Though most of their ilk would have cringed at the mere idea of it, indie band Syato bravely trod a path rarely taken—if at all—by covering a Jolina Magdangal song.

“Laging Tapat,” a radio hit for Magdangal a few years ago, is the first of many singles that endeared Jolina to the masses including “Kapag Ako Ay Nagmahal,” “Mahal Mo Ba Ako,” and “Tameme.”

Syato said its recognizability prompted them to do a version.

“It’s very ‘masa’ and quite a hit back in the day,” said Syato's bassist and band leader Yugel Losorata.

Beyond banking on the built-in popularity of “Tapat,” however, is Syato’s ethos of “thriving in unpredictability.”

“We thought many people would think it unlikely for us to do—which made it all the more appealing.”

Is he concerned about Magdangal's reaction to their remake?

“I hope she likes it. We certainly would love to perform the song with her,” he said.

Syato's “Laging Tapat” will be included in a forthcoming compilation album under Star Records.  

Meanwhile, the band launched their sophomore CD "Sticking By” at Padi's Point, Cubao, on July 28.  

Distributed by Zone 7 for Candid Records, the songs in the new CD have deeper lyrics and more sonic interplays than Syato’s seminal hits “Scorpio” and “Kailanman” from a couple of years back.   

Losorata said he writes songs based on real life experience. As example, the story of the album’s promotional single, “Tibo” – that of a guy who falls in love with a lesbian -- happened to Syato’s lead vocalist, Mark Villagomez.  

The second single of “Sticking By” titled “Panaginip Lamang” has just been released. Another track from the album, “Jeddah Queen,” was also remixed ala-club music by balikbayan producer Mike Lumba.

Interestingly, “Jeddah Queen” is about a Filipina who was caught on tape having sex with an Arab (not her husband) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in the 80s.

“Yes, it preceded the Hayden-Halili videotape scandal and all the rest,” said Losorata. “I’m yet to find a copy of that Jeddah tape though – still looking.”

Veering toward the next subject -- that of being an indie band -- Losorata turned serious.

“Being an indie act is like going to a gun fight with blank bullets. Still, we push on because we feel we have songs that should be heard. God-willing, and through sheer determination, we hope to get through this alive.” 

The other members of Syato are drummer Arly La Guardia and guitarists JM Delos Santos and Elmer Sandig.

The group, supported in part by Mossimo Music, Lucida dietary supplement, Joel Mendez clinic, and RJ Guitars, will tour Padi’s Point branches this August and September.

These are in Biñan, Laguna, on Aug. 1; Mall of Asia, Aug. 6; Starmall (Alabang), Aug. 7; Novaliches, Aug. 13; Las Piñas, Aug. 14; Araneta Coliseum, Aug. 20; Baguio, Aug. 28; Dagupan, Aug. 29; Avenida, Sept. 18; and EDSA Shaw, Sept. 30.