MANILA, Philippines – It may be an unlikely choice for a name of a band. Perhaps it is even more appropriate on a Russian tennis player, or an up-and-coming female starlet. Or a gay support group even. But it worked because people became curious. Who – or what – is Tanya Markova?

Tanya Markova is that cross-dressing, make-up wearing, all-male band whose name is an anagram of the Ilocano words “natay” (dead) and “karovam” or “karubam” (neighbor). So Tanya Markova stands for dead neighbor!

The haunting continues with the band members’ aliases: vocalists Harlon Agsaoay is Norma Love and Gel del Pilar is Iwa Motors, keyboardist Jasper Borbajo is Heart Abunda, drummer Edu Broce is Rufa Mae Milby, guitarist EJ Guevarra is Jennylyn Sucaldito, second guitarist Florante Sabas is Rez Curtis, bassist Francis Chavez is Skrovak Iskopanjo, and Philip Alejandro is Mowmow, the back-up singer/official comic relief and entertainer.

“Since hindi kami pogi, nag-disguise na lang kami,” quips Gel del Pilar. “Marami na ang nagsabi na gimik lang siya. Pero since day one ng Tanya Markova, up to now, in character kami palagi. Never kaming nag gig or radio guesting na walang makeup. Marami na sigurong nakaisip ng idea namin, pero kami lang ang naglakas loob na gawin ‘yun. So tinuloy namin. Kapalan lang ng mukha.”

HORROR MOVIE FANS

Taking inspiration from suicide rock artist Marilyn Manson, the band members play their female alter-egos to the hilt.

“We’re all horror movie fans. Di ba sa mga horror movies laging babae ang nakakatakot, kaya ang character alter ego namin mga babae. And in a way, we defied ‘yung stereotyping na rocker with tattoo and wearing all black. Ok, I’ll wear a skirt, pero musikero ako, rocker ako,” explains Harlon Agsaoay.

The band’s main men, Gel and Harlon, are Philosophy major graduates from San Beda College.

SHOCK POP WORLD

There was no question from the start that Tanya Markova would be different from other bands because of their songs’ catchy light pop melodies and scary but cute lyrics.

Take in the ghoulish lyrics of the hit songs such as “Picture Picture,” “Disney,” and “Linda Blair,” and you’ll probably already get an idea what their music is all about.

By now, listeners are familiar with the words “Lagot ka na, ang kamera may mahika. Ano ang lohika kung ba’t nahilo ka. Mekaniko si Moniko ng makina ni Monica...” from the first single “Picture Picture”.

Even kids sing along to them, like nursery rhymes.

Tanya Markova made such a huge impact since they launched that first single this year from their self-titled debut album under MCA Music, taking many to their whimsical, shock pop world.

Similarly, the local music industry took notice. The band recently won the NU Rock Award for Best New Artist, Best Live Act, and Best Music Video for “Disney.”

“Nagugulat kami na madalas patugtugin sa mga radio stations ‘yung mga kanta namin, pati ‘yung video. When we write songs, we usually get our inspiration from horror movies. Kung ano ang makita naming kakaiba at surreal. ‘Yung concept namin dark yet pop-ish. Hindi namin in-expect na maririnig namin ‘yung kanta namin na kinakanta ng mga bata. Ang target talaga namin mga bata,” relates Harlon.

POP LOVE

It was in one of those drinking sessions when Harlon and Gel thought of forming the band. In 2006, they finally completed the band line-up, scouring talents from as far as Isabela, Pangasinan, Bacolod and Leyte.

Tanya Markova gradually developed a fan base as a result of word of mouth and constant gigs around Metro Manila.

Regardless of the differences in musical influences like Sepultura, Nightwish, Cradle of Filth, Weezer, Ash, Perfume, Club 8, Sondre Lerche, Bone Thugs and Harmony, Type O Negative, The Cardigans, Mocca, The Cure, Beach Boys, River Maya and Eraserheads, they are all bound by their love for one type of music – pop.

“Kaya nga nabuo ang banda, out of friendship and our common love for pop music. Sobrang tight na kami as friends. Dati magkakasama pa kami sa isang bahay,” says Harlon.

Likewise, the band has become a hit most especially among students, constantly being invited in school events and college fairs.

BEYOND NOVELTY

It would be easy to dismiss Tanya Markova as yet another novelty act that would disappear as quickly as they entered the music scene, but they have proven that their appeal cuts across class and genre.

“We’re thankful na nakakagawa kami ng ganung mga kanta. At sana makagawa pa kami ng mas marami. I don’t think our stage persona overshadows our music. Actually ‘yung single namin na ‘Picture Picture,’ mas sikat siya kaysa sa pangalan ng banda. ‘Yung stage presence namin, added ingredient na lang siya kung manonood ka,” says Gel.

Tanya Markova’s noble goal is to bring back the popularity of OPM music.

“Maraming indie bands na magagaling, kaya sana maibalik ang OPM. And it’s nice to hear that these bands are exploring different kinds of music. I think that’s the secret. Huwag isang form lang of music. Darating ang time na ang makakabasa nito, mas magaling pa sa amin at luluhod kami dun,” ends Gel.