Ben&Ben is a folk-pop band based in the Philippines. Formed in 2017, the band has since been known for their hit songs, "Kathang Isip," “Maybe The Night”, “Leaves”, “Paninindigan Kita”, “Araw-Araw”, and "Sa Susunod Na Habangbuhay" among others. They have been named Spotify's Most Streamed Artist in 2020 in the Philippines, and Most Streamed Filipino Artist from 2021 to 2022.
The nine-piece musical act has won several awards, including multiple Awit Awards, Myx Awards, Wish 107.5 Music Awards, and an NME Award for Best Asian Band.
Band members
Current members
Paolo Benjamin Guico – lead vocals, acoustic guitar
Miguel Benjamin Guico – lead vocals, acoustic guitar
Poch Barretto – lead guitar, backing vocals
Jam Villanueva – drums
Agnes Reoma – bass
Andrew De Pano – percussion, backing vocals
Toni Muñoz – percussion, lead and backing vocals
Keifer Cabugao – violin, backing vocals
Patricia Lasaten – keyboards
History
2016 - 2017: The First EP
Prior to the formation of the band, twins Paolo Benjamin and Miguel Benjamin were a duo called “The Benjamins.” They were engineering majors at De La Salle University before deciding to become full-time musicians after finishing their thesis in 2015. Before the release of the first EP in 2016, the duo changed their name to Ben&Ben. The two brothers met all the current members of the band while playing shows around Metro Manila. They then invited each of them to play for their EP launch in December 2016. It was only on May 10, 2017, that the group officially became a nine-piece band.
2018: Soundtracks and Music Festivals
In 2018, the band rose to fame with their music being included in soundtracks for popular Filipino films. Their song “Susi” was heard in the film Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral and “Maybe The Night,” became the soundtrack of Exes Baggage. The band was also part of Coke Studio Homecoming Season 2.
The band participated in some of their first local-international music festivals in 2018. They were a part of Karpos Multimedia's Wanderland Music and Arts Festival and The Rest is Noise's All Of The Noise among many. This year also saw the beginning of the band performing for audiences beyond Metro Manila, all over their home country, the Philippines.
2019: First album: Limasawa Street
Debut album: Limasawa Street
After gaining a few hit singles like “Kathang Isip”, “Leaves”, “Ride Home,” and “Maybe The Night,” the band announced that they’d be releasing an album by May 2019. Their debut album “Limasawa Street” is derived from the Butuanon word “masawa” meaning light. The album gamed multiple recognitions including Awit Award for Favorite Album of the Year.
In the same year, the band dabbled in a bit of acting. They acted as themselves in the 2019 music film LSS (Last Song Syndrome) alongside Gabbi Garcia and Khalil Ramos. 10 of the band's songs were featured in the film. The said film was part of the Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino. Their song “Araw-Araw” won Best Original Song for the film festival.
2020: Concerts and Charity Events
Ben&Ben, together with Sony Music artists like Eric Chou, Benjamin Kheng, Jason Chan and Cath Wong, took part in a regional collaboration expressing solidarity and support by those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. All proceeds of the song were donated to relief efforts by Han Hong Love Charity Foundation.
The band was set to perform in several international music festivals in 2020 including South by South West. All these engagements were officially canceled when the world closed down due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Early in the lockdown, the band held an online concert “Puhon!” (Bisaya: Hopefully) to raise funds for the COVID-19 relief efforts. The funds were also aimed at providing support for medical frontliners. Through their crowdfunding platform puhon.ph, Ben&Ben was able to bring people together to combat COVID-19 in the Philippines by providing a timely and coordinated response to affected communities. The band and their partners were able to donate more than Php 5 Million (USD 90,000) to COVID relief efforts.
In the same year, the band put up a second online charity concert. “Balik Eskwela: Puhon Part 2” was aimed at supporting students and teachers who are left with limited to no ability to adapt to the changes implemented in the Philippine education system.