In the middle of Ibayo, Marilao in 2004, a group of skaters failed miserably at landing tricks. So what did they do instead?
They started a band.
No wild story, no lightning bolt moment — just a bunch of friends who swapped boards for instruments. And that’s how Ultimate Ube was born.
“Wala e, frustrated kami kasi ‘di kami makabuo ng tricks. Kaya nagbanda na lang kami,” the band shares through a casual, sometimes cheeky Google Doc interview. “Skateboard or die… pero parang mas okay palang tumugtog.”
Fast-forward two decades, Ultimate Ube is still playing — not just music, but the long game. With a lineup that now includes Arman Macarasig, Alvin Villasotto, Cyrus Malana, Aaron Manzano, Gian Silva, Lance Roxas, JD JD Oleriana Cruz, and Harrold Silva, the band continues to roll with the rhythm of life, proving that consistency — not virality — is the real flex.
A Flavor That Stuck
The name “Ultimate Ube” didn’t come from some deep metaphor. In fact, it came from a random mall sighting.
“Naglalakad si Arman, nakita niya ‘yung flavor ng waffle — ‘Ultimate Ube.’ Ang pangit daw ng lasa. Yun na ‘yun.”
No deep philosophy. Just the perfect blend of weird and memorable — much like the band itself.
When they started, their sound was punk-ish. “Yun kasi ‘yung pinaka madaling tugtugin,” they admit, laughing. But like any group of friends who grow up together, the music matured with them. Though their influences are scattered and eclectic, they’ve learned to fuse them through endless jam sessions and constant rehearsal.
The creative process?
“It always starts with an idea,” they say. Sometimes it’s the vibe, sometimes lyrics, sometimes melody. Arman usually writes the words, “kasi siya rin ang kakanta,” while Alvin pitches in. Cy drafts a melody. Then the rest comes together like a jam in a garage — messy, noisy, and sometimes magic.
Bomb Threats and Original Jokes
Their first gig was on July 15, 2004, at Arman’s school. It was supposed to happen a day earlier, but it got moved because the school received a bomb threat. Yes, you read that right.
“Puro original compositions ang tinugtog namin… lyrics na puro kalokohan.”
That sentence captures the band’s spirit perfectly. They’ve never taken themselves too seriously, but they’ve always been serious about having fun.
Real People, Real Stories
Behind the jokes and riffs, however, are real names and real moments.
Some of their lyrics mention actual people they know. “Mga kilala talaga namin,” they say. They don’t name-drop for attention. These are friends, exes, and maybe a few tambay legends immortalized in verses and lines.
Not every song is born from heartbreak or epiphany — sometimes, it’s just about that one tricycle driver in their barangay who always overcharges. Or that friend who never showed up to practice but had the nerve to claim credit. Ultimate Ube doesn’t romanticize the struggle. They sing about it.
And because writing songs takes time — sometimes a lot of time — the decision of what to release next is usually obvious. “Kung ano yung nagawa namin, yun na yun. Walang botohan.”
Pay-to-Play and Other War Stories
Like most indie bands, Ultimate Ube has scars from the scene. The pay-to-play gigs. The “last band” syndrome in 40-act lineups. The shows where the barangay tanod shut everything down before they could plug in.
“Ginagawa na lang naming good memory ‘yung mga bad gig na ‘yon. Pampakwentuhan pag nagkikita.”
Their challenges aren’t unique — it’s the classic indie combo: low funds, high passion. But what keeps them afloat isn’t some dream of superstardom. It’s the love for playing, the friends they’ve made, and the tiny wins that pile up over the years.
They also credit supportive families for keeping the dream realistic.
“Malaking bagay ‘yung support ng pamilya. Kaya kami tumagal.”
When Burnout Hits
“May burnout pace din kami,” they admit. And when it happens? They don’t force it. They take breaks, give each other space, and somehow always find their way back.
“Kasi in the end, hahanapin din talaga namin ‘yung tugtugan. Nasa sistema na namin eh.”
That’s not drama — that’s routine. After years of chasing venues, managing life and work, and figuring out rehearsal schedules that fit everyone’s 9-to-5s, the band has learned to ride the wave instead of fighting it.
From Listeners to Friends
You won’t find a fancy fan name like “UbeFam” here.
“Wala kaming tawag talaga sa kanila,” they say. “Pero karamihan sa nakikinig sa amin, nagiging kaibigan namin.”
That might be the most Ultimate Ube thing ever.
They answer comments when they can. They recognize familiar faces in shows. Their listeners aren’t just metrics — they’re people they might end up drinking with after a gig.
When asked how they feel about fans who deeply relate to their music, they simply reply:
“Happy :)”
Metallica, Kung Pwede Lang
When asked who they’d love to collaborate with — local or international — they didn’t hesitate:
“Metallica sana.”
You gotta love the confidence.
And why not? From skate-fails to stage-lights, this band has played long enough to earn the right to dream big. Even if it’s half-joke, half-serious, that kind of answer shows you where their head’s at — humble, but not afraid.
The Next Riff
Do they plan to release an album? Maybe tour?
The answer is somewhere between “maybe” and “depende kung may oras.”
They’re not rushing. They never have. What’s clear is that Ultimate Ube isn’t in it for the clout. They’re in it for the love of music, the friendships, the stupid in-jokes, the bomb-threat gig anniversaries, and the weird names that somehow stick.
And if there’s one piece of advice they’d give to new indie bands out there?
“Enjoy lang. At keep your day job.”
Because for Ultimate Ube, that balance is the secret sauce. They’ve lived through the gig droughts, the burnouts, the cancellations, and the quiet months where nothing seems to move. But somehow, they’re still here. Still jamming. Still weird. Still Ube.
Not for the fame. Not for the charts. But for the music, the mess, and the magic that happens when friends keep showing up — instruments in hand, stories in their heads, and zero pressure to land a perfect trick.
Skateboards may break. But some bands? They keep rolling.
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