After ten years of setting the stage for the biggest amateur rock competition in the Philippines, Red Horse Beer is extending its kick outside the rock and roll zone through its annual Muziklaban.
Aspiring local rock bands need not worry, though. The name “Muziklaban” will not be coined by the country’s leading extra strong beer for nothing. Muzik (for music) and Laban (for fight) will continue to be the breeding ground for promising rock groups, with more than 100 activation sites nationwide to be tapped by the Red Horse Beer marketing team in search of this year’s title holder.
On its 11th year, the word “laban” in Muziklaban has taken on a higher level and Pinoy rock legend Pepe Smith thinks the Red Horse Beer team is definitely hitting the right note. Now, the fight for stardom is up not just for his kind but for talents from extreme sports and the creative arts.
Three lifestyles that are immensely gaining popularity among the “astig” Filipino are extreme sports, tattoo design, and indie film making. Red Horse Beer is introducing these three components in this year’s Muziklaban to add to its rock music equity, making the annual event more legendary than ever.
The annual Muziklaban has been the springboard to the careers of the then struggling bands like from Manila like 18th issue (2002 winner), Fuseboxx (2003), Sunflower Day Camp (2004), Mayonnaise (2005) and from provinces like Hardboildeggz (2006) and Even (2008) from Baguio City and Gayuma from Batangas City (2007.
While every band’s dream is just to play and be heard, these champion bands have bagged more than they have wished for after romping off with the prestigious Muziklaban crown. Think of recording contracts and six to seven-figure cash prizes which, needless to say, are more than enough to give them the headstart in the competitive local rock music scene.
Now, joining Pepe Smith in proliferating the extra strong talent of the country’s pride are tattoo artist Ricky Sta. Ana, indie film director R.A. Rivera and BMX rider Armand Mariano. The three gurus will appear with Smith in the soon-to-be-aired Red Horse Beer TV commercial.
Along with Pepe Smith, the three endorsers will represent Red Horse Beer’s “Bago na ang Labanan” battlecry for 2009.
Red Horse Beer Muziklaban will kick-off simultaneously today, May 15, at the following venues: (1) Super 8 Parking Lot, Rosario, Pasig, (2) Service Road, Balibago, Angeles, (3) Robinsons Lipa, Batangas and (4) Rizal Park, Dumaguete.
Auditions for the Rock Challenge will begin on May. University organizations and band may contact Carla Diaz de Rivera (0917-962-1414 / 02-7181304) while amateur bands may get in touch with Rona Beano (0916-7095475 / 002-854-5578).
For the Tattoo Challenge, activities will be held on May 22 (White Beach, Puerta Galera), June 12 (Generator Bar, Panay Ave.) and on July 17 (Philippine Trading Center, Roxas Boulevard).
Meanwhile, Extreme Sports fanatics may take the challenge on May 30 (Starmall Parking, Las Pinas); SM San Fernando, Pampanga (July 25) and Sta. Lucia East Grand Mall Parking, Cainta (September 26).
For the Indie Film Challenge, see the Red Horse Beer team on July 31 (Mogwai, Cubao); August 14 (Saguijo, Makati); September 18 (Club Dredd, Eastwood, Libis); October 2 (6 Underground, Pearl Drive, Ortigas) and on October 23 (Mag:Net, Bonifacio High Street, Taguig).
Sali na! Tara na’t makipagrakrakan sa Muziklaban 2009!
