Photo Courtesy of Saranggola Society
In today’s ever-evolving OPM indie scene, new voices continue to emerge with stories that resonate and sounds that feel both fresh and familiar. Among them is Saranggola Society, an up-and-coming band steadily making their mark through their heartfelt music and growing presence in the local gig circuit.
With a sound shaped by emotion, creativity, and the spirit of independence, Saranggola Society represents a new generation of Filipino artists carving their own path. Their music reflects not only personal experiences but also the shared stories of a community finding connection through sound.
In this edition of City Stories, we sit down with Saranggola Society to talk about their journey as a band, their inspirations, and what lies ahead as they continue to rise in the OPM indie landscape.
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If you want, I can also make a more edgy/Gen Z tone or a shorter intro for social posts.
Can you introduce yourself to our readers and share how the band was formed?
Hello, kami ang Saranggola Society, a retro alternative band from QC.We are Emil, Rhyss, Willy and D. We officially formed in 2025, though magkakakilala na kami since 2018. May plans na kami mag-banda as Saranggola Society as early as 2021, pero na-delay dahil sa work at studies.
After watching a Ben&Ben concert in December 2024, na-inspire kami to finally start. The next day nagkita kami to form the band, then spent the first half of 2025 in our home studio shaping our sound and finishing our EP, released on August 15, 2025.
What inspired the name “Saranggola Society,” and what does it represent for the band?
“Saranggola Society” is our metaphor for dreamers. A group of people lifting each other up. Like a kite, we aim to fly high but stay grounded.
It also reflects our sound: a contrast between smooth, breezy melodies and rock-inspired energy.It’s also a little bit of a homage to Apo Hiking Society, our Vocalist, Emil Grew up Listening to them as his parents were big fans of the band, and even nicknamed him“Boboy” when he was a little boy.
How would you describe your sound to someone hearing your music for the first time?
Our music is both nostalgic and new, vintage yet fresh, like a new friend you just met but feels like you’ve already known forever or a lover from a past life.
Who are some of your musical influences, both from the Philippine music scene and internationally?
Halo-halo talaga, we really lean into the idea of contrast, dahil even our influences contrasting din, both from Old and New, ranging from the Beatles to Ben&ben, Rivermaya to Munimuni, ofcourse there’s Apo hiking society and International indie bands like Hyukoh and FUR.
Your EP introduced your music to listeners. How did the idea for this project begin?
Nag-usap kami kung paano namin gustong ipakilala ang band sa public kung maglalabas ba muna ng singles o isang project agad. Dahil matagal na kaming may mga naipong kanta, napagdesisyunan naming mag-release na lang ng 4-song EP to kickstart our journey.
Can you tell us the story behind the song ? For our latest single “Sana’y Di Matapos Ang Gabi,”
Our songwriter Emil challenged himself to write a love song without using the words “mahal” or “mahal kita.” It started with the line “Hindi man natin abot ang langit, sa piling mo iyon na rin ’yon,” and the rest of the song flowed naturally.
We finished it in time to perform at a friend’s wedding in December 2025, which helped shape the theme of wanting the night and the dance to never end, while capturing the essence of that special moment.
What message or emotions were you hoping to convey with?
We wanted to capture the feeling of wanting a moment to last forever. Often, the most fleeting moments in life are the sweetest and most memorable, so our goal is to turn that feeling into a song, something that sounds like an emotion or a memory frozen in time.
The track has a strong title—what inspired the concept behind it?
The concept for the track was inspired by the title itself. Our songwriter Emil drew inspiration from a memorable Halloween party last November, where the phrase “Sana’y Di Matapos Ang Gabi” came to him. He challenged himself to craft a love song that expresses deep emotion without ever saying “I love you.”
How did the song come together during the songwriting process?
The song practically wrote itself, ganun lang talaga siguro minsanAs songwriters, when inspiration struck, it’s like having the muse guide you and you’re just being a conduit of the arts, there was no struggles and second-guessing, the first draft of the song was basically the final version already, all we needed was to arrange it in a band version.
What was the recording experience like while working on your debut EP?
Recording our debut EP was challenging but incredibly rewarding. Pushing to release a 4-track EP right away forced us to be creative within limits.
