The hardest part about being an indie band is to survive in the battle’s realm and to be consistently creative and keep rolling out songs people will sing in the shower. And then there’s the challenge of keeping the band together. In the local music scene, Mithi, a six-legged band with PAT Palustre (vocals), GEC Pobre (2nd guitar/chiefsongwriter), JONAH Ruiz (drums and percussion) ROLAN Bagatua (flute), RIGIL Borromeo (lead guitar) and GENO Garcia (bass), in which the first four are Thomasians taking up courses in Conservatory of Music, though somewhat varied in influences would still be bounded in the name of this often misconstrued abstract called “PASSION”. ‘Nagkakaisa kami sa aming miniMITHI’
The band played for the Grand Launching of Basta Tomasino Advocacy Campaign held last September 18, 2009 at the Albertus Magnus Building which aims to promote the individuality of every Thomasian and on how they should steer in unity the core values of the University of Santo Tomas—Compassion, Competence and Commitment.
Mithi continues on proving that dreams do come true. Its inception last September 28, 2005 served as a warning shot that a rising star is now on for the blast of their talents and is ready to face the challenges in the music arena. “Perseverance to pursue your dreams,” says Gec when asked about the influences they could contribute for the Thomasians. “Mahirap kasi magpenetrate sa USTe, lalo na Indie band kami,” adds Jonah. They’ve also mentioned that it wasn’t an easy race, from a 7-piece band down to 6, they even got to the point that they were dismayed about what’s taking place on the band’s status. Patriotism—that’s one tenet they were shooting for.
In June 2008, MITHI won as the grand champions at EBanda Eskwelahan Battle of the Bands in Eat Bulaga and was nominated for the NU rock awards for best university band ’08. Still, standing by the goal since the day they started and persisting on with their “miniMITHI”.
Here we can finally conclude by saying,
Basta Tomasino…
“Binabaha ng talents!”—Pat Palustre on vocals
Kudos to you!
-Deniece Erika Pineda
