Just as the pop-rock band, Siakol, became reborn with a new name, Repakol, the latter continues to render the original songs from 1994, since they became known in the local music industry.

That is not surprising since Repakol has been singing only their original songs, written mostly by their vocalist and songwriter, Noel Palomo.

Two decades after Noel left Siakol with fellow founding and original member, Anthony “Miniong” Cervantes, the band’s lead guitarist, the original and founding members formed new band called Repakol.

Joining Miniong and Noel in Repakol are Alvin Palomo and Wilbert Jimenez on guitar, Raz Itum on bass guitar and Zach Alcasid on drums.

When the band announced their US tour last December, the dates were finalized and the places were recently announced for their two-month concert.

The Repakol Tropa scheduled their 65-day North American concert tour starting on April 20 at Rams Head Live in Baltimore, Maryland; April 26 at 58 Manor in Woodside, New York; April 28 in Port n’ Starboard Ocean Front Banquet Center in New London, Connecticut;

May 11 at UR Coliseum in Walkerton, North Carolina; May 18 at Buko Resto-Bar in Virginia Beach, Virginia; May 24 at Patio Theater in Chicago, Illinois; and June 15 at Fox Theater in Redwood City, California.

“Nawala lang ang Canada,” Miniong informed. “Nabawasan ang schedule namin. Pero two months pa din kami mawawala. Tuloy na ang alis namin sa April 16.”

The last time Siakol did a US tour was in 2010, when they were still a four-member band. Now with Repakol, they promise the 2024 leg is simply the start of many tours.

Repakol members are constantly brainstorming and coming up with creative ideas to make their forthcoming US tour stand out from the rest.

With their unwavering dedication and hard work, the band is confident that their US tour will be a massive success. They are not just promoting a show, but a whole experience that music lovers will not want to miss.

Although Repakol is still awaiting the court decision regarding their case, the band refuses to be idle. They continue their gigs in the local front – fiestas, music festivals and out-of-town performances from Mindoro to Mindanao – before they embark on a US tour in April. They are also recording a new single amid the rebranding.

“The case is still in process and ongoing pa rin ang kung sino ang legal owners,” Miniong granted. “Nagkaroon na ng mga hearing at hinihintay namin ang final decision.

“Hopefully, dumating na agad bago kami umalis. Ang mahalaga, makuha namin ang legal rights.”

Aside from the legal name, Repakol does not have a problem performing their songs live onstage. The copyright is owned by Noel and was released from their record label (Alpha Records). They also receive royalties.

“Nasa amin naman ang composer of all the songs,” Miniong asserted, referring to Noel Palomo.

“Walang pang social media noong sumikat kami,” Noel shared. “Thankfully, may loyal fan base kami na sumusunod sa amin. Tunay na followers namin. Solid sila up to now. They still know our songs. Sumasabay sila kapag kumakanta kami.”

Repakol was coined from Pare Ko, after the way they call their audience or fans, even during Siakol times.

“There is a copyright issue, not a trademark or licensing,” explained immigration lawyer Max Ligot and Repakol’s legal counsel. “That’s not a question about who owns the copyright. It’s the creator of the work.”

Ligot added: “There is no issue with the copyright or playing the songs of the licensing organizations here in the Philippines.”

Repakol’s band’s manager is Alvin Llaneta, with Thalie Facelo as road manager and Christopher de la Cruz is assistant road manager.

Executive producer of Repakol US tour is Edgar Vera Tividad for Edren Entertainment LLC and Onstage Productions.

“Sobra, sobra, sobrang excited kaming lahat dahil makikita namin ang mga kababayan natin sa US,” said Noel. “Mabibigyan namin sila ng kasiyahan.”