was rather uncommon to P-pop. Dizon wrote, "Arguably, though the group made immediate waves with their first few singles and established themselves as a hardworking unit – with the completion of last year's Pasulong EP and a continuous live ethic – I find that Isapuso is a stronger, more focused release that can finally catch the attention of non-fans of the P-pop movement like myself[...]," and concluded that "these kids are definitely alright."[20]
On December 1, 2023, Alamat held their first solo concert, Dagundong, at the New Frontier Theater in Quezon City, Philippines.[21] In June 2024, they performed at the Mist Music Festival in Toronto, Canada.[22]
Alamat graced the cover of Metroscene Mag's November 2024 issue, modeling traditional Filipino garments reimagined by local designers.[23] On December 6, Alamat held their second solo concert, Ragasa (lit. 'Rush'), at the New Frontier Theater. At the concert, the group performed a new version of their debut song "Kbye", as well as an unreleased song called "Champorado"[c], among other numbers. Each member had a solo performance. At Ragasa, the group revealed the title of their upcoming second extended play, Destino (lit. 'Destination'), which is slated for a 2025 release.[24]
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Artistry
Alamat's music blends indigenous instruments such as kudyapi and kulintang with modern sounds.[25] Their choreography is also influenced by traditional dances, such as the Maranao dance singkil that inspired "Maharani".[26][27][28]
The group's outfits typically blend modern fashion with traditional elements from the many cultures of the Philippines.[25][26][29]
The members have written and produced many of their songs, including their debut single "Kbye". Mo has said that the song was the result of a "random and unplanned" jam session.[25][27]
Other ventures
Advocacy
The music video for the Alamat song "ABKD" condemned colorism and discrimination against the Aeta people, one of the Philippines' Indigenous groups. The video starred the young Aeta actress Shella Mae Romualdo and featured Aeta dancers.[14][15] In 2024, Alamat performed at the University of the Philippines' annual advocacy-focused fair. They performed on Tuesday and Saturday during the week-long fair, with advocacies on those days focusing on free education and Indigenous rights respectively.[30]
Jao has stated that Alamat aims to promote the Philippines' cultural diversity and multilingualism.[29] They have also expressed support for the LGBTQ community.[25]
Fashion
In October 2024, all of the Alamat members walked the runway at BYS Fashion Week 2024. They modeled upcycled pieces by Russell Villafuerte.[31] They also modeled Charlotte Folk's new streetwear offerings alongside Karina Bautista.[32]
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Members
Current
Former
- Kin (2020–21) – lead vocalist, visual
- Valfer (2020–22) – lead rapper, sub-vocalist
- Gami (2020–22) – main vocalist
Discography
Studio albums
Extended plays
Singles
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Filmography
Music videos
Television shows
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Concerts
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Awards and nominations
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Notes
- The title is read as "ah bah kah dah". These are the first four letters of the modern Filipino alphabet.
- The word "aswang" is an umbrella term for malevolent shapeshifting creatures in Philippine mythology, particularly Visayan mythology. The song's official music video simply uses the generic translation "monster" for the word.
- The title refers to a sweet chocolate rice porridge in Philippine cuisine.
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References
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