Sugarfree

It’s a big achievement for any band to last a decade. The trio of Sugarfree led by topnotch singer-songwriter Ebe Dancel finds it fitting to celebrate its ten years in the business with a return engagement with the Manila Symphony Orchestra. The second night of the orchestral rock concert simply dubbed “Dekada” happens later at the Music Museum in San Juan.

It can be recalled that the band already did this type of thing in 2007, with the same venue and back-up band and which eventually became a live double disc album released last year. The repeat gig is expected to be packed with die-hard Sugarfree fans again.

Ebe, along with bassist Jal Taguibao and drummer Kaka Quisumbing, just released its latest studio album “Mornings and Airports” featuring 14 songs mostly written by himself. Carrier single is “Hay Buhay” which opens the artistically packaged CD emphasized by a passport-like sleeve.

“I’m a songwriter above everything else,” said Ebe during an interview session with music writers to promote this album. He was referring to his recent routine of performing without guitar, prompting him to rate himself as the least good instrumentalist among members of the band.

If that is so, he is sure compensating it with his superb talent at writing tunes and street-smart lyrics. His gift has already produced some of the finest alternative pop rock OPMs to date such as “Hari Ng Sablay,” “Mariposa,” “Telepono,” “Dear Kuya,” “Tulog Na,” and “Kung Ayaw Mo Na Sa Akin.” The magic list is bound to continue with the current release still loaded numbers that can easily grab today’s listening Pinoy youth.

Incidentally, three of the tracks have the word “wala” in the title: “Wala Nang Hihilingin,” “Wala,” and “Walang Paalam.” All three are standout tracks and definitely “have” the kick to become memorable Sugarfree tunes.

Other Dancel songs in the album are “Feels Like,” “Hangover,” “Pagkatapos Ng Lahat,” “Mamang Driver,” “Heto Na Naman Tayo,” and the title track which is inspired by the fact that for the past three years at least, the band has found themselves “stealing catnaps in nearly every airport around the country en route to their next destination.”

Unlike in the previous album “Tala-Arawan,” “Mornings and Airports” features the other two members contributing to the writing. Taguibao offers “Patawad” and “Form Factor” while Quisumbing co-wrote “Get Over It” and “Where Do We Go.”

Behind the producing work for the album are respected rock figures Sancho Sanchez and Buddy Zabala of the famed Eraserheads who is heard playing guitar and keyboards in few of the tracks.

Fittingly, Ebe, fourth in a brood of six, was recently given a plaque as “Favorite Son” or by the mayor of his hometown in Isabela. “That’s something I’d remember for the rest of my life,” he pointed out.

To be recognized for his musical achievement is really something for Ebe who recalls that he was then considered an underachiever in the family, being title-less. That was before he formed Sugarfree.