What happens when you meld Filipino cultural themes with pop music? You get Alamat—a six-member P-pop boy group that seamlessly blends Filipino heritage into every aspect of their work. Join us as we get to know the origins and journey of this unique boy band from the Philippines.
Cultural Representation is at Alamat’s Core
Photo from Alamat
The members of Alamat were chosen from nationwide talent search by Viva Artists Agency. From dozens of applicants, nine members were chosen and debuted as Alamat in 2020. Under the vision of creative director John Paul Laxamana, the group showcased a multicultural approach to pop music, highlighting Filipino heritage. Even their name is a Filipino word for “legend,” showing just how tied the Filipino identity is to the group.
Due to various reasons, three members left the group, leaving six remaining—Taneo (Bylle Jorna Uyam), the leader and main dancer from Tabuk, Kalinga; Mo (Aaron Joshua Mitchell), the lead vocalist and rapper from Castillejos, Zambales; Jao (Justin Paolo Canlas), the lead dancer from Magalang, Pampanga; Tomas (Thomas Franco Rodriguez), the main vocalist, Tabaco, Albay; R-ji (Ralph Joseph Lim), the main vocalist from Borongan, Eastern Samar; and Alas (Joshua Alvarez), the main rapper from Davao.
Each member comes from different locations in the country, giving the boy band a refreshing diversity of voices and styles that make them unique compared to their peers.
Instruments and Lyrics Reflect Filipino Heritage
From their debut, Alamat has made a statement. Their first single, “kbye,” incorporated 7 languages—Tagalog, Ilokano, Zambal, Kapampangan, Bikolano, Hiligaynon, and Bisaya—and a traditional sound, bandurria, that is often heard in the traditional dance of tinikling.
The group’s debut EP, Pasulong (2022), had songs associated with various Filipino folklore and heritage, like “Aswang,” the Filipino vampire; “Gayuma,” a love potion; and “Maharani,” the wife of a ruler. Meanwhile, their first studio album, Isa Puso (2023), starts off with “Dagundong”—a song about going against colonialism—and ends with “Dong-Dong-Ay”—a modern rendition of a salidummay from Cordillera.
History Shines Through Music Videos
Aside from the music, their music videos also depict scenes and iconic elements from Filipino history. Going back to “kbye,” its music video featured the Filipino jeepney, an iconic symbol of local transportation, alongside ventanillas—paper windows found in old Filipino homes
Their music video for “Kasmala” also shows a dark part of Filipino history, particularly the 1904 World Fair, where Americans created anthropological exhibits showcasing “primitive” life in the Philippines with actual humans inside the exhibits. Despite this dehumanizing legacy that became a part of our history, the music video reclaims our own identity, highlighting how being different is beautiful.
Bring Traditional Style into the Modern Age
Photo from Alamat
If you’ve seen Alamat’s music videos, then you’ve seen them incorporate traditional textiles into their attire. The group paid homage to Philippine warriors In their “Kasmala” music video, and adapted the geometric designs of the okir, the bahag loincloth, and referenced La Solidaridad in the “Dumagundong” video.
Alamat’s stage outfits for live performances also feature similar vibrant designs from the various regions of the Philippines. Their costume for the Palarong Pambansa featured the colors of the Philippine flag while having textile patterns on the seams of their shirts from the three major island groups of the country: Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
What’s Next for These Rising Legends?
Photo from Alamat
Alamat is currently preparing the release of their next studio album, Destino. In the meantime, the boy band released a single with Coke Studio entitled “Rock Baby,” sampling the ‘70s Manila sound classic from VST & Company. They also recently performed at the Fusion10 ELB in UP Los Baños, and are set to perform at the upcoming Heartonic for Masskara 2025 at Lacson Tourism Strip in Bacolod City on October 19.
Alamat is definitely booked and busy, and it’s obvious why—their unique approach to P-pop that incorporates national identity makes them a group to watch.
What are your thoughts on Alamat? Let us know in the comments!