Pupil (band)

Filipino rock band

Pupil

Origin| Metro Manila, Philippines
Genres|

* Alternative rock
* pop rock
* Pinoy rock
* post-punk revival

Years active|

* 2005–2019
* 2024–present

Labels|

* Sony BMG
* MCA Music

Spinoff of|

* The Mongols
* Eraserheads
* Teeth
* Barbie's Cradle
* Daydream Cycle

Members|

* Ely Buendia
* Jerome Velasco
* Wendell Garcia
* Dok Sergio

Past members|

* Yanni Yuzon
* Bogs Jugo

Pupil are a Filipino alternative rock band. They currently consist of vocalist Ely Buendia, lead guitarist Jerome Velasco, bassist Dok Sergio, and drummer Wendell Garcia.

Formed as a spin-off of the Mongols, Pupil released their debut album Beautiful Machines in 2005. Jugo left soon after and was replaced by Garcia. The band released their second album Wild Life in 2007. Their third studio album, Limiters of the Infinity Pool, was released in 2011, after which Yuzon left the band in 2013. Velasco joined the band in 2014 after having produced Wild Life. They released their fourth studio album Zilch in 2015.

## History

[edit]

### 2005–2006: Formation, Beautiful Machines

[edit]

Pupil was formed in 2005 as a spin-off of the Mongols, an underground band featuring Eraserheads vocalist Buendia, Teeth guitarist Velasco, Yuzon (bass), and Jugo (drums). When Velasco left the band to study in the United States, the band members recruited Sergio (who also played guitar for Teeth), who swapped duties with Yuzon and played bass.[1]

Buendia got the name for Pupil after reading a medical book. Other names that were considered were Narcom, Tyrel Corp, Traitors, and The Gets.[2] The band's manager and Buendia's then-partner Diane Ventura described Pupil's sound as "more pop" while the Mongols were "guitar-driven".[3]

The band signed with Sony BMG on September[3][4] and released their debut album Beautiful Machines in November. It featured the lead single “Nasaan Ka?”, which was written by Ventura (who also sings in the title track).[1] A music video was directed by Quark Henares.[4] “Nasaan Ka?” later won Best Performance by a New Group at the 19th Awit Awards.[5]

The band contributed a song to the animated film Hoodwinked! called “Blow Your House Down”.[6] The film, which was the first independently produced 3D animated feature to be produced in the Philippines,[7] later premiered in December.

In 2006, the band collaborated with Barbie Almalbis on the Rockoustic Mania promotional campaign for Juicy Fruit. They released a promotional CD with two songs, “Nakakabaliw” and “Must Have”.[8]

### 2007–2010: Animax, Wild Life

[edit]

In 2007, the band were commissioned to write a new theme song for Animax. They recorded two songs, “Matador” and “Set Me Apart”, with the latter being chosen.[9] It was released in May 2007 with an animated music video premiering the following month. The video later won Best Music Video at the PromaxBDA Awards the following year.[10] "Set Me Apart" also became Jugo’s last song with the band, as he left soon after.[9]

The band added drummer Wendell Garcia of Barbie's Cradle to their lineup and released their second studio album Wild Life in November.[9] It featured the singles "Sala",[11] "Monobloc", "Teacher's Pet", and "Disconnection Notice". It was later rereleased as a special edition with bonus tracks in 2009.[12]

The band opened for Nine Inch Nails in Manila on their Wave Goodbye tour in August 2009.[13] They also recorded the theme song for the 2009 film Ang Panday, with a music video directed by Ventura.[14]

In May 2010, the band released a book, Against the Light: A Pupil Tour Diary.[15] They also opened for Tears for Fears with Buendia’s former bandmate Raimund Marasigan’s band Sandwich in the same month.[16] The band contributed to Buendia’s collaborative album with rapper Francis M., In Love and War, released in 2010 after his death.

### 2011–2013: Limiters of the Infinity Pool

[edit]

The band released their third album Limiters of the Infinity Pool in January 2011. It features the singles “TNT” and “20/20”, of which a music video was shot on the empty streets of EDSA during Holy Week.[17]

After Sony Music Philippines disbanded in 2012, Pupil signed with MCA Music. The band performed with General Luna at Dubai, United Arab Emirates in February 2013.[18] Yuzon left the band soon after.

