Some bands are born out of the chaos of the underground scene. Others, from childhood friendships or neighborhood hangouts. But for Soñado, it all started with a quiet lunch break and two young dreamers—one writing lyrics, the other dreaming of singing on stage. And what began as a class project between a drummer and a vocalist blossomed into something bigger than either of them could have imagined: a shared dream, now turned into a living, breathing band.
From Sweet Chilli to Soñado
“Ang pangalan talaga namin dati, Sweetchilli,” one of the band members shares in the interview, laughing. “Kasi ‘yun ang treat samin ng club adviser namin after practice.”
It’s such a charming origin story—naalala mo ‘yung mga panahong libre lang ang softdrinks and fries after school gigs? But as their musical journey started to evolve, so did their identity. One of them paused and asked: Paano nga ba tayo nagsimula?
That question led to a realization: Soñado—a Spanish word that means “dreamed.” Because that’s exactly what this band is. A dream.
“Pinangarap nga pala namin ‘yung banda,” they said. “Isang magandang pangarap.”
Three Friends and a Dream
The band started as a trio—just a drummer, a vocalist (who’s also his girlfriend), and a fellow schoolmate on guitar. No bassist yet. No studio. Just the fire of a shared dream burning in the hallways of their school. Bit by bit, they grew. Through lunch breaks filled with scribbled lyrics and late-night messages exchanging chords, the band began to take form.
“Tatlo palang kami noon… lahat ng ito nagsimula sa salitang pangarap,” they recalled.
When asked how they write songs, they said they write from the gut—from heartbreaks, joy, and those little fleeting moments in life that most people ignore.
“Pag broken ako sinusulat ko nararamdaman ko… pag grateful ako sa partner ko sinusulat ko rin. Ganun kami eh, kasi mas maganda pag tunay na pakiramdam.”
First Gig Jitters
Their first performance was on March 30, 2023. A date they’ll never forget.
“First time namin eh, lahat kami baguhan. Hindi ganon kagalingan. Takot sa judgements, nahihiya—ang daming pakiramdam,” they said.
But when the last chord rang out and the lights dimmed, they felt something different. Their club adviser beamed with pride, and that was more than enough. It wasn’t about technical perfection. It was about showing up—about proving to themselves that the dream was real.
From Lunch Break Lyrics to Late Night Studios
Unlike most songwriting setups where bands jam together in a garage or studio, Soñado’s process is a bit more personal. The drummer writes alone—usually during school lunch breaks—then brings the lyrics to the band. From there, everyone adds their piece.
“Usually ako lang nakakaisip sumulat kasi wala naman din ako ginagawa pag lunch break… tapos ipapakita ko sa kanila, mag-aambagan na kami.”
Their songs are stories from their lives—about friends, love, loss, the stress of school, and moments that just stick with you. Real feelings. Relatable emotions.
The Hard Part? The Tricycle Fare and Food Payments
While other bands talk about industry politics and pressure, Soñado keeps it grounded. When asked what the hardest part of being an indie band is, they gave a refreshingly honest answer.
“Wala pa masyado eh. Bata pa kami. Siguro yung gastos sa pamasahe sa studio—HAHAHA.”
Most of the time, they’re not even paid in cash.
“Kadalasan bayad samin foods and alak—masaya na kami dun. Mas masaya kasi pag masaya ang crowd.”
It’s that kind of passion and simplicity that makes you root for them. They’re not in it for the fame. They just want to play. To share. To dream.
When Everything Almost Fell Apart
Like any band, Soñado wasn’t immune to hard times. There was a moment when things got shaky—members started leaving, gigs were lined up, and they didn’t know if they’d make it through.
“Di ko alam anong gagawin ko noon,” they confessed. “Hanggang sa dumating si Aeross, kapatid ng girlfriend ko. Dun na ulit ako nagkaroon ng lakas ng loob.”
With the arrival of new members—including siblings and close friends—they pieced the band back together. And now? The lineup feels tighter than ever. Each person has a role, a place, a purpose.
Growing Up While Growing Together
Since that first performance, Soñado has grown—not just musically, but as people too. They’ve matured in their sound, learned how to handle nerves, and most importantly, learned how to keep showing up.
“Nag-go-grow kami kasi ineenjoy namin… at masaya kami na natutupad yung pinangarap naming banda.”
They don’t try to act like experts. They just keep trying. Keep dreaming.
From Local Stages to Big Dreams
When asked about dream gigs, their answers were humble but sincere. They want to open for Mayonnaise or Kamikazee—bands they grew up listening to. Their dream venue? Social House.
“Gusto namin mareach ang TF (talent fee), kasi medyo mahal na pamasahe at studio,” they laughed. But you can feel it—there’s hunger in their humor. These dreams don’t feel far off.
The 5-Year Plan: Keep Moving, Keep Dreaming
In five years, they hope to be playing gigs consistently, earning a decent TF, and sharing their music with more people.
“Di kami titigil sa pagpapakilala sa ibat ibang lugar. Gagalaw nalang kami.”
There’s no gimmick. No PR spin. Just movement.
If They Could Talk to Their Younger Selves
“Pagpatuloy mo lang mga gusto mo… mangarap ka lang ng mangarap, kasi ngayon unti-unti mo nang nakukuha.”
That’s the kind of advice you give when you’re starting to see the fruits of your labor. When the sleepless nights and unpaid gigs start to make sense. When you realize the dream didn’t just stay a dream—it became a plan.
What They Want You to Feel
Soñado isn’t trying to be the next big thing overnight. What they want is deeper.
“Yung meaning ng kanta. Yung mga advice tungkol sa pangarap. Inspired sana sila.”
They want listeners to feel something real. To be reminded that no matter how young or unsure you are, dreams have power. Especially when shared.
A Message to Aspiring Indie Artists
“‘Ibuhos at itanim mo muna sa ngayon, para pagdating ng panahon, may bunga at aanihin ka na.’”
Soñado is proof that with enough passion, the smallest seed of a dream can bloom into something beautiful. No manager, no big label, no viral hit—just faith, effort, and the willingness to play no matter what.
Their music might not be everywhere yet—but they’re not in a rush. Because for Soñado, the dream is already happening.
And they’re just getting started.
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