Silent Sanctuary eyes major concert after signing with Universal Records Philippines

October 17, 2024 | 12:00am

Silent Sanctuary is cooking up a concert following their record deal with Universal Records Philippines.

The rock group, composed of old and new members, namely, Sarkie Sarangay, Anjo Inacay, Allen Calixto, Kim Mirandilla-Ng, Ronnie Ropal, and Poch Villalon, has returned home to their former record label after years of being an independent band.

Sarkie shared at a presscon that they are keen on experimenting with other music genres apart from rock. “We want to explore modern sound without compromising the sound of Silent Sanctuary,” he told The STAR. “Like, for example, we have Poch, who’s into synthesizer, and we started incorporating that into our new songs. Then we have Ronnie, who came from a show band. Marami siyang alam na diskarte sa mga bassline.”

The five-piece collective is behind the songs, Ikaw Lamang, Pasensya Ka Na, Kundiman, Hiling, and Bumalik Ka Na Sa’kin, Sa’Yo, and 14.

Universal Records Philippines managing director Kathleen Dy-Go teased that more collaborations are in the pipeline for the band. She also formally announced that they are preparing for the band’s major concert next year but did not give further details just yet.

“We signed them up in 2007 and we are so happy that they are back again with us. Definitely, stronger and more songs. Malalakas na songs talaga, so I hope you all support Silent Sanctuary,” Kathleen shared.

Vocalist Sarkie said that the band hasn’t reached its peak yet and hopes to release more albums and vinyl in the future, aside from staging their grand solo concert.

The members asked for continued support from their fans, who have been there for them ever since they began.

Sarkie admitted that they had a hard time promoting their music when they became independent in 2018. “We didn’t have a marketing arm (at that time),” recalled Sarkie. “We believe in our music, but we felt that it wasn’t enough to push our releases to be heard by a wider audience. We believe that only a record label could do that. Also, we don’t really post on our social media.”

“Our focus is just songwriting, practice(ing), gig(ging). When you’re in a label, parang naisip mo na legit yung band. Parang professional ka na band when you have a label.”

Poch concurred, “In my two years with the band, I felt that you have better marketing and promotions when you have a label.”

Moreover, Anjo said that they consider it a blessing on how their songs have stayed relevant up to this day since their formation in 2001. “Like 14, it was used in a vlog. We never imagined that it would resurface. I mean that’s a song from 20 years ago. That was our first song that we jammed as Silent Sanctuary with Sarkie.”

“It was really a surprise. We didn’t know that after 20 years, it would become a hit or relevant sa panahon ngayon. And we also talked about this, it feels like may bago kaming hit single every time we play at our gig, kasi inaabangan talaga nung mga kabataan yung mga songs. Sarkie asked (the audience) one time what song they would like to hear, (and the audience responded with), ‘14, 14.’”

“So, in a way, even though we’re not like super engaged on social media today, but I guess our music really speaks for ourselves that maging relevant siya sa mga tao. They could really relate to it,” added Anjo.