UP-born quartet does more than the usual “three-guys-and-a-girl” act. Made up of Irene Tan (vocals), “Monsi” Simon (guitar), “Doc” Urbino (bass), and Nico Pineda (drums), the “three guys” first met in high school where they were together in another band. Over the years, after going in and out of various bands, the boys got back together and formed the bluesy/funk/rock trio “Spud” in early 2003. Around November of the same year, they met and hit it off with Irene during a gig in Intramuros whereafter “the girl” decided to join the group. They chose to give their group the whimsical term “Chubibo” (Filipino for Ferris Wheel), as they want to portray an image they are fun and free-wheeling, much like the carnival ride they were named after. With Irene’s saccharine, ethereal voice and the boy’s heavy instrumentals, the group has compared their sound to that of a cocktail drink “Mudslide”. It may go down sweet like a regular chocolate milkshake, but the vodka gives it a mean after-punch. In early 2005, Chubibo independently released their first EP entitled Ride All You Can which includes four of their original tracks: Insomniac, Patawad, Naguguluhan and a mellowed-down piano version of Nico’s Song. A full-length album is in the works.