With limited funds and experience, we recorded mostly at home, except for the drums, which we tracked in a studio (shoutout Point Bee, and Sir JP Verona our Mix and Mastering Engineer). Working within these constraints helped us grow as musicians and brought us closer together as a band. The whole process took about four months and 25L of coffee.
How do the band members usually collaborate when creating new music?
Our collaboration is probably more streamlined than people might expect. By the time a song is presented to the band, the core idea, melody, lyrics, and structure is usually already quite solid. From there, our focus shifts to how we want to execute it together: shaping the arrangement, exploring textures, and deciding what emotions and imagery we want listeners to feel. In a way, it’s like the script of the story is already written, and we work on how to tell it in the most compelling way possible.
Our different backgrounds also shape the process. Willy and D both studied music in college, Will and Rhyss are active musicians in theatre productions, and Emil has a strong background in visual storytelling. These perspectives naturally influence how we approach sound, mood, and dynamics.
We usually meet three to four times a week after work, often staying up until 4 am refining arrangements, recording demos, or chasing new ideas. It’s exhausting at times, but it reflects how committed we are to bringing each song to life together.
What has been the most memorable live performance for Saranggola Society so far?
Our major release parties were all milestones, but the most memorable was for “Sana’y Di Matapos Ang Gabi” on March 7, when we also dropped our first music video. Sharing that moment with everyone who came to support us made it truly unforgettable.
How do you prepare as a band before going on stage for a show?
Before every show, we usually huddle to mentally prepare ourselves, usually kasi nakakalimutan namin ang sequence ng songs. We also took Lola Remedios before kahit di’ inuubo kase nakasanayan hehe…
The OPM indie scene continues to grow. How do you see Saranggola Society contributing to it?
As a new band in the indie scene, we’re inspired by the artists building unique communities through their music. We hope to contribute by creating our own little community, dare we say a “society” of dreamers connected through a shared love for our music and the inspiration it brings.
What challenges have you faced so far as an independent band?
Our biggest challenge has been managing time, since all four of us are working professionals with responsibilities outside the band. Coordinating rehearsals, recordings, and gigs can be tricky. But this challenge has also brought us closer, we often hold band retreats, spending a night planning, realigning our goals, and finding realistic ways to pursue our music careers together. It’s made our collaboration stronger and more intentional.
Outside of music, what inspires your creativity as artists?
Traveling is a big source of inspiration for us. Emil, Rhyss, and Willy love hitting the road on their motorcycles, while D often heads to Tagaytay and Batangas to unwind and reflect, kaso with the gas prices, baka wala muna masyado hahaha so… Beyond music, Rhyss and James are active in theatre, Emil is our visual artist, and D is the resident gamer. These experiences and hobbies bring fresh perspectives that spark ideas for our songs and stories
What kind of stories or themes do you want to explore in future songs?
In the future, we’d love to explore more stories about connections and the passage of time. especially those fleeting moments that leave a lasting impression. We want to highlight the beauty in everyday life and the mundane, creating music that listeners can emotionally connect with, whether it’s joyful, nostalgic, or reflective.
Are there any collaborations with other artists or bands that you would love to do someday?
As newcomers to the scene, we’re open to collaborations and constantly inspired by the artists we meet. Some dream collaborations for us would be with Clara Benin, Shanni, and Munimuni, we’re huge fans of their songwriting, the emotions and themes in their art and their musicalities deeply resonate with the band.
What are your goals for Saranggola Society in the next few years?
It’s at the heart of our band, reflected even in our very name. We want to build a community of dreamers connected through music, inspiring others to chase their own dreams. By pursuing our dreams ourselves and live it, such as performing on bigger stages, at festivals, and maybe even seeing our songs on karaoke machines hahaha. We hope to spark that same passion in others.
Lastly, what message would you like to share with your listeners and supporters of OPM?
To everyone who listens to our music (Sinulids), we hope you all know how deeply we appreciate you guys, sobrang solid sinulids ninyo. And everyone who supports OPM, realize that supporting OPM isn’t just about the artists; it’s about celebrating and preserving Filipino culture. Music shapes our identity, and by valuing OPM, we honor our language, heritage, and shared stories.
Stay connected with Saranggola Society and be part of their journey in the OPM indie scene.
Follow them by clicking the social media icons below and don’t miss their latest releases, gigs, and updates.
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