Sponge Cola

Sponge Cola was initially known as Sponge, named after R.S. Surtee’s Mr. Sponge Sporting Tour. The origins of the band started around 1998, when Yael Yuzon and Gosh Dilay met as members in the Ateneo de Manila High School’s theater guild.

Initially, aside from Gosh and Yael, the lineup was rather fluid. However, after winning some band competitions, Erwin Armovit (from another school band, Rampqueen), and Chris Cantada eventually rounded out the band. The problem, however, was that there was another band known as Sponge: a Detroit grunge band. They avoided all name issues simply by adding the term cola to their names, on the simple reason that it was easier to remember. This version of the band finally kicked into gear in 2003.

It was also in 2003 that they released the Sponge Cola demo EP, which included future hits Lunes and Jeepney. The band also became famous for their cover of Madonna’s Crazy for You.

Getting into gear

2004 was the year the band finally hit their stride, with their first major-label album, Palabas. The various singles from that album, such as KLSP, Una, and a re-released Jeepney all gained heavy airplay, and rode the resurgence of OPM bands at the time.

After jumping record labels, Sponge Cola released their follow-up album, Transit. This album had the monster hit, Bitiw. That single became the theme song for the Pedro Penduko television series, starting another facet of Sponge Cola’s overall career. Tuliro and Pasubali followed as singles, with the latter becoming the local theme song for the Korean TV romance series Lovers.

This era in the band’s history also saw them contribute to tribute albums – arguably a very effective way of connecting to other audience market segments. Their presence was felt in tribute albums for the Eraserheads and the APO Hiking Society (in the latter case, two albums). As can be expected, the band’s popularity and strong output earned them many awards.

Chris leaves

In 2008, Sponge Cola had a major concern, as their drummer Chris had to leave due to health reasons (said to be a heart condition). However, with the help of drummers from allied bands like Wendell Garcia (from Yael’s brother Yan’s band, Pupil), and T-Mac Cruz from The Out of Body Special, the band continued to tour heavily and record for their upcoming album release.

Sponge Cola, the self-titled album, was released in 2008. As can be expected, among the many singles from the album, Puso would become the anthem of the UAAP (University Athletic Association of the Philippines) for the next four years, Ayt! was a collaboration with OPM legend Gary Valenciano, and the band would record Gino Padilla’s identifying single Closer You and I for Close-Up Toothpaste.

Expanding and evolving

In 2009, Sponge Cola made their songs available through online distribution outlets, and again used multimedia as a tool, by announcing the digital library through an appearance in a local noontime show.

Starting in 2010, the band shifted their release strategy to using EP releases, such as Tambay (as part of a Coca-Cola promotion). They then followed up Tambay with a full-album release version – in this case, Araw Oras Tagpuan (2011).

They released an EP album for 2012, District. This EP album had the single XGF, featuring Chito Miranda of Parokya ni Edgar, and Los Magno of The Out of Body Special. Another single from the EP, Pick your Poison, was used in the Metro Manila Film Festival movie entry, Sosy Problems.

In 2013, they recorded one of their concerts on video, eventually releasing it in 2014, titled Maximum Capacity. They also released their fifth album, Ultrablessed, in the first quarter of 2014.

To date, Sponge Cola is an active and influential force in the local music industry, being one of the most successful pop-rock bands of their generation, while at the same time finding a unique multimedia niche for themselves.

Sponge Cola’s sound can be classified as pop-rock, particularly in later albums. However, there are many alternative rock facets to their sound. Notable musical excursions in the recent albums include a rap section in the song XGF from Los Magno, lead singer and rapper from The Out of Body Special. It should be noted that a good number of Sponge Cola’s singles have been used as theme songs for movies and TV series (please see the examples cited in the history section).

Yael Yuzon – Lead Vocals, Guitars

Yael’s family can trace their origins to Spain’s Basque region. His brother, Yan, is a member of two bands, Pupil and Archipelago. He is married to Karylle (Tatlonghari), the famous pop singer. He had a band prior to Sponge Cola, known as White Chapel

Armo Armovit – Guitars

He is also the guitarist for the band Rampqueen.

Gosh Dilay – Bass, Vocals

Gosh is the primary composer and lyricist of the band, aside from being a founding member and the bass guitarist.

T-Mac Cruz – Drums, Vocals

T-Mac started out as a session drummer after Chris Cantada left the band. He was later confirmed to be the new drummer for the band. His past bands include The Out of Body Special and Happy Meals.

Former Member

Chris Cantada – Drums, Vocals, Keyboards, Guitars

Chris eventually had to leave the band to deal with a worsening health condition, said to be a heart infection. However, once he recovered, he eventually released a solo album, Heartbeat. The album was co-produced by Yael.

As noted before in this article, Sponge Cola has become a multimedia entity as time goes on. It is no surprise that they have awards not in the usual range for most rock and alternative bands.

NU 107 Rock Awards 2004

Winner Rising Sun Award

RX 93.1 2004

Winner Independent Artist of the Year

99.5 RT 2004

Winner Song of the Year, “KLSP”

0NU 107 Rock Awards 2005

Winner Male Rock Icon of The Year, Yael Yuzon

ASAP Pop Viewer’s Choice 2006

Winner Pop Band of the Year

Myx Music Awards 2006

Winner Favorite Rock Video, “KLSP”

ASAP Pop Viewer’s Choice 2007

Winner Pop Band of the Year

Myx Music Awards 2007

Winner Favorite Rock Video, “Bitiw”

Winner Favorite Artist

Winner Favorite Group

Winner Favorite Song, “Bitiw”

OPM Songhits Awards 2007

Winner Best Male Vocalist, Yael Yuzon

Winner Pinoy Magazine Brand Award

ASAP Pop Viewer's Choice 2008

Winner Pop Band of The Year

Myx Music Awards 2008

Winner Favorite Media Soundtrack, “Tuloy Pa Rin”

Winner Favorite Group

Winner Favorite Music Video, “Tuliro”

ASAP Pop Viewer's Choice 2009

Winner Best Performance in a Music Video, “Di Na Mababawi”

40th Box Office Entertainment Awards 2009

Winner Most Popular Recording Group

MYX Music Awards 2010

Winner Favorite Group

MYX Music Awards 2012

Winner Favorite Mellow Video, “Kay Tagal Kitang Hinintay”

4th PMPC Star Awards for Music 2012

Winner Album of the Year, Araw Oras Tagpuan

Winner Male Rock Artist of the Year

44th Box Office Entertainment Awards 2013 (Guillermo Mendoza Awards for 2012)

Winner Most Popular Recording/Performing Group