### 2014–present: Zilch, hiatus

[edit]

In 2014, Velasco officially joined the band as lead guitarist. He had previously worked with the band on their first two albums.[19] The band released the first single from their upcoming album Zilch titled “Out of Control” in July. Its music video was directed by Erin Pascual and featured model Ornusa Cadness in a post-apocalyptic Manila.[20] The band represented the Philippines at the annual Sundown Festival in Singapore on November.[21]

Zilch was released in March 2015.[22] Its follow-up singles included “Why” and “Cheap Thrill”.[23]

The band was slated to perform at De La Salle University in June 2016, but later backed out after Buendia felt that the organizers "acted in bad faith" by promoting him instead of his band.[24] In March 2019, the band performed with General Luna in Parañaque.[25]

After a five-year hiatus, the band reunited for a live show with Sandwich and Chicosci in March 2024.[26]

## Members

[edit]

### Current members

[edit]

* Ely Buendia \- vocals, rhythm guitar (2005–2019, 2024–present)
* Dok Sergio - bass, vocals (2005–2019, 2024–present)
* Wendell Garcia - drums, vocals (2007–2019, 2024–present)
* Jerome Velasco - lead guitar (2014–2019, 2024–present)

### Former members

[edit]

* Yanni Yuzon \- lead guitar, vocals (2005–2013)
* Bogs Jugo - drums, vocals (2005–2007)

### Timeline

[edit]

## Discography

[edit]

### Studio albums

[edit]

Title  | Album details

|

Beautiful Machines |

* Released: November 11, 2005
* Label: Sony BMG Music Entertainment
* Format: CD

Wild Life |

* Released: November 9, 2007
* Label: Sony BMG Music Entertainment (Philippines), Inc.
* Format: CD

Limiters of the Infinity Pool |

* Released: January 19, 2011
* Label: Sony Music Philippines
* Format: CD

Zilch |

* Released: March 6, 2015
* Label: MCA Music
* Format: CD

### Extended plays

[edit]

* Juicy Fruit Rockoustic Mania (with Barbie Almalbis) (Sony BMG Entertainment (Philippines), 2006)[8]

### Singles

[edit]

List of singles, showing year released and album name  Title  | Year  | Album

|
|

"Nasaan Ka?"  | 2005  | Beautiful Machines
"Dianetic"  | 2006
"Dulo Ng Dila"
"Gamu-Gamo"
"Set Me Apart"  | 2007  | Wild Life
"Sala"
"Monobloc"  | 2008
"Teacher's Pet"  | 2009
"Disconnection Notice"
"TNT"  | 2011  | Limiters of the Infinity Pool
"20/20"
"Out of Control"  | 2014  | Zilch
"Why"  | 2015
"Cheap Thrill"  | 2016

### Other appearances

[edit]

Title  | Year  | Album

|
|

"Blow Your House Down"  | 2005  | Hoodwinked (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
"Bleeder"  | 2010  | In Love and War

### Music videos

[edit]

Year  | Title  | Director

|
|

2005  | "Nasaan Ka?"  | Quark Henares
"Dianetic"  |
2006  | "Dulo Ng Dila"  | Wincy Ong and King Palisoc
"Nakakabaliw"  | R.A. Rivera
"Must Have"  | Pancho Esguerra
2007  | ”Set Me Apart”  | Tracy Wong
"Sala"  | Wincy Ong
2008  | "Monobloc"  | King Palisoc
2009  | "Teacher's Pet"
"Disconnection Notice"  | Quark Henares
"Different Worlds (Live)"  |
"Ang Panday"  | Diane Ventura
2011  | "TNT"  |
"20/20"  | Jason Tan
2014  | "Out of Control"  | Erin Pascual
2015  | "Why"  | Mike Talampas and Nick Santiago
2016  | "Cheap Thrill"  | Erin Pascual

## Awards and nominations

[edit]

