ISA PA! Ebe Dancel, the former lead vocalist of one of the most well-known Pinoy bands, Sugarfree is set to repeat his concert SA WAKAS The Repeat: 20th Anniversary Celebration due to popular demand! With special guests Sandwich, Red Ollero, and Manila String Machine, the OPM legend is set to hold the concert on March 31, 2023, in 123 Block from 6 p.m. onwards.
In preparation for the concert, the veteran musician sits with the media to talk about his upcoming concert and all other intimate thoughts about music, friendships, humble beginnings, and staying in the music industry for over two decades.
Here’s what we unfolded with the legendary singer-songwriter:
Question: What made you decide to stage a repeat of the SA WAKAS concert?
Ebe Dancel: Two reasons: mas maraming di nakapanood (the first time) compared sa nanood. Days later, I was getting messages and letters from fans, asking for a Day 2. I spoke to Mitch (Singson, former drummer of Sugarfre) and as he was walking me to my car (after the first SA WAKAS) I said, “I don’t think I can do this again, pagod na ko, tanda na ko.” Pero dahil dun sa clamor, I decided to it again. And then number 2, we’re not announcing it but we’re raising a fund for a friend who has cancer and who needs help.
Q: Is there going to be a difference in part 2 of the SA WAKAS concert, compared to the first one?
E: The lineup is different. Binawasan na namin, so we can play longer sets. Ewan ko kung paano nabitin sa 17 songs so dadagdagan pa namin ng 5 song so it’s going to be 22. There’s going to be more space this time because if I’m not mistaken, ‘yung last time naubos ‘yung tickets within 24 hours, and now it will be bigger. We have to rehearse first of course, so when I get back let’s see what happens.
Q: What can you say about the success of the first concert of SA WAKAS last January, and for the SA WAKAS: THE REPEAT, what are some of your expectations?
E: Personally, wala akong expectations. I just want people to have a good time kasi sila yung humingi nito, so baka sila (the fans) yung may expectations. Ineenjoy ko lang bawat saglit na kaya ko pang tumugtog, kasi you never know kung hanggang kailan ko pwedeng gawin to.
Q: Who are the guest performers for the SA WAKAS: THE REPEAT?
E: Personal request ko ang Sandwich saka si Red (Ollero), so there’s gonna be comedy, there’s gonna music and there’s gonna be me, which is gonna be comedy and music. Yung Manila String Machine, late addition sila (but) I’m very grateful sa kanila because they volunteered. Nagkita kami in a wedding sa Rizal because we’re both performers. I guess they missed and I missed them too so magrerehearse ako with the quartet.
Q: Your personal guest performers are Sandwich and Red Ollero and now Manila String Machine. What are the things you liked about them the most and why you decided to invite them?
E: Sandwich will always be one of my favorite bands. When Sugarfree was just starting out, Sandwich yung palaging nagsasabing tumugtog kami with them. So malaking karangalan na pumayag sila at may orange sila. Si Red, nakakatawa kasi siya eh (laughs). Kailangan natin lahat tumawa, it’s important! And he’s a fantastic guy, I met him the first time yesterday and he’s great! There’s a variety.. (of artists), you have Sandwich who will bring the house down. And then you have Red, who will bring the house down in his own way, and then you have me. And then the Manila String Machine pa na when I had my concert… I think ako yung huling nag-concert bago mag-lockdown nung 2020, I had a show in the Metro10 with the Manila String Machine. So medyo scared down lang sila ngayon when it comes to collaboration and you still get strings and parang for some reasons at tsaka yung mga strings (of their songs) palaging bagay so I’m looking forward to that part as well.
Q: How do you feel about your work inspiring generations and how they have become an “anthem” or “soundtrack” that people are still asking for to this day?
E: Very honored because all my songs naman are born out of honesty, I never had a target market in mind, so anything goes, there’s no science to what I do. Which is why I think the fans appreciate the songs. And then, what’s good about it is like noong first concert may dumating na nanay, tapos sinabi niya sakin, “Pinapanood kita noong high-school (pa ako). Pinakilala niya yung anak niya who is now in high school so aside from the fact that she made me feel old, I think it’s just wonderful that music–not just mine– transcends generations.
Q: Are there any new acts or new artists that you are looking forward to collaborating with, if not now, in the future?
E: Not new artist, but at some point I think I promised Ma’am Regine Velasquez-Alcasid a song. At some point I promised Miss Sarah Geronimo a song. So I don’t know when I will finally have time for that so nasa bucket list ko ‘yon. Parang doon ako nagtetrend kaysa sa mga bagets.
