Close Your Eyes and Picture This...
It's 1994. You're squeezing through the packed, smoke-filled entrance of Club Dredd in Manila. The air is thick with excitement, cigarette smoke, and the unmistakable energy of the underground alternative scene. Your friends are shouting over the din, pulling you toward the stage where guitars are being tuned and amps are humming. Then the lights drop.
A spotlight hits the stage, and there she is—Cooky Chua. Black leggings, simple black top, no makeup, no pretense. Just pure, raw presence. She grabs the mic, takes a swig from her bottle of Emperador, and when she opens her mouth, that raspy, brandy-soaked voice cuts through the crowd like lightning. The band kicks in behind her, and you're not just watching a performance—you're witnessing the birth of a legend. Everyone around you is transfixed. This isn't your typical Manila band. This is Color It Red, and they're about to change everything you thought you knew about Filipino alternative rock.
That was the magic of Color It Red in their heyday. And friend, if you missed it the first time around, or if you're just discovering them now, buckle up. You're in for one hell of a ride.
Who is Color It Red?
Let me tell you about one of the most criminally underrated bands in Philippine music history. Color It Red was formed on September 8, 1989, by three high school girls—Cooky Chua, Barbi Cristi, and Maricar Florendo—after they watched the movie "Satisfaction," a film about teenagers forming an all-girl band with dreams of making it big. Little did they know they'd actually pull it off.
Taking their name from a crossword puzzle, these young women went from covering songs by the Doors, the Pretenders, and U2 to becoming one of the most influential acts in the Philippine alternative rock scene. They weren't just another band—they were pioneers, breaking ground in an era when the mainstream music industry still couldn't see past Top 40 pop acts.
The Early Days: From High School Dreams to Underground Royalty
Here's the thing about Color It Red that makes their story so compelling: they built their empire from the ground up, gig by gig, bar by bar.
Initially, Cooky and Barbi were in the actual band, with Maricar set to be the manager. They recruited Gem, Barbi's neighbor, to play guitar, and Cooky was originally supposed to be both the drummer and vocalist. Can you imagine? That kind of multi-tasking would exhaust anyone. Eventually, they smartened up and brought in more members: Hank Palenzuela on bass, Edison Jovellanos on drums, allowing Cooky to focus on being the frontwoman, and Maricar stepped in as keyboardist.
Their big break came when they entered a Battle of the Bands competition produced by RJ Jacinto, which they won, earning an RJ guitar as their first prize. That victory opened doors, leading to an audition at Red Rocks, a hugely popular bar in the underground alternative scene. And it was there, in that sweaty, cramped venue, where a young Mike Villegas discovered the band and signed up as their lead guitarist.
In December 1989, Color It Red performed at the RJ Pinoy Woodstock concert after winning a talent contest, cementing their place in the Manila underground scene. From there, they became fixtures at legendary venues like Club Dredd (formerly Red Rocks), Katrina's, Mayric's, and 70s Bistro—the original spots that honed alternative bands to legendary status.
The Breakthrough: "Hand-Painted Sky" and "Paglisan"
Here's where the story gets really good. After years of grinding it out in the underground scene, Color It Red landed a record deal with Alpha Records and released their debut album "Hand-Painted Sky" in 1994, which went platinum. Platinum! In a time when record companies didn't believe alternative bands had a viable market.
In 1995, Color It Red was voted Best New Artist at the Awit Awards, the Philippine equivalent of the Grammys. They weren't underground anymore. They were legitimate superstars in the alternative scene, proving that you could stay true to your sound and still win.
The Lineup Changes: A Band Built on Resilience
Look, we’re not going to sugarcoat this—Color It Red went through more lineup changes than most bands can survive. But here's what makes them special: they survived it all and kept making incredible music.
After the success of "Hand-Painted Sky," original members Hank Palenzuela and Edison Jovellanos left to pursue other life priorities. Hank was replaced by Bopip Paraguya, Edison by Jett Broas from Alamid, and Mike Villegas was replaced by GP Evaristo. Then more changes followed. Jett left to focus on Alamid and was replaced by Minco Fabregas. GP moved to the U.S., and the band worked with session guitarists like Ian Umali before Ariel Policarpio permanently filled the lead guitar role, alongside Jayvee Torres on drums. When Maricar left to focus on her family and career, she was replaced by Sam Baja on keyboards, who also provided backing vocals.
