No ‘Rak of Aegis’ without Mercy Sunot’s voice for the ages
Kakai Bautista couldn’t have put it any better: “There would be no ‘Rak of Aegis’ without Aegis. And Aegis wouldn’t be Aegis without Mercy Sunot!”
For actors like her, and many others whose careers benefited from the phenomenal success of the jukebox musical “Rak of Aegis,” the unexpected death of Sunot—one of the iconic OPM rock band’s steely main vocalists—struck to the core.
Sunot, who hailed from Cagayan de Oro, died of multiple organ failure on Nov. 17 in California, where she had been undergoing treatment for Stage 4 breast and lung cancer for the past seven months. She was 48.
“‘Rak of Aegis’ brought me back to life. I feel very honored and grateful to have been able to sing and perform most of their songs in a musical,” Bautista, who played Mercy, told Lifestyle.
“Thank you for your life, Ate Mercy, one of the kindest, most humble people I have worked with,” she added. “Thank you for the kindness and inspiration.”
Produced by the Philippine Educational Theater Association (Peta), “Rak” is an original rock comedy musical that weaves the music of Aegis to tell a tale of Filipino resilience amid calamities both personal and environmental. And through its seven runs since 2014—plus, a virtual show during the pandemic—”Rak” has helped launch, revitalize, and expand some of its cast members’ careers.
“It gave most of its actors good careers, both in theater and show biz,” Jerald Napoles—whose performance as Tolits helped him break into mainstream entertainment—told Lifestyle.
Kim Molina (Aileen), who considers “Rak” one of her career catalysts, described Sunot as “a legend.” “Being cast in this musical paved the way for my career,” she said. “Thank you for your music, Ate Mercy. You will be missed dearly.”
Upon learning the tragic news, Molina found herself watching videos of her and Sunot performing together for a “Rak” digital concert in 2021. “It serves as a personal reminder on how Ate Mercy and Aegis influenced my life in general … Growing up in Saudi Arabia, I witnessed how Filipinos gathered to sing and listen to their songs,” she said.
Distinct sound
Formed in 1995, Aegis is known for its relatable ballads of love and heartbreak, like “Halik,” “Sinta,” and “Basang-Basa sa Ulan.” But what ultimately turned the hits into the pop culture gems that they are now was the dramatic, throat-busting delivery of Sunot and her sister Juliet, whose voices would come to define Aegis’ unmistakable sound.
While they both had power and stamina to reach impossibly high notes for hours on end, the quality that made Sunot’s voice special—and different from her sister’s brighter-sounding soprano—was its rich and husky tone. And with this inherent grit, Sunot wrapped “Luha”—her signature song—with layers of rage and desperation.
“Luha” is so popular, so technically challenging, and so emotionally demanding to perform that it has become an irresistible choice as a contest piece for aspiring singers. Poppert Bernadas (Kenny) was one of them.
“Ate Mercy and her music had a huge impact on me, because I even performed ‘Luha’ in the blind auditions round of ‘The Voice of the Philippines’ Season 2’ (2014),” he told Lifestyle. “Her powerful voice and its texture was just different. Nakatatak na talaga sa ating mga Pilipino.”
“Napakahusay! She was always charming to the crowd, too. She had a kind of humor all her own,” Bautista said. “I can’t imagine who else besides her and her sister Juliet can belt out their multi-octave songs!”
The actors had nothing but fond memories of working with Sunot, whose big voice was matched only by her big heart and … bold red lipstick.
Fun and sexy
“We met many times. And we always talked to each other in Bisaya,” said Bernadas, a Davaoeño. “But the most memorable one happened during the pandemic. I needed support from other artists for my online streaming and she answered my call.”
Bautista once did a show with Aegis in Hong Kong years ago and she was so surprised, she said, at how welcoming and accommodating everyone was even if she “was just a nobody.” “Kami ni Ate Mercy ang talagang laging nagkukulitan,” she said. “She was always warm, fun … and sexy!”
Aegis would also drop by Peta once in a while to watch “Rak” and mingle with the cast backstage. One time in 2014, they even shared the stage together.
“It was always fun chatting with them. Ms Mercy loved taking photos and she was the one who always initiated taking selfies or groufies,” Napoles said. “Another thing you immediately noticed was ‘yung pagiging ma-postura niya. ‘Yung red lipstick niya, laging pang-malakasan!”
In a statement, Aegis—also composed of Ken Sunot, Rey Abenoja, Stella Pabico, Rowena Adriano, and Vilma Goloviogo—said Sunot’s voice “brought comfort, joy and strength to many … and that her passion, warmth and unforgettable presence onstage will forever be in our hearts.”
And this rings true, from the artists inspired by Sunot’s voice, to the fans who have been watching her since her early days at local watering holes, and to the many Filipinos who automatically key in “Luha” in their riotous—at times heartbreak-laden—videoke sessions.
“I think the collaboration of the bravura and talent of Aegis and Philippine theater paved the way for more Filipino musicals,” Napoles said.
“Videoke life will never be the same without Aegis and Mercy Sunot,” Bautista said.