Year | Award Giving Body | Category | Nominated Work | Results

|
|
|
|

2006 | Awit Awards | Best Performance By A New Group | Pupil | Won
MTV Pilipinas | Best Rock Video Award | "Nasaan Ka?" | Won
Best Director | Quark Henares for "Nasaan Ka?" | Won
NU Rock Awards | Bassist of The Year | Dok Sergio | Nominated[27]
Producer/s of The Year | Patrick Tirano (Beautiful Machines)  | Nominated[27]
Song of The Year | "Nasaan Ka?" | Nominated[27]
Band of The Year | Pupil | Nominated[27]
Album of The Year | "Beautiful Machines" | Nominated[27]
SOP | Breakthrough Recording Artist of The Year | Pupil | Won
Best Vocalist (Pasiklaband Awards) | Ely Buendia | Nominated
Best Rock Band (Pasiklaband Awards) | Pupil | Nominated
2007 | Awit Awards | Music Video of The Year | "Dulo Ng Dila" | Nominated
MYX Music Awards | Favorite Media Soundtrack | "Nakakabaliw" with Barbie Almalbis for Juicy Fruit Rockoustic Mania | Nominated
NU Rock Awards | Song of The Year | "Sala" | Nominated
OPM Songhits Awards  | Best Performance by a Group/Band | Pupil | Nominated
Best Male Vocalist | Ely Buendia | Won
Best Song for a Movie/TV/Stage play | "Set Me Apart" | Nominated
Rock Icon Award | Ely Buendia | Won
2008  | Awit Awards | Best Performance By A Group Recording Artist/s (Performance Award) | "Sala" | Nominated
Best Performance By A Group Recording Artist/s (People's Choice Award) | "Sala" | Nominated
Best Rock Recording | "Sala" | Nominated
Best World/Alternative/Bossa Music | "Sala" | Nominated
NU Rock Awards | Producer Of The Year | Jerome Velasco (Wild Life)  | Won
Drummer Of The Year | Wendell Garcia  | Won
Album Of The Year | Wild Life | Won
Artist Of The Year | Pupil | Won
Best Music Video | "Monobloc" | Won
Vocalist of the Year | Ely Buendia | Nominated
Bassist of The Year | Dok Sergio | Nominated
Song of the Year | "Monobloc" | Nominated
Promax/BDA Awards (New York City)  | Best Music Video | "Set Me Apart" | Won
SOP  | Best Rock Band (Pasiklaband Awards) | Pupil | Won
2009  | NU Rock Awards | Song of The Year | "Different Worlds" (Live Version) | Nominated
Song of The Year | "Teacher's Pet" | Nominated
Best Music Video | "Teacher's Pet" Directed by King Palisoc | Nominated
2012  | MYX Music Awards | Favorite Music Video | "20/20" Directed by Jason Tan | Won
Favorite Song | "20/20" | Nominated
Favorite Rock Video | "20/20" Directed by Jason Tan | Nominated
Awit Awards | Music Video of the Year[28][29] | "20/20" Directed by Jason Tan | Won
Best Engineered Recording | Patrick Tirano | Nominated
2015  | MYX Music Awards | Favorite Rock Video | "Out of Control" Directed by Erin Pascual | Nominated
2016  | MYX Music Awards | Favorite Rock Video | "Why" Directed by Mike Talampas and Nick Santiago | Nominated

