Why Parokya ni Edgar has lasted over 3 decades

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA—They came from all over Victoria in Australia. Fans of the band Parokya ni Edgar, headed to Williamstown Town Hall in Melbourne earlier this month for the first of four concert dates in Australia. They were there to be entertained by the raucous group famously known for never taking themselves too seriously.

Despite this, they have managed to build up a loyal fan base that knows the lyrics to all their songs and can sing along full throttle.

The full house in Melbourne, however, didn’t get the full experience as the band was told to keep the volume at 90 decibels since the venue—a renovated 1920s Greek Revival structure—was considered a heritage building. A level of 90 decibels is the equivalent of a lawnmower in use or a revving motorcycle.

The band’s tech crew had to keep adjusting the volume levels throughout the show, but it felt too limiting. Several times during the performance, bass guitarist Buwi Meneses had to stomp his boots on the wooden stage floor for emphasis.

“That was a learning experience for us. From now on, we will make sure to include in our rider that there should be no restrictions on decibel levels when we perform,” lead singer Chito Miranda told Entertainment after the concert.

“We always make it a point to play at our optimum level. I felt sad for those who paid to watch us in concert, but really happy that the audience was very appreciative,” he added.

The next day, the band flew to Brisbane in Queensland, two hours away from Melbourne for an open-air concert on the grounds of the Kingston Butter Factory. This time, they were able to perform at a level befitting their image and reputation.

Set list

Their set list played like a greatest hits collection. They opened with “Para Sa Yo” and followed it up with “Buloy,” “Silvertoes,” “Don’t Touch My Birdie” and “Maniwala Ka Sana.” Things slowed down a bit with “Gitara” and “Harana” before building up again with “Inuman Na” and “Alumni Homecoming.” The last two songs—“Your Song” and “Halaga”—had everyone singing along.

Interspersed between each song was the banter and antics of Chito and the band, as well as the playful interaction with the audience who stayed put even as the temperature dipped and it began to drizzle.

One of the highlights of this concert tour is when Chito selects three audience members to join him onstage to perform the songs, “Pangarap Lang Kita” and “Bagsakan” with him. The first is a duet originally sung with Yeng Constantino. The second is a dizzying rap track first performed by Chito with Gloc-9 and the late Francis Magalona. “The people we bring onstage aren’t prechosen. Sometimes, their friends will point them out to us so we choose them. Minsan OK, minsan sablay. It’s really hit or miss, but everything—really, all of it—is done in good fun,” Chito said.

Gung ho attitude

This gung ho attitude has served Parokya ni Edgar—formed in 1993—in good stead. While other bands have come and gone, they’re still at it 31 years later, performing on local and international stages, and making people laugh and sing along to the songs of their youth.

Buwi and his family migrated to the United States where he had to try on different hats. “Maintaining a day job just didn’t work for me,” he said. Now, he knows he wants to continue being in the entertainment industry.

For lead guitarist Darius Semana, a career in advertising might have been his calling. “I’d probably be working in the creative department of an ad agency. Kasabayan ko siguro yung mga classmates ko sa college na nasa creative pa rin,” he said.

Drummer Dindin Moreno said he might have studied to be a lawyer if the band hadn’t lasted this long, but he’s thankful it has. “It’s allowed me to provide for my family’s needs, my kids’ education,” Dindin said.

Rhythm guitarist Gab Chee Kee agrees. “Honestly, it’s fun. I get to travel, gain new experiences, and then get paid to do it. It’s an all-around win.”

Parokya ni Edgar has two more concerts lined up in Australia: Friday, Aug. 16 at Metro City in Perth, and Sunday, Aug. 18 at The Roadhouse in Sydney.