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Manomano Band - Bio, Albums, Songs and Lyrics - OPM Filipino Music

The History of Manomano Band

Manomano band is a Filipino, funky band, commencing from Cebu. Composed of 5 members, they drew their influences from the likes of Maroon5, Apo, Jamiroquai, Incubus, Guns N Roses, Red Hot Chili Pepper, Yano, Duran Duran, Smooth Friction and Scrambled Eggs. Manomano likely means square fight or justice.

Manomano band is composed of five members. Mano Sunico is the band’s vocalist and composer, Momoi as the rhythm guitaris, Deloi is on the lead guitar, Miko on bass and Zaryo as the band’s drummer. Each guy is different from the rest with regards to their attitudes, likes and dislikes. But as music come in, they shared the same wavelengths, visions and directions.

This funky band started from Cebu when Mano Sunico and Mike Mejorada met. The two first met and performed together in a dance group while still in Surigao province, studying high school. The initially formed a dance group to attract girls. Then, they eventually moved to college in Cebu and realized that male dancers in Manila were uncool, thus, they switched their interest into singing. After joining several bands, they decided to form their own band. Mano write songs in pure Bisaya, the only language Mano is fluent into. The band made a rocky start and immediately, two members left the band.

The group went into hiatus and the musicians into hibernation. After studying college, Mano worked a visualizer in an advertising agency while Mike is an architect in Manila.

Just like any unrequited passion, Mano decided to pick his music up and made extra effort. Since, he needed Tagalog songs; he devoured Tagalog comics and tabloids, watched TV endlessly for 6 months and finally started writing.

With 11 songs in a demo, Mano went to Manila and reunited with Momoi. They submitted their demo to three major labels who expressed their interests. The two went to work, Mano on Cebu and Momoi on buildings, with much hope they waited. They waited and waited and with no response, they somehow accepted their fate.

The band was officially organized on May 2004, complete in line-up. On December of the same year, Mano met band manager, Ann Angala as she was visiting Cebu and received a CD from him upon on her return to Manila. Vic Valenciano, Sony BMG’s A and R director, went to Cebu and Mano gave him the CD which got off his feet.

At last, on March 2006, they got their once in a lifetime chance to release its debut album. Manomano band released its first solo album entitled Ladies First under Sony BMG Music Entertainment. The album’s concept is all about the women in their lives or women they have known. The album produced a ground-breaking single, Bigay na Bigay as its carrier single. The second released single from the album is named Nene, which is all about the tale of a young runaway stripper being called back home. Nene reminds famous compositions of Freddie Aguilar, Anak and Magdalena.

The group became a finalist in the Best Performance By A New Group Recording Artists Category for the song Nene of the 20th Annual Awit Awards, held last 2007.

After one year since the release of their album, both the guitarists left the band and the remaining three; Mano, Miko and Zaryo stood out strong as one. Different guitarists played with them until permanent ones were recruited and changed their band name. And that’s another story.