Q: You released an EP last year HABANGBUHAY and it was a success. Will we expect new music from you soon and will we see a sneak peek in the SA WAKAS part 2?
E: No, Sa Wakas ay parang balik tanaw so we’re going to play mostly Sugarfree songs, di ako papayag na we will not play the new songs but the show will mostly focus on the old songs. When it comes to new music, naisip ko na ‘yan kahapon eh. I think this year I need to start writing songs again and it’s not gonna be an EP, it’s gonna be a full album. Like maybe 10, 12 songs, like what we used to do back in the day. Ngayon kasi single-based na ang consumption ng music but I believe that there are still people who appreciate just the flow, the story of an entire album being told. That’s my goal. Sana okay yung mga kanta.
Q: Did you ever get writer’s block? If ever you did, how did you overcome them?
E: I personally don’t believe in writer’s block, I think we tend to be distracted to be what goes around us. Especially these days, everything goes around us. Sometimes I think the problem is it’s not that you don’t have a voice, people drown you out and they talk over you. So pag nilagay mo yung sarili mo sa isolation, which I’m very good at, I think I can sit down and sort through all the joys and pains of what is happening. And my manager, who is also my producer, Rico Blanco, we have conversations about songwriting. “Why don’t you try writing about this and that,” he said, and it’s great that I’m surrounded by people who want to see me succeed, even after all these years.
Q: Since you are celebrating 20 years in the industry, if you have a message to yourself 20 years ago, what will it be?
E: Be patient and be kind. I was neither when I was starting out but there are things that you learn along the way and I’m fortunate to have mentors like Ryan Cayabyab and Gary V who reminded me that talent alone will not sustain you. You need to have dedication, hard work, and most of all you need to be kind to people.
Q: What are your thoughts about being grateful for your years in the industry?
E: Next year, I will be celebrating my 25th year in the industry. I officially started my career 1999. Hindi madaling tumagal ng lima or sampung taon sa industriyang ito, bukod sa talent, kailangan may hard work, kailangan may dedication and kailangan grateful ka kasi skill set ito na binigay ng Diyos sa’yo. So I think I’m merely an instrument tapos siya yung nagsusulat ng kanta. Not my hands, not my feet, not my voice but God’s. Alam naman yan ng mga ka-trabaho ko. Di man ako relihiyoso pero I talk to God many many times a day.
Q: In the first run of the SA WAKAS concert, 123 Block was decked out of campus fair decorations. Why do you think people associate SA WAKAS with high school or college life?
E: Well maybe it’s because they were in high school or college when it came out and then we broke the album by doing school fairs, lahat na yata ng university natugtugan na namin so that’s how people found out about us. Tapos yun yung distinct memory nila about that album so binalik lang namin yung vibe na yon, complete with perya.
Q: Have you noticed any difference like now and then?
E: Same lang naman in the sense that they pay attention to the lyrics. Mas content over form ako eh. I’m not the best guitar player I know, I’m not the most technically skilled, so yung content and words, that’s the most I’m focused on. The old fans would buy the albums and listen from track 1 to track 10. Ngayon kasi sa dami ng nangyayari and everything so very accesible, the new fans can just skip tracks. So yun yung difference din, sa consumption but the love is the same.
Q: You mentioned that this concert is going to help your friend who has cancer. What motivated you to start a concert with respect to your friend?
I don’t want him to die. Gusto ko lang siyang tulungan in whatever capacity because this person has been so good to me. Noong tumakas ako papuntang La Union, he was there. Kahit nag-bibike lang kami, upo lang kami sa dagat, kain lang kami ng kung ano ano, but I feel it’s my responsibility to give back. This person, kilala yan ng buong industriya kasi pag merong bagong lumalabas na kanta, siya yung pumupunta sa shows, siya yung nag-sheshare ng mga kanta so I guess this is just my way of helping him. I want him to be safe but his fight has just begun. Gusto kong maramdaman niya na kasama ako every step of the way.
Q: If you have a message to this friend of yours, what would that be?
E: I love you and we’re gonna fight this together. Mas matindi yung laban mo pero lagi ko naman pinapa-alala sayo na di ka namin papabayaan.
Q: Since we are celebrating the anniversary of the SA WAKAS album, what’s your favorite song from that album and why?
E: Meron akong bias na song na that was never chosen as a single, it’s called Insomnia. It’s not the most melodic, it’s not pop, it’s really loud. Noong sinulat ko yun, kiti-kiti ako, ngayon parin naman, so yun siguro, insomnia.
Q: What is your take on PPOP groups today and do you believe that they are noticed more than the veteran artists?
E: PPOP which is modeled after KPOP, worldwide phenomenon kasi yan eh. I think it’s a matter of taste, maliit lang kasi yung mundo eh. Magsuportahan tayo, ganun nalang siguro.
