Ben&Ben

Promotional photo for "Kwaderno"

**Ben&Ben**, formerly known as **The Benjamins**, is a 9-members band under Sony Music Philippines. They officially debuted in late 2016 with their first EP *Ben&Ben*.

## Career

### 2015 - 2016 Band History, Formation and Debut EP

Prior to its formation as a band, the Guico twins, Paolo Benjamin and Miguel Benjamin Guico (then known as The Benjamins) were best known for writing the single "Tinatangi" (interpreted by Bayang Barrios and Cooky Chua featuring The Benjamins), which won 2nd runner up and Best Music Video at the PhilPop Music Festival in 2016.

They formally changed their name in 2016 to Ben&Ben, a homage to their surname. The duo released their debut EP in late 2016, signing with major record label Warner Music Philippines.

Expanding as an ensemble, the group became a 9-piece band on May 10, 2017, adding Poch Barreto on electric guitar, Jam Villanueva on drums, Agnes Reoma on bass, Patricia Lasaten on keyboards, Toni Muñoz and Andrew de Pano on percussions and back up vocals, and Keifer Cabugao on violin.

### 2018–present: Rise through singing soundtracks

In 2018, the band rose to fame appearing in soundtracks for popular Philippine films, including new singles and collaborations, most notably "Susi" for the movie Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral and "Maybe the Night" for the movie Exes Baggage.They composed a song, "Balik-Balikan" for the music program Coke Studio Homecoming together with Sam Concepcion. In the same program, Ben&Ben also covered a classic Sam Concepcion and Tippy Dos Santos song, as well as the grand winning Philpop single "Dati" for Coke Studio Homecoming Season 2. Ben&Ben performed in the 2018 Toyota Music Fest which was held at Filinvest City Events Grounds in Alabang, Muntinlupa. Included in the music festival's line up are bands like IV Of Spades, December Avenue, Parokya Ni Edgar, Hale, Sponge Cola, 6cyclemind, Callalily, Silent Sanctuary, Rivermaya, Cueshé, The Ransom Collective, and Eraserheads' lead vocalist, Ely Buendia.

### 2019: Critical success with Limasawa Street

**Debut album : *Limasawa Street***
Ben&Ben announced that they will be releasing their debut album in May 2019 after topping various streaming platforms and radio charts with hit singles “Kathang Isip,” “Ride Home” and “Maybe the Night”. “Limasawa Street” is derived from the Butuanon word "Masawa" meaning light and is also the name of a street. Limasawa Street would win the Awit Award for Favorite Album of the Year.

Ben&Ben would also attempt acting, starring in the 2019 Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino music film, LSS (Last Song Syndrome) alongside Gabbi Garcia and Khalil Ramos. 10 original songs were featured in the film, namely "Ride Home," "Branches," "Leaves," "Kathang Isip," "Bibingka," "Fall," "Maybe The Night," "Mitsa," "Araw-Araw," "Sunrise," and "Pagtingin". For these songs, Ben&Ben received positive response, with "Araw-Araw" winning Best Original Song at Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino Awards and "Branches" winning Awit Award for Best Folk Recording.

In August 2019, it was announced that Ben&Ben will be performing in the 2019 edition of the Clockenflap, an annual music and arts festival held in Hong Kong. Including in the line up are artists like Halsey and Lil Pump, and bands like The Kooks and Mumford & Sons. They covered a new classic cover of the Jose Mari Chan hit Beautiful Girl in 2019. In November 2019, during the National Geographic Explorers Festival in Singapore, Ben&Ben became the first Filipino band to be named as #PlanetorPlastic ambassadors for Asia.

### 2020: Concerts, charity events

Ben&Ben was scheduled to perform in the 2020 edition of South by South West music festival, but the music festival was officially cancelled on March 6 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the result of an order by the city of Austin.

