It’s 2022. The city is still shaking off the haze of lockdowns. Live music, once silenced, is crawling back into bars, clubs, and tiny backstreet venues. Somewhere in this slow-burn comeback, a few long-time friends—each from different bands that had gone quiet during the pandemic—look at each other and decide: “Tara. Buo-in na natin ’to.”

That’s how Ang Dating Don Juan was born.
No grand ceremony, no overly deep meaning behind the name (“Wala naman syang meaning. Sadyang yun lang talaga ang naisip namin,” they admit). Just a shared itch to make noise again. And noise, they did.

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From Hiatus to Hype

“Original pa naman lahat ng members,” says vocalist-guitarist Yuwi. The lineup has remained untouched since day one. They weren’t strangers thrown together by ads or scene matchmaking—they were already friends, just on different paths. When the gigs came back post-pandemic, the idea clicked. The plan wasn’t just to jam for nostalgia’s sake; it was to release songs and get back into the circuit.

Their first track as a band, “Parang Langit Na,” came together like a fresh breath after months indoors. “Bagong proseso para samin—halo ng aming mga inspirasyon, style, at kwento ng pag-ibig,” says Yuwi. As a pop-punk band, they wanted the energy high and the emotions right on the surface.

Musically, they pull from Belmont, The Story So Far, Neck Deep, and One Ok Rock—bands known for melodic precision and heartfelt delivery. “Sakanila kami kumukuha ng inspirasyon sa pagsusulat—inaaral namin kung paano nila binibigyan ng talino at detalye bawat parte ng kanta, at ina-apply namin sa sariling gawa,” Yuwi explains.

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Keeping It Together

In an industry where bands form and break apart with alarming frequency, Ang Dating Don Juan is still in its “honeymoon” phase. “Wala pa naman,” says Yuwi when asked if they’ve had near-breakups. “I think the band is still too young to have these kinds of problems.”

Bassist Rem puts it in more colorful terms: “Depende siguro kung ugod ugod na tapos di na kinakaya yung rayuma. haha.”

That doesn’t mean the grind isn’t real. Gigs mean long nights, heavy gear, and minimal sleep. “Sa live gigs, pagod at puyat ang kalaban parati,” Rem says. “On the gig itself, situational per venue pero nasusolve naman.”

Their songwriting process is currently anchored by Yuwi, who lays down the foundation before the rest of the band pitches in. But they’re not afraid to shake things up. “Balak daw magexperiment ng bagong songwriting process sa next album,” Rem teases.

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A Sound That Sticks

In a sea of local bands, they’ve carved a space with what lead guitarist Mat describes as “melodic guitar leads at energy ng kanta.” It’s an approach that mixes the catchiness of pop-punk with an edge sharp enough to cut through a crowded lineup.

Jovan, another member of the crew, adds that the dedication in the group keeps their sound tight: “Naging unique siguro kami dahil sa dedikasyon ni Mat. Di kami pwedeng tamarin—nakakahiya kung di namin matapatan yung ‘dedikasyon’ ni Mat. hahaha.”

That energy isn’t just about the music—it’s about the connection. “First, gusto namin maramdaman nila yung naramdaman rin namin when we listened to our favorite bands for the very first time,” says Yuwi. “Yung hype, yung eargasm, yung longing for a live show. Second, we want to connect with them on a deeper level… Moving forward, magrerelease kami ng mga kanta about how life fucks us up inside out.”

He promises the sophomore album will be “everybody’s life story.” A bold claim, but one that fits their mix of relatability and stage-burning confidence.

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Life on the Road (and Stage)

Right now, Ang Dating Don Juan is in the middle of their cheekily-titled album tour “Wag kang mag tour ka naman.” They’ve been posting updates on their page for fans who want to catch the next stop. The tour is more than just promotion—it’s a way of saying thanks.

“Syempre, punong puno ng pasasalamat dahil kung wala sila, wala rin naman kami sa eksena na kung nasaan man kami ngayon,” says Yuwi. “Babawi nalang kami sakanila sa pagtugtog namin ng malupit sa bawat shows!”

That gratitude also pushes them to play with full force, no matter the crowd size. Whether it’s a cramped underground space or a bigger festival slot, they treat it with the same level of energy. “Babawi kami sa kanila sa bawat gig,” Mat echoes.

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The Next Chapter

The band isn’t slowing down. Aside from the ongoing tour, they’ve hinted at a collaboration with a “very special guest.” No details yet—just enough to get fans speculating. “May niluluto kaming collab… abangan!!” Mat grins.

Jovan backs this up, mentioning that a new release is already in the works alongside the collab. “Abangan nyo na lang,” he says, almost daring fans to keep an eye out.

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Why the Name Works

Some band names come with backstories, metaphors, or deep personal connections. Ang Dating Don Juan? Not so much. “Wala naman syang meaning,” they admit. “Sadyang yun lang talaga ang naisip namin.”

Maybe that’s the charm—it’s not trying too hard. It’s memorable, easy to say, and just mysterious enough to make people ask about it. In a scene where image can overshadow substance, the band lets the music do most of the talking.

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In the Studio and Beyond

Recording sessions for the band are equal parts work and camaraderie. The group’s chemistry, built from years of friendship, makes it easy to throw ideas around without stepping on egos.

With Yuwi at the helm of songwriting, and everyone else throwing in riffs, fills, and vocal tweaks, each track becomes a group effort. For the next album, that process might shift—something they see as a natural evolution rather than a risk.

Experimentation is already baked into their DNA. As they mix influences from Western pop-punk to Japanese rock, the goal isn’t to mimic but to adapt. Belmont’s precise structures, TSSF’s lyrical grit, Neck Deep’s hooks, and One Ok Rock’s anthemic punch—all reimagined through their own experiences.

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Looking Ahead

If you’ve been following the band, you know the pace they’re keeping is relentless. Gigs, recording, touring—it’s all in motion. The challenge, especially for a relatively young band, is sustaining that momentum without burning out.

For Ang Dating Don Juan, the key seems to be staying grounded in why they started in the first place: the thrill of playing, the connection with the crowd, and the simple joy of making music with friends.

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Final Words to the Scene

Before wrapping up, they want the community to know they’re here to stay—and they’re here to keep delivering. “Babawi nalang kami sakanila sa pagtugtog namin ng malupit sa bawat shows,” says Yuwi again, as if it’s a promise stitched into the band’s ethos.

They’re not pretending to have all the answers, or to carry some grand mission statement. But in a post-pandemic local scene that’s still finding its rhythm, Ang Dating Don Juan is proof that sometimes, you don’t need a deep backstory or industry playbook. Sometimes, it’s enough to show up, plug in, and play like you mean it.

Because at the end of the night—when the lights fade, the gear’s packed, and the adrenaline settles—it’s the songs, the sweat, and the shared moments with the crowd that make a band worth remembering.

And for Ang Dating Don Juan, this is just the beginning.