Q: How does it feel to bring back your performances once again on stage?
E: I’m very excited to perform with Mitch again. We have been very good friends, especially after we both left the band. Nag-eenjoy lang kami.
Q: Can we talk about the sense of community in the music scene? Whenever someone needs help, you’re all there for each other. Was it easy to find that sense of belonging in the industry?
E: Yung sense of belongingness, parang medyo matagal bago ko nahanap yung pwesto ko sa mundo but when it comes to commaradirie, hindi alam ng fans na magkakabarkada talaga kami. I’m very good friends with Itchyworms and Parokya ni Edgar, may Viber group ako na nandoon sila Ryan Cayabyab. So we talk all the time and what’s great about musicians is that when you get to know them as people, they’re even more fantastic, so that part’s easy. So if someone needs help, everyone will pitch in because they will do the same to you.
Q: With the sense of belongingness that you mentioned, why is that (not easy)?
E: When we released the first album, it was the era of acoustics, sa left side yon. Tapos sa kanan, it was also the time of great heavy bands. Sila yung hari, so hindi alam ng label kung san kami ilalagay. So sabi namin, ilagay niyo po kami sa gitna. Kami na pong bahala. I think it worked.
Q: Do you still remember the very first time you heard your songs on the radio, does it still light for you when you revisit that moment?
Two radio stations played us. One was RX 93.1, si Fran pa yung nagpatugtog ng kanta namin. But para sa akin yung naaalala ko talaga is si Francis Brew of NU 107 had the show called In the Raw. Parang a week before, he mentioned he was going to feature Sugarfree, tapos ang sama ko kasi lumabas ako sa misa just to hear what he thought about the songs. Pakiramdam ko naman napatawad na ko ni God for that.
Q: Any plans after the SA WAKAS: The Repeat? Will there be a Threepeat? Do you have plans for Holy Week?
E: Threepeat? No na. Tuldukan na siguro natin dito. Plan for Holy Week, balak ko mag-bike ng mahabang-mahaba. I will try to 100km or more during the Holy Week. But new music, I think it’s on the table and I think we need to start planning for my 25th Anniversary and a lot of uncertain and okay lang ako sa uncertainty of it all.
Q: As an artist or creative, what are the challenges of doing a repeat show?
E: That people have seen it already. So the challenge is to bring in something new and I listen to fans when they say, “Bitin naman.” So sige, magdagdag pa tayo ng 5 songs or more. So that’s the primary challenge, I guess. But this is also an opportunity for those who couldn’t go the first time around and for those who sent me letters.
Q: What do you think is the contribution to the growth and popularization of OPM?
E: I think I will let the fans decide kung ano man yung naging contribution namin. Pero as far as I know, our main goal is to write our songs and play them in public. So I think history will judge me based on the songs I wrote but is it my place to say kung ano yung contributions ko.
Q: Why Red Ollero and how do you think will the show proceed given then he’s a comedy act and why a comedy act in the first place?
E: Kausap ko lang siya kahapon eh and I told him my one frustation in life is I really wanted to be a stand up comic at some point in my life pero masyado kasi akong seryoso eh for my own good. Tapos pag nag-jojoke ako, hindi nila alam kung kailan ako seryoso or nagpapatawa. Red has his own magic. I think he’s a fantastic person. What I do during morning is I go to his page and I laugh then I feel like we don’t have to take life too seriously. Chill lang. Enjoy life.
Q: How will this show be different besides the lined-up performers?
E: Other people are joining me on stage aside from Mitch. We’re going to make the venue a little bigger to accommodate more people. I’m hoping the lights are better and not that it was bad the last time but we’re gonna work on the technical aspect of the show. We’re gonna include visuals because we have an LED screen this time. Usually in concerts like this, one month ahead, dapat plantsado na lahat, pero nilalaro-laro pa kasi namin yung pwedeng gawin sa concert. While it’s a concert, we want to treat it as something very intimate na kahit madami or konti yung manonood, parang yun naman yata yung strength ng music na ginawa ko, it’s gotta be intimate however big or small the venue is but we’re gonna tweak things a bit and see where it goes.
Final message:
Ebe Dancel: I’d like to thank you all in advance for helping us promote this show. Kailangang-kailangan ko yung tulong ng media kasi on my own, di naman ako maalam sa social media, so malaking tulong na nandyan kasi. Those who missed out, tickets can go very slowly or very fast so I hope you get yours soon. And very blessed po ako na nandito ako sa harap niyo, sa harap ng fans. That is never lost to me. I hope to see you all at the concert!
