Pinoy Dream Academy (PDA) Season 1 scholar and fourth placer Mariangela Soleil "Panky" Trinidad is enjoying her love of music through her new band called Version 4.0.
In an exclusive interview with PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) during the
band's rehearsals and performance at the Hard Rock Café, Makati last week,
Panky shared that she enjoys what she's doing now more than ever. "Ito kasi ‘yong gusto kong gawin talaga, ang
magbanda at tumugtog, kaya sobrang exciting para sa akin," she said. "Parang
nalungkot lang ako kasi medyo matagal akong nawala, tapos maraming nagtatanong
kung nasaan na ako ngayon at anong pinagkakaabalahan ko."
POST-PDA PANKY. The tough-looking 23-year-old last performed with some of her PDA batchmates in the band Cebalo, which did a remake of the song "Pinoy Ako" (originally recorded by Orange & Lemons) for Pinoy Big Brother's Season 2 two years ago. She has been a guest in ABS-CBN's TV variety show ASAP and some talk shows here and there. "Madalang lang talaga ‘yong mga project, usually, mall and out-of-town shows. So ‘yong mga nakakaita sa akin, ‘yong mga nandun lang sa pinupuntahan namin."
Last year, Panky represented the Philippines at the World Championships of
Performing Arts (WCOPA) senior division in Los Angeles, California, U.S.A. and
went on to win four medals: a gold each for the Female Vocal R&B/Soul/Jazz
and the Female Vocal Rock categories, a silver for the Female Vocal Broadway
and a bronze for the Female Vocal Pop category. She was also cited as the
Champion of the World for the Vocal R&B/Soul/Jazz in her category.
It is through her stint in the said competition that she approached
entertainment industry icon Kitchie Benedicto (known by her initials KB), who
owns KB Entertainment Unlimited, Inc.
"Kilala kasi ng mommy ko si Tita
Kitchie, who is quite popular naman talaga. E, nag-usap-usap kami ni Tita and
her staff at that time while competing. It so happened also na ako pala ‘yong
favorite ni Ate Tin-tin (Christine Rosales, KB's daughter and KB Entertainment
president) sa PDA. So, ako mismo ang lumapit sa kanya and I asked, ‘Tita,
puwede n'yo po ba akong i-manage?' Sabi niya, ‘Why not?' So, natuwa naman ako,"
narrated Panky. And it was a smoothly done deal.
KB Entertainment co-manages Panky with ABS-CBN's Star Magic.
VERSION 4.0 NOW; SOLOIST PANKY LATER. Aside from Panky, Dex de Rosa (also a former WCOPA participant), Jem Marquez (member of The Siblings, who won the grand prize in the now-defunct Fam Jam! talent search aired on QTV11 a few years ago, and also competed in WCOPA), and Jaylee Orpiano comprise the band Version 4.0.
"Actually, we already performed as a group in September last year, at the
Temecula Valley International Film and Music Festival in the U.S., pero wala pa
talagang formality ‘yon. Bago lang talaga kaming nagsimulang mag-gig dito sa
Manila, first week of July this year lang. So, kumbaga, ‘baby' pa lang ‘yong band,"
Panky said of how Version 4.0 came to be.
Why did they pick this name for their band?
"We're like the ‘now' band. Parang ‘bago' ang dating, ‘di ba?" she replied. "At
gusto kasi naming i-project na astig talaga ‘yong band namin. We can perform
for different age groups, and hopefully, all the audience that we perform to
can very well say, ‘Ang galing nitong bandang ‘to. Okay sila!'"
Version 4.0's repertoire covers of various genres, spanning the ‘70s, ‘80s,
‘90s up to the latest hits.
"Actually, inaayon din kasi namin sa venue na tinutugtugan namin. Like for this
month, since sa Hard Rock Café kami, we play mostly upbeat tunes, ‘yong
mapapaindak ang mga tao. Rock ‘n roll pero hindi masakit sa tenga. Something
like pop-rock. Kaunti lang ‘yong slow songs," Panky said. "We get to chose our
own songs, those that we like to sing. We both sing solo and as a group."
For now, the newly formed band does covers of classic and current hit tunes
while preparing for upcoming gigs and a possible recording project.
"Nag-iipon pa kami ng pondo and materials. Hopefully, ‘pag nag-take off na talaga ‘yung banda namin, we can release an album," she enthuses. "As a solo artist naman, I should say na marami na akong mga material na naisulat. I'm just waiting for the right time. Naniniwala kasi ako na hindi lahat ng bagay ay minamadali. There's what we call timing. Kung sabihin man nila sa akin na, ‘Maglabas ka na ng album, puwede na,' I'll be more than glad to do so. Pero, I don't think now is it, kasi parang ine-establish ko pa lang ulit ang sarili ko sa public."
Panky revealed that she and her handlers are working on a music video of one of
her original compositions, which is slated to debut within this year in the
recently launched Channel V Philippines Channel 25.
If given the chance by her management to collaborate with a Pinoy music icon or
an established recording artist, Panky was quick to name Sampaguita as her top
pick.
"Gustung gusto ko siyang makatrabaho talaga. Kung hindi man siya, si Cowboy or
Juan de la Cruz Band, ‘yung mga institusyon na sa Pinoy rock ‘n roll," said
Panky. "Lumaki kasi ako sa music nila. At saka bata pa lang ako, alam ko na
kung ano ang gusto ko: ang maging rocker! Noon pa man, alam ko nang magbabanda
ako, which I'm fulfilling right now, and I'm happy about it, sobra."
MESSAGE FOR FANS AND SUPPORTERS. On days without gigs or shows, Panky hangs out with friends, most of whom also play in their respective bands. "Pinapanood ko rin sila when they perform. Kumakain din kami kung saan-saan, food trip... We go to Tagaytay or Antipolo, play billiards. Ganun lang, pure, clean fun and bigayan at suklian ng support," she said, stressing that she doesn't drink.
With her enthusiastic resurgence in the music scene, Panky cannot thank her
fans enough for their loyalty and support.
"Sa lahat ng mga Pankysta (her fans' monicker), sobrang thank you, thank you,
thank you kasi kahit saan ako napunta, nandyan pa rin kayo. Through ups and
downs, hindi n'yo ako pinabayaan. Kung wala kayo, siguro wala na rin ako sa
eksena, as in wala na talaga," concluded Panky, as she invited everyone to
watch their weekly gig. "Manood kayo para happy tayong lahat."
Version 4.0 plays on all Wednesdays of August, from 9:30 p.m. onwards at the Hard Rock Café in Glorietta 3, Makati City.