Daryl, Bugoy and Michael’s creative partnership

From left: Michael Pangilinan, Bugoy Drilon and Daryl Ong

It was a 1990’s song that brought them together. So, it was only fitting, Bugoy Drilon, Daryl Ong and Michael Pangilinan said, that they devote their first concert as the pop-R&B trio Budakhel to music they grew up listening to in that decade.

“It all started for us with a simple jamming session—“I Swear” (by All-4-One). And back then, we weren’t really thinking if we were singing a ’90’s song or what. But it has become a significant one for us,” Daryl said at a recent press conference for “Budakhel Live: Best of the ’90s,” which will be held on March 20 at the Newport Perfor­ming Arts Theater.

“When we do songs from our childhood, they bring us back to our high school days … when we used to perform for our classmates,” he recalled.

Prior to their collaborations—which include cover videos and singles of R&B songs—the three recording artists had been pursuing their respective solo careers. They’re all products of different talent searches too: Michael joined “X Factor PH” and “Your Face Sounds Familiar;” Daryl, “The Voice PH” and “Pinoy Pop Superstar;” and Bugoy finished first runner-up in “Pinoy Dream Academy.”

But while they’re all doing pretty well individually, they’re thankful that they crossed paths and were able to build a creative partnership.

“A lot of what we do involves harmonizing and I have been a learning so many things from Daryl. I admire his musicality—his music IQ is just amazing … have always wan­ted to work with him because I know I will get to learn new riffs and runs,” Bugoy said.

When it comes to pumping himself up before a live performance, Bugoy said Michael is his go-to guy. “I have learned to be more confident onstage because of him. He knows how to command attention. The moment he steps out, he has this attitude that says, “Either you watch me or not, this is me,” he related.

Like Bugoy, Michael, who also goes by the nickname Khel, considers Daryl a mentor when it comes to the technical aspects of singing. “To be honest, I don’t really know much about singing second voice. But I get to learn it from him. I also learn just by observing both of them,” he said.

But more importantly, Daryl­ keeps it real. “He’s very honest as an artist. He will tell you straight up if what you’re doing is good or not,” he added.

The thing Michael admires about Bugoy, on the other hand, is the latter’s energy and dedication to his job.

“We all give off different kinds of energy vibe. But with Bugoy, you get the same energy no matter what he’s going through. He performs unlike any other. He’s legit. It doesn’t matter if it’s a small or a big show; if it’s paid or free, Bugoy would still be going around until he’s soaking in sweat—and then do it all over again,” he related.

“And even if he’s sick he can still give a better performance from some who are not,” Michael said.

After performing regularly for the past two years or so, they all have grown clo­ser to each other. They’re not just friends but family. Daryl doesn’t have brothers, but he found his “utols” in Michael and Bugoy.

“Bugoy is like the ‘bunso.’ We try to reassure him that he’s incredibly talented; that he shouldn’t be so hard on himself. Khel, though the youngest, is very mature. His sense of direction in life, his career goals are very clear,” Daryl said. “I’m blessed to have met them in this industry

But while the three are heavily associated with R&B music, their show wouldn’t be limited to that genre. Mounted by Resorts World Manila and KreativeDen, “Budakhel Live” (call 8891-9999) will also feature alternative rock, hip-hop and other styles that became popular during the 1990s.

“Most of interaction with our fans are through comments under our YouTube vi­deos. So perhaps we can have a jamming session where we could take requests from fans,” Daryl said. INQ