# Pebble House, Vol. 1: Kuwaderno

Pebble House, Vol. 1: Kuwaderno is the second studio album by Filipino indie folk/folk pop band Ben&Ben. It features 12 tracks written in Filipino, including six collaborations with other Filipino artists. The album was released on 29 August 2021 under Sony Music Philippines. All tracks in this album were included on Spotify's Top 200 chart in three days, seven of which were included on the Top 100 charts of the same music streaming platform.

## Background

In April 2021, a few months after topping Spotify's list of most streamed artists in the Philippines, Ben&Ben announced that they would take a break from live performances and start recording their second album. Ben&Ben announced on social media that they will be releasing their second album on 29 August 2021. The album was then announced as being titled Pebble House, Vol. 1: Kuwaderno.

### Collaborations

Ben&Ben announced on social media that they will be collaborating with 6 other OPM artists for their second album.
On 28 July 2021, it was announced that Moira Dela Torre was the first collaborator of the album. It is the second time Ben&Ben collaborated with dela Torre after "Paalam," a song featured in Moira's album "Patawad."
More than a week later, via Twitter spaces, it was revealed that Munimuni were the second collaborators of the album.
On 17 August 2021, through Facebook live, it was revealed that Chito Miranda, the lead singer-songwriter for the band Parokya ni Edgar, was the third collaborator of the album.
Two days later, it was revealed that Juan Karlos Labajo and Zild Benitez were the fourth collaborators of the album.
On 22 August 2021, a week before the release of the album, it was announced that KZ Tandingan was the fifth collaborator of the album.
A day after, it was revealed that SB19 were the final collaborators of the album. It is the second time Ben&Ben collaborated with SB19 after "Mapa (Band Version)," a rendition from SB19's digital single.

### Singles

The first single "Upuan" was released on 7 May 2021. Paolo and Miguel shared that they started writing the song in a hotel room in Dumaguete while they were on tour for their debut album.
   "Upuan" is a song that describes the palpable romantic tension that arises from friendships that are formed by sitting next to each other.
Paolo & Miguel Guico, NME (May 2021)
A week later, the second single "Magpahinga" was released. Ben&Ben revealed that the song was dedicated to the victims of COVID-19. Paolo shared that the song was written when their sister got the disease.
   "Magpahinga" was written when our sister got COVID-19 more than a month ago.It was one of the toughest times for our family. In the middle of these dark days, in the middle of these battles we silently fight, may we remember that it's okay to rest
Paolo Guico, on the song "Magpahinga", Twitter
The third single "Pasalubong" was released on 29 July 2021, more than two months after releasing the second single. In collaboration with fellow Filipino artist Moira Dela Torre, the song is inspired by its double meaning, which refers to gifts presented by homecomers, and could also mean "to meet."
   "Pasalubong" is a song that will certainly bring up all kinds of feelings, and hopefully will give people comfort in knowing that they aren’t alone in their frustration and longing.
Ben&Ben, on the song "Pasalubong", The Philippine Star
A couple of weeks later, the fourth single titled "Sugat" was released. Written by the band's percussionist Toni Muñoz and vocalist Paolo Guico, in collaboration with fellow indie folk band Munimuni, "Sugat" is a song that reflects on healing after facing the emptiness of loss.
   When Toni first presented the song as it was at the time to the band, Paolo immediately thought of a chorus section to address and accompany the message of the verses. It was the deeply personal experiences of both Toni and Paolo that made "Sugat" such a powerful song of self-healing and overcoming past wounds.
Ben&Ben, on the song "Sugat", Rappler
Over two months since the album's release, "Lunod" was released as its fifth single. As part of Pebble House’s track list in collaboration with Zild Benitez and Juan Karlos Labajo (who, both in the album and single, are credited as Zild and juan karlos respectively), "Lunod" takes on a rock opera-esque reflection on mental health.
   The song is narrated as the band, with Zild and Juan Karlos, move deeper and deeper into the tunnel slowly—losing breath, then in the latter half taking powerful strides to move out of it. This signals a ‘rebirth’ into a new, more mature version of the self.
Paolo Benjamin, on the song "Lunod", Inquirer

## Digital concert

On 10 October 2021, Ben&Ben announced a digital concert based on tracks on this album, scheduled on 5 December 2021. Branded as Kuwaderno, this digital concert was staged at the Smart Araneta Coliseum and was streamed on the live streaming digital platform KTX.ph.
Later on 30 January 2022, the digital concert was made available again on the GigaPlay app of Smart Communications.