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b Jorge, Rome. "Rock 'n' roll survivor – triumphant". The Manila Times. Retrieved 24 August 2024.
2. ^ Abunda, Boy. "Ely not happy with Eraserheads tribute?". Philippine Star. Retrieved 24 August 2024.
3. ^ a b Lo, Ricky. "Has Ely B. totally erased E-Heads from his memory?". Philippine Star. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
4. ^ a b "Bulletin Board". Pupilopolis - Home of PUPIL. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
5. ^ "19th Awit Awards: LIST OF WINNERS". Awit Awards. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
6. ^ "Ely Buendia on the "Hoodwinked" Soundtrack". Philmusic.com. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
7. ^ Peszko, J. Paul. "Hoodwinked: Anatomy of an Independent Animated Feature". VFX World. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
8. ^ a b "Pupil & Barbie Almalbis - Juicy Fruit Rockoustic Mania (Promo CD, 2006)". Discogs.com. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
9. ^ a b c Almo, Nerisa. "Pupil launches "Wildlife" album, introduces new drummer". PEP.ph.
10. ^ Legaspi, Amita. "Pupil wins Best Music Video award in New York City". GMA News Online. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
11. ^ "Pupil: A walk on the wild side". Philippine Star. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
12. ^ Ocampo, Marielle. "Pupil releases two-disc Wildlife Special Edition album". PEP.ph. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
13. ^ "Addicted to Nine Inch Nails". Philippine Star. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
14. ^ "Ang Panday, may music video na!". GMA Entertainment. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
15. ^ Godinez, Bong. "Pupil documents life on the road in Against The Light". PEP.ph. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
16. ^ "Tears for Fears regains glory". Philippine Star. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
17. ^ De Veyra, Ramon. "Pupil's "20/20" Vision". Philippine Star. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
18. ^ "Filipino bands to perform at concert for a cause". Gulf Times. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
19. ^ Macas, Trisha. "Aging like fine wine: Pupil on 'Zilch,' int'l music festivals, and new local bands". GMA News Online. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
20. ^ Brew, Francis. "Pupil attacks! New single is muscular, harder-edged". Yahoo! Philippines. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
21. ^ "Pupil to represent PH at Singapore's Sundown Festival". Rappler.com. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
22. ^ Ignacio, Angela V. "Catching up with Pupil". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
23. ^ "Pupil Launches "Cheap Thrill" at Saguijo". When in Manila. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
24. ^ Macas, Trisha. "Pupil cancels DLSU gig — Ely Buendia". GMA News Online. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
25. ^ Aldana, Ida. "Heads Up: Pupil Is Playing a Rare Gig With the Reunited General Luna". Spot.ph. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
26. ^ Angan, Kara. "Pupil To Reunite And Join Sandwich, Chicosci At 'Happy Birthday Mr. President' Show This March". Billboard Philippines. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
27. ^ a b c d e Gil, Baby A. (November 24, 2006). "NU 107 Rock Awards nominees". PhilStar.com. Retrieved November 28, 2018.
28. ^ "The 25th Awit Awards". Rappler. November 29, 2012. Retrieved November 3, 2015.
29. ^ Sallan, Edwin P. (November 28, 2012). "Zia Quizon leads all winners at 25th Awit Awards". InterAksyon. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved November 3, 2015.

## External links

[edit]

* Pupil Yahoo! Groups
* Pupil PinoyBanda Profile
* LivELY: Coming Together for Ely Buendia

* v
* t
* e

Pupil

* Ely Buendia
* Dok Sergio
* Wendell Garcia
* Jerome Velasco

* Yanni Yuzon
* Bogs Jugo

Studio albums|

* Beautiful Machines
* Wild Life
* Limiters of the Infinity Pool
* Zilch

Related articles|

* Eraserheads
* The Mongols
* Buddha's Pest
* The Oktaves
* Self-titled album
* Teeth
* Animax
* Hoodwinked!

* v
* t
* e

Eraserheads

* Ely Buendia
* Buddy Zabala
* Marcus Adoro
* Raimund Marasigan

Studio albums|

* Ultraelectromagneticpop!
* Circus
* Cutterpillow
* Fruitcake
* Sticker Happy
* Natin99
* Carbon Stereoxide

EPs and demos|

* Fruitcake
* Bananatype
* Please Transpose

Live albums|

* Eraserheads: The Reunion Concert 08.30.08
* Huling El Bimbo (Live at 2022 the Eraserheads Reunion Concert)

Compilations|

* Aloha Milkyway
* Eraserheads: The Singles
* Eraserheads Anthology
* Eraserheads Anthology Two

Singles|

* "Ligaya"
* "Pare Ko"
* "Toyang"
* "Fruitcake"
* "Kaliwete"
* "Para sa Masa"
* "With a Smile"
* "Sabado"
* "1995"

Other songs|

* "Alapaap"
* "Ang Huling El Bimbo"
* "Combo on the Run"
* "Magasin"
* "Maling Akala"
* "Minsan"
* "Poorman's Grave"
* "Spoliarium"

Films|

* Run Barbi Run
* Eraserheads: The Reunion Concert

Related groups|

* Sandwich
* Cambio
* The Mongols
* Pupil
* Pedicab
* The Oktaves
* Apartel

Related articles|

* Discography
* List of songs recorded by Eraserheads
* Offshore Music
* Ultraelectromagneticjam!: The Music of the Eraserheads
* The Reunion: An Eraserheads Tribute Album
* Pop Machine the Album: A Collective of Artists Turning Heads This 2020

Authority control databases: Artists |

* MusicBrainz

|

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