From Coachella to Lollapalooza, the Baguio-based pop rock band Cup of Joe is setting its sights on performing at some of the world’s most prominent arts and music festivals.
“Coachella is part of our dream, as well as Summer Sonic, Lollapalooza and Glastonbury,” lead vocalist Gian Bernardino told The STAR during a press huddle at the “Tang Refreshing Rave” event held at San Juan Beach Front in La Union last Friday. He then quipped, “All of the world stages (and) festivals like Bangus Festival, world-class din yun kahit Dagupan. Let’s make it world-class.”
Formed in 2018 during their senior year in Baguio, the group has come a long way and is now set to mount its fourth major concert on May 23 with “SANDALI: The Cup of Joe Festival” at the Philippine Sports Stadium.
The Multo hitmakers will also make history as the first Original Pilipino Music (OPM) act to headline a solo concert at the stadium.
Looking back on their modest beginnings, Gian recalled how, as a child, he would drink Tang at home while watching his music idols perform on television.
“I started envisioning myself as a pop star in the future. I would watch Sarah G, Yeng Constantino and Celine Dion. Magbigay tayo ng isang lalaki, si Gary V (also). Ever since, I got hooked on the idea of performing in front of a big crowd,” he said.
“I also joined singing contests. It was really my fantasy to perform in front of so many people, and I guess I never gave up on that dream. That’s why the universe led me to meeting these four of these guys,” he added, referring to his bandmates.
On the other hand, the sight of his uncle strumming a guitar would later spark guitarist CJ Fernandez’s interest in the instrument. “I wanted to learn and it became my hobby until I met my bandmates. Before we met, I also got inspired nung makita sa school yung nag-pe-perform. Part of me was craving that moment, to perform in front of many people. I just tried to join a band until I met them. The rest is history.”
Vocalist Raphaell likewise shared that his fascination with music began early, heavily influenced by his father.
“I listened to Queen and The Beatles, joined contests, but it wasn’t until I met my bandmates that the idea of entering the music industry really came in. I never imagined myself doing it in my life. But because of them, my horizons broadened and I realized this is something I can do and I enjoyed doing it,” he shared.
Beachside gig in La Union: A dream come true
In La Union, fans and beachgoers were greeted by a picturesque sunset, rolling waves, live music, free-flowing Tang mixes and interactive activities. The evening’s highlight was, of course, the performance of Cup of Joe, whose music delighted the crowd.
For the band, staging a beachside gig in an open-air setting was a dream come true.
“Actually, this place is special because I remember last year, may iyakan moments pa tayo. This is where CJ and Rapha celebrated their birthdays,” Gian told this paper. “They rented a beachfront place. Nung nag-speech sila, CJ said, ahhahaha… That’s when we realized that we get to spoil ourselves with those kinds of celebrations.”
“Unlike in high school na nag-sio-siomai lang kami sa labas and then we reached a point na nakaka-rent sila ng isang buong bahay. It’s very special to us and it’s really been our dream to have a beachside gig here in La Union. It’s another dream come true,” he added.
‘Real, unfiltered moments with Cup of Joe’
The La Union event was part of the brand’s “Get Refreshingly Real with Tang” campaign.
Senior category marketing manager for Tang, Mondelez International Philippines Karol Canlas-Apelo remarked that the campaign is “all about celebrating real, unfiltered moments.”
“And with Cup of Joe, we appreciate how they recognize their journey from being a Baguio-based band to who they are now, top-selling and most-streamed artists. They are unapologetic to recognize their struggles nung nag-uumpisa sila,” she continued.
“And now that they have gained a massive following, we also recognize na proud sila na from Baguio sila, from their province here in the North. And of course, lahat ay namu-multo ng kanilang mga kanta. So, some of our Gen Z, ang pag-e-express nila ng kanilang refreshingly real self (is) through their songs. So, what perfect way to represent what the campaign is all about, which is celebrating what’s real and the shared music, the unfiltered moment for the band that embodies all of that. They’re really the perfect fit.”
Marketing director of Mondelez International Philippines Adrian Manlapig shared that the drink mix brand “has always been part of everyday moments, but today, we’re embracing a more purposeful role — one that champions self-expression, authenticity and real-life connection.”
Through the event in La Union, they are “creating spaces where people can come together, connect and simply be themselves.”