THE name of the pop-rock band, Siakol, has been ingrained in the minds of its loyal followers since the group’s inception in 1994. The band has been singing only their original songs, written mostly by their vocalist and songwriter, Noel Palomo.

However, after more than two decades, Palomo left Siakol with fellow founding and original member, Anthony “Miniong” Cervantes, the band’s lead guitarist.

In 2019, because of the apparent rift with other members, Palomo and Cervantes formed a new band, Repakol, taken after the way they call the audience or the fans, Pare Ko, even during Siakol times.

Four new members were subsequently taken in. Raz Itum is bassist, Wilbert Jimenez is rhythm guitarist, Zach Alcasid is drummer, Alvin Palomo is rhythm guitarist. All of the new members also came from their respective bands.

Palomo and Cervantes decided to call the new group, Repakol, an off-shoot of Siakol.

“Hindi kami nawala,” Cervantes told ABS-CBN News. “Bago pa mag-pandemic, we decided to call our group, Repakol.”

Unfortunately, however, Repakol has an ongoing legal battle with Siakol and they have yet to settle the rift. That only started recently, so they cannot discuss the case extensively.

“The name, Siakol, is the group’s trademark,” explained Repakol’s Palomo. “The next one is the copyright, meaning our songs that start with the creation of our artistic work.”

“There is a copyright issue, not a trademark or licensing,” said 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 is Edgar Vera Tividad for Edren Entertainment LLC and Onstage Productions.

Repakol will embark on a coast-to-coast US and Canada tour that will start April 20 in Maryland, April 26 in Virginia, April 27 in New Jersey, May 3 in North Carolina, May 4 in Georgia, May 11 in Florida (Jacksonville), May 21 in Texas (Arlington), May 24 in Illinois (Chicago), June 1 in Maui and June 2 in Honolulu (Hawaii).

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

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.

After the US leg, Repakol will crossover to Canada for a six-city itinerary before returning to Manila in July.

Members of Repakol are surprised their original music still resonates with today’s generation. Even primetime king Coco Martin did a cover of their original hit, “Peksman.”

AUTHOR PROFILE

Leah C. Salterio