Sponge Cola
Sponge Cola is a Philippine pop-rock band that has become very successful, with multiple hit singles and top-selling albums. They are currently one of the most successful and longest-lived veteran bands that are actively recording and touring.
Album and song list
Sponge Cola Demo EP (2003)
1. Lunes
2. Saturn
3. A Tear
4. Cigarette
5. Jeepney
Palabas (2004)

1. 22
2. Partisan
3. KLSP
4. Neon
5. On The Floor
6. Stone's Throw
7. Jillian
8. Lunes
9. To The Sly And Cunning
10. Una
11. Dragonfly
12. Gemini
13. Jeepney
14. Closure
Palabas – The Romeo and Juliet ExperienceAdditional tracks were added for an expanded version of the original album.
15. Gemini (Music video)
16. Gemini (Remastered version)
17. KLSP (Acoustic version)
18. Boundless
19. Jeepney (Acoustic version)
20. Gemini (Piano version)
Transit (2006)
1. Nakapagtataka

2. All We Need
3. Do You Know The Feeling?
4. Gunita
5. Harapin
6. Intercept
7. Movie
8. Myself In You
9. Nocturne
10. Pasubali
11. Pasubali (Acoustic Version)
12. Pasubali (Radio Edit)
13. Sa Bingit Ng Isang Paalam
14. The Wandering
15. Tuliro
16. Tuliro (Acoustic)
17. Tuloy Pa Rin
18. Bitiw
Sponge Cola (2008)

1. Ayt!
2. Puso
3. Step Back
4. Di Na Mababawi
5. In Another Life
6. G.K.T.
7. A Tear
8. All The Time
9. Wala Kang Katulad
10. Makapiling Ka
11. Lights
12. Meteor Shower
13. Saturn
14. Keep the Fire Burning
15. Tuliro
16. Tuliro (Acoustic)
17. Tuloy Pa Rin
18. Bitiw
Tambay EP (2011)

1. Tambay
2. Stargazer
3. Regal
4. E-Z as PI
5. Walang Wakas
6. Tambay (Acoustic)
Araw Oras Tagpuan (2011)
This album follows a release pattern done once before, where a Sponge Cola EP album would be a precursor or a short version of a full-length follow-up album. The first of these bookend EP/album pairs is the original Sponge Cola EP and Palabas. In the case of Palabas, it can be argued that the second album version, the Romeo and Juliet Experience version, is a third expansion on the original EP.

1. Tambay
2. Stargazer
3. Regal
4. Ok Dito
5. She Weeps
6. Kay Tagal Kitang Hinintay
7. She Wants You To
8. Walang Wakas
9. New Steel (featuring Paolo Valenciano, Ria Redulla, & Los Magno)
10. Warning: (featuring Norma Love, Iwa Motor, & Mowmow)
11. Scenic View
12. Araw Oras Tagpuan
District EP (2012)

1. Mahaba Pa Ang Gabi
2. Pick Your Poison
3. Fireworks
4. XGF
5. It's About You Girl (XGF What She Said REMIX, featuring Los Magno & Sitti)
6. Twelve
7. Mahaba Pa Ang Gabi (Acoustic Version)
Ultrablessed (2014)

1. Hawla
2. Kailangan Kita
3. Anting-Anting (Featuring Gloc 9
and Denise Barbacena)
4. Iyong-Iyong-Iyo
5. 9 To Sawa
6. +63 (featuring Yeng Constantino)
7. Walk Away
8. R.I.C.E. (Filler)
9. Singapore Sling (Dahil Kilala Na
Kita)
10. The Answer
History

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.
Music

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).
Band Members

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.
Awards and Recornition
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
Music Video and Other Media
Tower Sessions
Lunes
Kailangan Kita
Official Music Videos
Palabas
KLSP
Una
Gemini
Jeepney
Transit
Movie
Pasubali
Tuliro
Bitiw
Sponge Cola
Puso
Di Na Mababawi
Wala Kang Katulad
Makapiling Ka
For Close-Up
Closer You and I
Tambay (EP)/ Araw Oras Tagpuan
Tambay
Regal
Stargazer
Kay Tagal Kitang Hinintay
Araw Oras Tagpuan
District (EP)
Mahaba Pa Ang Gabi
Pick Your Poison
XGF
Ultrablessed
Kailangan Kita
Anting-Anting (Featuring Gloc 9 and Denise Barbacena)
+63 (featuring Yeng Constantino)
Singapore Sling (Dahil Kilala Na Kita)
References
https://www.facebook.com/spongecola
https://www.youtube.com/user/spongecolamusic
https://twitter.com/sponge_cola
https://plus.google.com/115494704394209216997/posts
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sponge_Cola
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yael_Yuzon
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gosh_Dilay
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Cantada
http://en.wikipilipinas.org/index.php/Sponge_Cola
http://jaysonpaor.blogspot.com/2011/11/sponge-cola-sweet-taste-of-success.html
https://atmmagazine.wordpress.com/2014/10/19/sponge-cola-reaches-new-milestones/
http://www.gigsmanila.com/news/sponge-cola-reaches-new-career-milestones/
All photos sourced from:
http://pt-i.pinoytuner.com/spongecola2012111550a3d34133002.jpg
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_30NWrnkHejQ/StH0QlqD7eI/AAAAAAAAB4o/MYC-b1BXDdk/s1600/Spongecola+-+Palabas.bmp
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/c/c8/Sc-transit.jpg
https://www.songhits.ph/includes/albums/img_201404160905sponge_cola_(sponge_cola).jpg
http://eduardsonocampo.blog.com/files/2012/05/sponge-cola-TAMBAY.jpg
http://pinoyalbums.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/01-Tambay-mp3-image.jpg
http://megstreetwear.ph/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/coverREVISION3.jpghttp://a4.mzstatic.com/us/r30/Music6/v4/85/b5/ea/
85b5eae1-e5c0-8061-b7d1-f614c5c0434f/cover326x326.jpeg
https://akosiemersonsy.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/sponge_cola_pic2-1024x682.jpg
https://s1.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/m2ka0hApW72wno3uNgXxNg--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7cT04NTt3PTYzMA--/
http://media.zenfs.com/en-PH/blogs/writeaway/630cp_spongecola.jpg
http://www.mindanaoan.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Sarah-Geronimo-Globe-WonderfulMindaNOWIMG_7728.jpg
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vJlMWA54kj4/TqYYRdhBSVI/AAAAAAAABow/d-eqbSppiX8/s640/Sponge+Cola+Pic1.jpg