Bio

This funky band based in Cebu had its start when lead singer / songwriter Mano Sunico and guitarist Mike Mejorada first met and performed together while still in high school in Surigao province. Music was the boys first love and after joining a couple of other bands, they decided to form one their own. But things got off to a rocky start when almost immediately two members decided to leave the band. Because of this the band went on hiatus till replacements could found, which fortunately they managed to do so. The band's current line up now includes Mano (mic n pen), Momoi and Deloy(guitarist), Miko(bass) and ZaryoDrums). Aside from live performances at venues such as Kahayag Cafe and Handuraw in Cebu, the group have managed to record their debut album "Ladies First", which is about the women in their lives or women they have known. One of the song from the album which critics raved about is "Nene", which is about the often told tale of a young runaway turned stripper being called back home. While the lyric and style of singing may bring to mind Freddie Aguilar's Magdelena or Anak, the use of drums, guitars and base reveals musical influences such as Jamiroquai, Maroon 5 and Incubus. About their music and album: When Manomano’s debut single “Bigay na Bigay” played in the airwaves, listeners couldn’t help but get infected with its groovy arrangement and catchy lyrics, “Hawak-hawak lang sa kamay at minsan-minsan lang na ako ay makaakbay; ngayon ay di na mapalagay, isang tingin ko lang ika’y bigay na bigay.” They must have found something different about this band and their music. It is not the usual band song they usually hear or listen to. After their single “Bigay na Bigay”, they release another single entitles “Nene”. It is about a down-and-out girl, a classic tale of female stripper, told in masterpiece of words and music. Just like “Bigay na Bigay”, “Nene” also hits radio stations. And in fact, this second single made them more known to the people, to the point that they call the band as “Nene”. But these are just an icing on the cakes as Manomano re-introduces funk in the alternative scene with their 11-track debut album “Ladies First.” The band pays tribute to women with songs that tackle relationships, women’s issues, moods, changes and, other female-related stuff. It also includes the head bobbing tune, “Maria”, the visually poignant “Lason, which is about a woman possessing special powers to attract any male she fancied; Pinoy pop rap “Mannequin”; a couple of dance tunes “Ate” and “Heaven”, a switch to the dark sound of “Blade”, one of the two English songs of the album; moving on the easier rhythms of “Playground”; and finally, the tear jerking “Happy Birthday To Me.” Listening from their two singles, the Cebuano band strikes again and here comes the time of OFW to be heard, for us to know the life of our love ones, relatives, and friends outside the country. So watch out for their latest single “Sulat” on the album “LADIES FIRST”, out in CDs at record stores released under Sony BMG Music Entertainment.[hr]