When you’re young, playing at your college prom feels like the peak of the dream. You set up, strum a few chords, the crowd yells, and for one brief, glorious moment—you’re somebody. But for LunarLights, that moment didn’t end when the lights dimmed and the decorations came down. It was just the start of a decade-long ride under the neon skies of the Philippine indie music scene.

The year was 2012. Three college musicians—Eron, Mav, and Rocky—came from completely different genres. Ska. Metal. Alternative. On paper, they shouldn’t have worked. But the first time they jammed, something clicked. “Parang may chemistry, ang dali namin magtugma kahit magkakaibang genre namin,” Eron recalls. It wasn’t long before they started playing outside school, and soon after, they found themselves onstage at the Singkaban Festival, catching the attention of Sir Trix Parco—a pivotal moment that catapulted them into a world beyond university gigs and barkada jams.

That world would eventually know them as LunarLights, a name born from a stargazing session and a shared love for Angels & Airwaves, UFOs, and anything vaguely cosmic. The band’s original name, The Sky Parade, had to be shelved when they realized it was already taken. “Di ko na maalala paano naging LunarLights yung dating Lunar Flight,” Eron laughs. It’s that kind of organic chaos—accidental, spontaneous, weirdly perfect—that defines the band.

Medyo Pop-Punk? Medyo Iconic.

Ask anyone in the scene what genre LunarLights plays and you’ll probably get a shrug followed by a smile. Even the band doesn’t pin themselves down. “May nagtweet dati na tama raw yung term na ‘medyo pop-punk’ para i-describe yung tugtugan namin,” Joms shares. It’s a hybrid sound—half catchy hooks, half teenage angst, all heart—that resists easy labeling. And they like it that way.

From space rock beginnings (thanks again to their Angels & Airwaves obsession), their sound evolved along with the lineup. Members came and went, and each change left its own sonic footprint. “Mas naging solid, mas naging tight,” Eron says of their current direction. Think Blink-182 with just a dash of Rico Blanco, then run it through the lens of Filipino storytelling, and you’re close—but still not quite there.

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Writing Songs, Building Worlds

Their writing process is as collaborative as their sound. Joms usually comes in with the skeleton of a song. Then the rest of the band tears it apart and puts it back together again. “Lapag-lapag kami ng ideas hanggang mabuo yung kanta,” says Eron. There’s no formula, no drama—just a lot of music and even more laughter.

Their producer sometimes steps in with ideas during studio sessions, but the final product is always unmistakably LunarLights. It’s a balance between freedom and structure, creativity and compromise. “May say ang lahat kung may iimprove pa yung kanta,” Joms adds. And no, walang tampuhan. Not even close.

If you’ve never heard a LunarLights song before, the band suggests a few key tracks. Eron says “Restart” is the one, especially for listeners dealing with life’s many curveballs. “Perfect siya sa mga nag sstruggle ngayon,” he adds. Peter votes for “TYT,” praising its catchy nature and emotional relatability. And Joms? “Kay Dalas.” For him, it defines the band’s signature medyo pop-punk sound, layered and fun, especially when performed live.

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Band Dynamics, On and Off Stage

Backstage, LunarLights isn’t a band—it’s a barkada. Everyone has a role. Eron calls Migs the silent killer, while Peter proudly claims the title of pabibo—“Pinaka maingay at komedyante sa banda!” It’s clear they’re not just bandmates but people who actually like being around each other. And that’s not always a given in this business.

How do they keep the spark alive after more than a decade? “Napipilitan na lang kami sa isa’t isa. Char!” Eron jokes. But the real answer comes from Peter: “Respeto at supportahan lang namin sa isa’t isa.” They value input, accept suggestions, and understand that creativity thrives in community, not competition.

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Indie, But Never Invisible

In a country where musical talent often gets lost in the algorithm, being an indie band means living with uncertainty—and still choosing to create anyway. “Mas madali ngayon sa songwriting kasi malaya ka,” Eron says. But Peter adds nuance: “Mahirap siya in terms na di mo alam kung pano ipaparating sa ibang tao yung mga kanta mo.” It’s a double-edged sword. Yes, they’re free to write whatever they want—but reaching people? That’s a whole different game.

Still, the milestones matter. Being featured in Spotify’s RADAR, releasing their first album, playing on big stages with crowds in the thousands—each one a badge of honor. “Dun pa lang yata nasabi ko na yung ‘we made it’,” Peter shares.

For Joms, the dream is even bigger: “Kapag nagkaroon kami ng kahit isang hit song…yung kanta na maririnig mo kahit saan, tapos madadala kami kahit saan.” He imagines telling his future kid: “Anak, dahil sa kanta na ‘yan nabili natin ‘tong bahay!”—a fantasy, sure, but also a future that feels just one song away.

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From Janella Salvador to Alien Collabs

As for dream collaborations? The answers are as delightfully unpredictable as the band itself. Eron drops Janella Salvador with a straight face. Peter, ever the wildcard, suggests a collab with Skusta Clee or Flow G, injecting rap into their signature sound. And honestly? That might just work. LunarLights has always been about the unexpected.

At the heart of it all is a simple message: “Life is beautiful. Music is life. Enjoy niyo lang!” Eron says. Peter echoes this sentiment: “Enjoy lang gawin yung mga bagay na magpapasaya sayo.” And Joms? “Enjoy every moment.” No pretensions. No grand philosophies. Just joy—and maybe a guitar solo or two.

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Who They Are Today, and Who They Want to Be

So, who is LunarLights in 2025?

The answer is refreshingly consistent: “LunarLights pa rin siguro,” says Eron.

Peter agrees, adding that the band saved him at a time when he was ready to give up on music. And Joms, ever the dreamer, puts it this way: “A band trying the best—hopefully tomorrow we become one of the best.”

It’s that blend of humility and ambition that sets them apart. They’re not chasing clout or gimmicks. They’re just six guys who started in a college gymnasium and ended up under actual stage lights. Not bad for a band that once considered calling themselves The Sky Parade.