After being tapped to sing the opening theme of the 2020 Philippine television drama series Make It With You, Ben&Ben, together with fellow Sony Music artists like Eric Chou, Kelly Cheng, Wafa, NYK, Benjamin Kheng, Narelle Kheng, Sezairi Sezali, Hà Lê, E.Viewz, Fatin Shidqia, Jocelyn C, Phil Lam, Jason Chan & Cath Wong, took part in a regional collaboration expressing solidarity and support for those affected by the outbreak of iCOVID-19 Coronavirus. All proceeds from the song will be donated to relief efforts by Han Hong Love Charity Foundation.

On March 27, 2020, Ben&Ben held an online concert "Puhon!" (Bisaya: "Hopefully") for the benefit of the frontliners battling the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). The project aims to raise ₱5 million in donations as an initiative to bring people together to combat COVID-19 in the Philippines by providing a timely and coordinated response to affected communities, and by building a network of courage and inspiration through stories and music.

In April, following a peak at the 29th spot in Billboard's Top 50 Social chart, Ben&Ben announced on social media that they will be releasing their first international single "Doors". On April 18, 2020, the band had another online fundraising concert on their YouTube channel.

On September 24, 2020, it was announced that the Ben&Ben are performing in the Philippine segment of YouTube FanFest to be held virtually in YTFF's YouTube channel on October 11. They will be performing alongside SB19, Alodia Gosiengfiao, and other Filipino and global YouTubers.

On October 4, 2020, Ben&Ben held another online concert for the benefit of students and teachers adjusting to online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. The online concert were streamed simultaneously in both the band's Facebook page and YouTube channel. Initiated to raise funds for teachers and students through personal protective equipment, vitamins and supplies. As of October 5, 2020, the band raised ₱600,000 in donations.

On October 30, 2020, the band announced a "new era" to come on November 6.

## Discography

* "Ride Home" (2017)
* "Leaves" (2017)
* "Kathang Isip" (2017)
* "Maybe the Night" (2017)
* "Sunrise" (2018)
* "Branches" (2018)
* "Ours" (2018)
* "Mitsa (Salamat)" (2019)
* "Araw-Araw" (2019)
* "Pagtingin" (2019)
* "Masyado Pang Maaga" (2019)
* "Sa Susunod na Habang Buhay" (2020)
* "Doors" (2020)
* "Lifetime" (2020)
* "Nakikinig Ka Ba Sa Akin" (2020)
* "Di Ka Sayang" (2020)
* "Inevitable" (2021)
* "Upuan" (2021)
* "Magpahinga" (2021)
* "Pasalubong" (2021)
* "Sugat" (2021)
* "MAPA" (2021)
* "Cheap Love" (2021)

Remake singles* "Dati" (2018)

Features* "Paalam" (2019)

OSTs* *Susi OST* (2016)
* *Make It With You OST* (2020)

Special singles* "Forever Beautiful: All for One Version" (2020)

EPs* "**Ben&Ben**" (2016)

Studio albums* "Limasawa Street" (2019)
* "Pebble House, Vol. 1: Kuwaderno" (2021)

## Gallery

### Promotional

"Sa Susunod na Habang Buhay"Di Ka Sayang""Upuan" (1)"Upuan" (2)"Upuan" (3)"Upuan" (4)"MAPA""Pasalubong" (1)"Pasalubong" (2)"Sugat" (1)"Sugat" (2)"Pebble House, Vol. 1: Kuwaderno" (1)"Pebble House, Vol. 1: Kuwaderno" (2)"Pebble House, Vol. 1: Kuwaderno" (3)"Pebble House, Vol. 1: Kuwaderno" (4)"Pebble House, Vol. 1: Kuwaderno" (5)"Pebble House, Vol. 1: Kuwaderno" (6)
### Pictorial

"Uniquilo""Wonder Mag" (1)"Wonder Mag" (2)

## Official Links

* Facebook
* Instagram
* TikTok
* Twitter
* YouTube
* Website