2 weeks Ago By N/A (Manila Bulletin Entertainment)
Both bands have not only conquered local shores but have alsodone the Philippines proud time and again by embarking on tour dates and performing at festivals and tour dates in Southeast Asia and the US. Needless to say, when you put together two of the country’s biggest, most-accomplished rock outfits, you’ve got to go for gold: both longtime fans and the artists themselves already know that “the right stuff” has always been there, but there’s definitely an unwavering desire felt by all to push the proverbial envelope even further - to propel the collective stamp of excellence of OPM even further. Which is why the announcement of the first two dates of the Urbandub x Typecast 25th Anniversary Tour 2025 was a landmark occasion for diehard aficionados and supporters from all over the land.
To be held at the famed New Frontier Theater on April 6 and at the Baguio Convention Center on April 12, respectively. Both events—presented by Numinous Philippines and Udub Presents—promise to be significant milestones for rock music, offering a quarter of a century of chart-topping singles, crowd favorites, and live anthems that have helped shape the sound and landscape of Philippine music as we know it today. Hailing from Cebu, Urbandub – comprised of singer/guitarist Gabby Alipe, guitarist John Dinopol, bassist Lalay Lim, guitarist Russell Manaloto, and drummer Sam Saldusong – broke through the barriers of distance and stereotypes by bringing the famed “sound of the south” and establishing an impressive hard-working ethic previously unheard-of in Manila during the early part of the millennium.
The band’s discography – which includes landmark releases like 2001’s Birth, 2003’s Influence, 2005’s Embrace, and 2007's Under Southern Lights – is a wellspring of hit songs that are, arguably, some of the finest ever – and which have crossed over to audiences here and abroad and spanned generations. On the other hand, Laguna-natives Typecast has proven to be the ultimate genre-defining outfit of the millennium. Rising from the depths of the then-fledgling underground punk/hardcore scene of their hometown, singer/songwriter/guitarist Steve Badiola, bassist Chi Ressurecion, guitarist Pakoy Fletchero and drummer Sep Rono re-invented and re-ignited the method and mayhem of emo, and ultimately broke free of the trappings of the genre – with massive cult favorites like “Another Minute Til Ten” (off their 2004 debut full-length The Infatuation is Always There) and the international smash offerings “Will You Ever Learn” and “The Boston Drama,” both from 2006’s Every Moss and Cob Web which catapulted the group to international fame.
Both bands have not only conquered local shores but have also done the Philippines proud time and again by embarking on tour dates and performing at festivals and tour dates in Southeast Asia and the US. “It was no easy feat – staying together for 25 years,” shares Badiola. “Both Typecast and Urbandub have definitely had their ups and downs, but the secret sauce I think, is simply being consistent in everything we do, from rehearsals to shows, being respectful to our beginnings, and keeping up with the new, and incorporating all of it to our sound.
” “We’ve always been a fan of Typecast – their music and as people,” reveals Alipe when asked about the mutual admiration and respect both bands have shared through the years. “We’ve done countless shows with them, and we’ve come to be great friends: we would always look forward to new music from them, and it would inspire us to go out and work on new music as well,” he recounts, and adds, “as a band, Urbandub was the kind of group that just took things one day at a time – the real enjoyment is creating and playing music, so I guess that helped us last this long.” Tickets to both shows are still on sale, and interested parties can go online to Ticketnet for the April 6 show at the New Frontier Theater.
Fans from the north can purchase via Ticketmelon for the April 12 show at the Baguio Convention Center. An SVIP Package – which includes access to soundcheck performances, a 25th Anniversary Loot Bag, and a limited edition shirt collaboration that allows early entry to the New Frontier Theater - will be made available to a limited number of patrons who can avail by messaging [email protected] , while the Baguio leg of the tour will feature special guests Greyhoundz and hometown heroes Amateurish and an afterparty event at Hardin Resto Cafe at The Camp right after the show. Paolo Valenciano will direct the Manila show.
Both shows are presented by Numinous Philippines and Udub Presents in partnership with TTP Events, Variant Productions, and Daybreak Entertainment Media. Special thanks to JB Music, Tribal Gear, Wrangler PH, D&D Custom Guitars, and Johnnie Walker..