## Track listing

All songs were written by Paolo Guico and Miguel Guico except where noted.
* ↑ The song is performed by Toni Muñoz, one of the song's writers and the band's percussionist.

## Personnel

* Miguel Benjamin Guico – lead vocals, acoustic guitar
* Paolo Benjamin Guico – lead vocals, acoustic guitar
* Poch Barretto – lead guitar, backing vocals ("Sugat")
* Jam Villanueva – drums
* Agnes Reoma – bass
* Patricia Lasaten – keyboards
* Toni Muñoz – percussion, lead vocals ("Sugat", "Sabel", "Ilang Tulog Na Lang"), backing vocals ("Pasalubong")
* Andrew de Pano – percussion, backing vocals
* Keifer Cabugao – violin, backing vocals

### Additional personnel

* Chito Miranda - co-lead vocals ("Swimming Pool")
* Moira Dela Torre - co-lead vocals ("Pasalubong")
* Zild and Juan Karlos - co-lead vocals ("Lunod")
* KZ Tandingan - co-lead vocals ("Sabel")
* SB19 - co-lead vocals ("Kapangyarihan")
* Munimuni - co-lead vocals ("Sugat")
* Manila String Machine - violin instrumentals ("Elyu")
* Karen Dela Fuente, Karelle Bulan, and Isobel Funk - creative directors
* Jean-Paul Verona - producer
* Sam Marquez - co-producer
* Leon Zervos - mastering

## Accolades

Awards and nominations for Pebble House, Vol. 1: Kuwaderno :
| Year | Organization | Award | Result |
| 2021 | NME Awards | Best Asian Album | Nominated |
| 2022 | Wish 107.5 Music Awards | Wish Song Collaboration of the Year (for Lunod) | Won |
| 2022 | Wish 107.5 Music Awards | Wish Song Collaboration of the Year (for Sugat) | Nominated |
| 2022 | Awit Awards | Album of the Year | Won |
| 2022 | Awit Awards | Song of the Year (for Pasalubong) | Nominated |
| 2022 | Awit Awards | Favorite Song of the Year (for Pasalubong) | Nominated |
| 2022 | Awit Awards | Favorite Song of the Year (for Upuan) | Nominated |
| 2022 | Awit Awards | Best Rock/Alternative Recording (for Swimming Pool) | Nominated |
| 2022 | Awit Awards | Best Rock/Alternative Recording (for Lunod) | Nominated |
| 2022 | Awit Awards | Best Ballad Recording (for Pasalubong) | Nominated |
| 2022 | Awit Awards | Best Performance by a Group Recording Artist (for Upuan) | Nominated |
| 2022 | Awit Awards | Best Collaboration (for Sugat) | Nominated |
| 2022 | Awit Awards | Best Collaboration (for Lunod) | Nominated |
| 2022 | Awit Awards | Best Collaboration (for Kapangyarihan) | Nominated |
| 2022 | Awit Awards | Best Collaboration (for Sabel) | Won |
| 2022 | Awit Awards | Best World Music Recording (for Sabel) | Won |
| 2022 | Awit Awards | Best Traditional/Contemporary Folk Recording (for Sugat) | Nominated |
| 2022 | Awit Awards | Best Musical Arrangement (for Upuan) | Won |
| 2022 | Awit Awards | Best Musical Arrangement (for Lunod) | Nominated |
| 2022 | Awit Awards | Best Music Video (for Lunod) | Won |
| 2022 | Awit Awards | Best Engineered Recording (for Lunod) | Nominated |