Spotlight on Lei Bautista of Prettier Than Pink

Lei Bautista of Prettier Than Pink. (Photos by JV DUQUE and WILLE DE VERA)

Growing up in the 90s was such a wonderful and exciting time for a kid. It really was a special time because there were so many local bands that were unique, inspirational, awesome, different and exceptional. The list of local bands to listen to, choose, and support was practically endless.

Almost everywhere you looked there was a local band either on television, in a radio station being interviewed, and of course, their songs being played everywhere else.

How I wish the current young generation now could have experienced those years because whatever excitement they are feeling now with the current crop of indie and mainstream local bands would not even compare to the kinds of local bands that were around in the 90s. It’s like comparing a mountain to an ant hill if you compare the “90’s Pinoy Rock Boom” to what we have now. They are miles apart. That is a fact.

Yet, in this year 2019, I still can’t but help reminisce and fondly look back to those years. And every now and then I make it a mission to reach out to any of those bands from the 90s that I enjoyed listening to their music. Whether I am lucky enough to interview the entire original band line-up or an incarnation of it, or whether I am only able to interview one of the original members, I still feel lucky to be able to do so.

To do so is to reconnect, remember, and recall these local bands that I grew up listening to. It is also to let them know that they are not forgotten in my heart and in the hearts of many others. I want to acknowledge and honor them. I will always care and support OPM and our local bands no matter how old I become. It will forever be one of my passions until I die.

Now, I was lucky enough to reach out and get to interview Lei Bautista who is the original lead vocalist and guitarist of Prettier Than Pink. This all-female local band came from the 90s and grew to fame in that decade because of several hits that are now classic Pinoy Rock songs.

Prettier Than Pink is one of the most beloved local bands of the 90s. They are iconic. And a number of their songs have stood the test of time.

On the record, “Cool Ka Lang” was one of my favorite local songs back then and it is still now. There are qualities to that song that make it charming, appealing, and memorable. And only a band like Prettier Than Pink would have been able to compose and perform a classic song like that.

And so, it is with great excitement that I finally get to interview one of the original members of Prettier Than Pink — and that is vocalist-guitarist Lei Bautista.

1. How old were you when you realized that you wanted to become a musician/artist?

Lei Bautista: I was born into a family of artists so I can’t really say that I came to a “realization.” I was just born an artist. Period. My mom was a commercial and ramp model and danced Hawaiian in the 70s. She continued dancing professionally until I was 4 months in her tummy so dance is in my veins. My dad, on the other hand, gave me the gift of song and was also a well-respected theater actor in Peta and CCP.

At the age of 3, I already performed professionally in a live family show in an amusement park in Japan (talk about child labor ha-ha). I was part of a Polynesian dance company in the 80s performing with the group when I was around 8 years old. In grade school and high school, I was always part of school productions and events either as part of the dance troupe, choir or theater arts club.

I took lessons and classes in piano, ballet, jazz and theater growing up.

While most people get stage fright and may get insecure on stage, it is where I found my peace, comfort, and security.

2. Was Prettier Than Pink the first band you joined? How did you become a part of the band?

Lei Bautista: Yes, it was my first band. It was a nameless girl band in high school formed by an Algebra teacher for “talent night.” I just asked what the easiest instrument was to learn so I could join the band.

Everyone said, “the bass guitar,” and so I learned to play bass. So I asked my male musician friends to teach me to play and practiced every night till my fingers bled and got callouses.

Two days before high school graduation (we were all at an average age of 17 years old), we auditioned for RJ [Ramon Jacinto], knowing only three songs: “Imagine” by the Beatles’ [John Lennon], “Be My Baby” by the Ronettes and “Hold on” by Wilson Phillips.

After our audition, RJ said, “You’re hired!” And the rest is history.

3. What was the local scene like in the 90s? Any special memories that you have held near your heart to this day?

Lei Bautista: The local scene was awesome! Everyone knew everyone. After your own gig, you would go watch other friend’s gigs in Club Dredd or Mayrics, Bistro 70s, etc. Bands used to hang out with each other. It was a closely-knit community. Everyone knew each other before anyone had albums or were famous. Then one by one most bands got signed to a record label and were busy with concerts and festivals.

The music was so unique. Each and every band had their own sound and band image. No two were alike. It was like everyone just wanted to express their own teenage angst. And voila! A unique OPM sound that captured the culture of the 90s was forever etched in the melodies and lyrics of the composers.

Terms like “Tunog Kalye” and “Dekada Nobenta” soon became iconic terms that signified one of the best and most fun eras in local Pinoy music.

4. When did you get signed by a major record label? Do you still remember how you were spotted and/or recruited into becoming a part of the talent roster of the major record label?

Lei Bautista: We got signed around 1994 — 3 years after going professional. I was 20 at the time. Some studio owners came to watch us at our gig and took the chance and let us use their studio for recording during the studio’s downtime. We then sold the album to Neo Records (now Viva Records) and that started us on our music career.

5. Around how long did the first run of Prettier Than Pink last? What led to you girls disbanding/breaking up?

Lei Bautista: Prettier than Pink played professionally for close to 9 years. Ever since we started in 1991, every year band members would come and go to pursue other careers, bands, and dreams. I just kept the PTP alive as much as I could. The band disbanded in 1999 because I decided to migrate to the US. The remaining band members decided to go on separate career paths after that.

6. Aside from being an artist, what other hobbies and interests are you seriously into and can’t do without in your daily life?

Lei Bautista: I can’t think of any other hobbies I might have apart from probably owning two 50 gallon fish tanks. The hobbies I can’t do without are probably eating and watching movies online. Haha

7. What was the first song you composed? Can you tell us about it?

Lei Bautista: The first song I ever composed is called “Hanggang Dito” included in our second album. It’s about two people in love, but it’s a forbidden love. So even if the two are in love they can only be friends. It’s a tragic love story.

8. What are your fondest musical memories? In your house? In your neighborhood or town?

Lei Bautista: Growing up, I was always uplifted by music from the 60s like the Beatles, 80s New Wave music and 90s Seattle grunge sound. I miss the high school dances with DJ spinning nonstop 80s New Wave dance music all night.

9. How do you balance your music with other obligations — husband, children, job?

Lei Bautista: Time management and advance scheduling of activities.

10. Do you teach music?

Lei Bautista: No. I can’t teach music coz I lack the patience for it.

11. What role does your faith play when it comes to your music?

Lei Bautista: Very huge especially since I became a Christian some 22 years ago. Music became more meaningful to me. A deeper way to communicate with the soul, spirit and Abba father. I am currently working on an inspirational album that may be out sometime by the end of this year.

12. Who is Lei Bautista in a nutshell?

Lei Bautista: A free spirit who is on the greatest adventure of her life.

(Editor: Alexander T. Magno)