Cup of Joe's Gian Bernardino, Raphaell Ridao, Gab, CJ Fernandez, and Xen Gareza have gone a long way from being a bunch of high school students performing for campus events to being one of the most in-demand OPM bands to date.
At the recent press junket for Tang Refreshing Rave in San Juan, La Union, they happily recalled having that instant connection since their group was formed in 2018.
Their journey began when they got together on stage for "Buwan Ng Wika" at St. Louis University (SLU) in Baguio City.
"We started nung grade twelve kami nung senior high school sa may SLU sa Baguio.
"Parang yung head ng music department ng school, in-invite kaming mag-perform ni Rapha.
"And nung time na yun kaming dalawa lang ang magkasama," said Gabriel, referring to his bandmate Raphaell.
Gabriel and Raphaell have had experience playing for a band called Pink Soda when they were in Grade 11.
"Magkabanda kami. Sumama kami ng Battle of The Band, and natalo kami dun," Gabriel recalled.
So when they were offered to perform at the school event, the two looked for other members who can join them.
Gabriel added, "Isa-isa naming nakita sila Jian, Xen, and CJ."
Armed with their shared love for music, they enjoyed playing cover songs until they decided to release an original song inspired by "a memory of our high school life."
"Tapos yun, unexpectedly nag-hit siya. Tapos, nakarating siya sa mga music labels, tapos na-discover kami ng VIVA."
Juggling their schedule between school and music career proved to be challenging when they were in college.
Elaborating: "Parang medyo mahirap siyang i-balance nung time na yun kasi hirap mag-focus...
"Tapos, ayun, hanggang sa naka-graduate kami, nag-decide kami na mag-focus sa music career namin.
"Ta's here we are now. Yey!"
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GIAN BERNARDINO CHILDHOOD DREAM
Gian, for his part, shared that he has always dreamt of becoming a pop star even as a kid.
"Nung bata ako, pinapaanod ko yung mga singer sa TV sila Sarah G., Yeng Constantino, Celine Dion, Gary V...
"Ever since, sobrang hooked na ako sa idea of performing in front of a big crowd. So, sumasali ako sa mga singing contest, ganun."
Smiling, he continued, "So, ayun, fantasy ko lang talaga nun mag-perform in front of so many people. And, ayun, I guess, hindi ko sinukuan yung pangarap ko na yun.
"I think that's why the universe led me to meeting the four of these guys."
RAPHAELL RIDAO'S MUSICAL INFLUENCE
Raphaell, for his part, grew up listening to Queen and Beatles because of his dad.
His love for music eventually prompted him to pursue it as a hobby or extracurricular activity.
"Sumasali kami sa contests, ganun. Pero not until nakilala ko sila, saka lang pumasok yung idea na pumasok sa music industry.
"Like never in my life na-imagine ko yung sarili ko doing it.
"Pero, ayun, dahil sa kanila, parang nag-broaden yung horizons ko and na-realize ko na, na parang this is something na I can do and I enjoy doing it."
CJ FERNANDEZ FIRST BRUSH WITH MUSIC
Just like his bandmates, CJ also grew up developing a love for music.
"Nag-start ako magkaroon ng interest sa music nung nakita ko lang yung tito ko na nagigi-guitar. Nainggit ako. Gusto kong matuto din. Kaya yun, naging hobby siya.
"Na-inspire din ako makita sa school yung mga nagpa-perform. Parang part of me is craving for that moment na makapa-perform din in front of many people.
"So yun, parang triny ko lang sumama sa bands hanggang sa ma-meet ko sila."
ON SONGS BEING PLAYED EVERYWHERE
Their friendship and shared passion for music paved the way for them to enter the OPM scene.
They enjoyed making music together, letting their Baguio roots and day-to-day lives inspire their songs.
When did they realize that they already made it big?
For CJ, it was hearing their songs being played practically everywhere.
"The first time hearing our song being played in stores or like in a Grab ride or taxi.
"Sabi ko, 'Oh! Sarap pala sa feeling marinig yung songs.' Pero at the same time, nakakailang.
"Ayun, like yung mga moments na yun na hindi mo alam na pine-play na pala siya sa ibang lugar."
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LA UNION GETAWAY
Performing in La Union for the Tang Refreshing Rave event was quite sentimental for them as they remembered having spent a quick getaway for CJ and Rapha's birthdays in the same place last year.
"Nag-rent sila ng BnB na beachfront. Nung nag-speech sila, sabi ni CJ, 'Sobrang salamat nandito kayo,'" Gian animatedly explained as he reenacted how CJ turned emotional at the time.
He went on to say that it was a simple but meaningful quality time for them.
"Dun namin nare-realize na we get to spoil ourselves with those kind of celebrations.
"Hindi tulad nung mga high school kami na nagsio-siomai lang kami sa labas. Tapos dumating na sila sa point na nakaka-rent na sila ng buong bahay. Yihee!"
"Very special din po sa amin. Tapos pangarap din naming mag-by the beach na gig dito sa La Union. So another dream come true."
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UPCOMING MAJOR CONCERT
Now, they are gearing up for Sandali: The Cup of Joe Fest at Philippine Sports Stadium in Bulacan on May 23.
Gian said he didn't expect that they'd be mounting a concert this big before the summer ends.
"Nakaka-proud siya kasi it's really a dream come true for us.
"And we feel like it's not only an event that is meant to magnify our music, but OPM as a whole.
"Kaya tinawag namin siyang music festival kasi we plan on making it an event that celebrates not only our music, but the whole OPM.
"So we're gonna bring out artists na nag-inspire din sa amin. And yung mga kasama naming flag-bearers ng OPM ngayon sa mundo. Kaya yun, abangan niyo po."
The band previously held three sold-out concerts at Araneta Coliseum.
In February, their anthemic song "Multo" was declared as the most-streamed OPM song on Spotify with 500 million streams.
Almost all of their songs from their Silakbo album like "Tingin," "Mananatili," "Estranghero," and "Misteryoso" are big hits.