Through all these changes, Cooky and Barbi remained the constants—the heart and soul of Color It Red.
The Complete Discography: Five Albums of Pure Alternative Magic
Let's talk about their music, because that's what really matters, right? Here's their catalog of 5 albums:
1. Hand-Painted Sky (1994)
The album that started it all. Raw, emotional, and bursting with the energy of a band that had finally gotten their shot. "Paglisan" is the obvious standout, but the whole album is worth your time.
2. Fool's Circle (1997)
Their second album came out in 1997 with 14 tracks. This one saw them experimenting more, pushing boundaries, and refusing to be boxed in by their early success. Songs like "Na Naman" showcased their range and willingness to take risks.
3. Pop Fiction (2000)
Released in 2000, "Pop Fiction" featured 10 original songs. The album was characterized by a tighter sound and more personal songs, showing a band that had matured both musically and lyrically.
4. Color It Red (2006)
Six years after their previous album, Color It Red released their self-titled fourth album, their second under Alpha Music. This album was mostly a departure from their established material, both musically and lyrically. Songs like "Sweet Freedom," which addressed the loss of the historic Balangiga church bells, and "From the Other Side of the Sea" showed the band's socially conscious side.
5. Silver (2014/2017)
On the band's 25th anniversary, they released their fifth album, titled "Silver". Here's what makes this one special: they used a crowdfunding platform called Artiste Connect, with fans contributing financial support to help them record it. The funding reached P264,000, allowing the band to record 10 new original songs. This album proved that even after 25 years, people still believed in Color It Red. The album retained Cooky's passionately smooth voice and the band's semi-acoustic, mildly fuzzy leanings while incorporating their jazzy, soul, and reggae influences. Songs included "Umuwi Ka Na," "Where Does the Love Go?", and "Di Magtatagal".
Other must-listen tracks across their discography include "Dancing and Singing," "Pagguhit ng Bilog," "Una't Huli," "In My Head," "Awit ng Pag-asa," and "Life Goes On."
Cooky Chua: The Brandy-Swigging Goth Angel in Black
Let's be real. When people think of Color It Red, they think of Cooky Chua. And rightfully so. She's not just a vocalist; she's an icon.
Cooky became famous in the '90s for her signature black leggings, her cosmetic-free beauty, and her habit of swigging Emperador during gigs. She wasn't trying to be a rock star in the conventional sense—she just was one, effortlessly. Her raspy, soulful voice could convey heartbreak, defiance, longing, and strength all in the same breath.
Music critics and listeners often longed for "another Cooky Chua" to come along, turning her name into a standard of measurement. But here's the thing: there will never be another Cooky Chua. She's one of a kind.
What makes Cooky even more impressive is her longevity and versatility. Beyond Color It Red, she's been involved in various musical projects and has proven that her talent extends far beyond one band or one era.
The Current Lineup: Still Going Strong
As of their 25th anniversary and beyond, Color It Red consists of:
- Cooky Chua – Vocals
- Barbi Cristi Paraguya – Rhythm Guitar (original member)
- Bopip Paraguya – Bass and backing vocals
- Sam Baja/Sam Salazar – Keyboards and backing vocals
- Ariel Policarpio – Lead guitar
- Jayvee Torres – Drums
This lineup has been the most stable and enduring version of the band, carrying Color It Red through their later albums and into the present day.
Why Color It Red Matters: Their Legacy in Filipino Music
Here's why you need to care about Color It Red, even if you weren't around for their '90s glory days:
- They paved the way for female-fronted bands. In a male-dominated rock scene, Color It Red proved that women could not only compete but dominate. Cooky's presence on stage was commanding, and the band's success opened doors for countless female musicians who came after them.
- They survived when the industry didn't believe in them. Philippine record companies supported wholesome, Top 40 artists and didn't think alternative bands like Color It Red, Eraserheads, The Dawn, and After Image were worth producing because of their seemingly low fan base. But the underground scene was thriving, and Color It Red was at the forefront.
- They stayed true to themselves. Through lineup changes, industry pressures, and the ever-changing music landscape, Color It Red never sold out. They made the music they wanted to make, on their own terms.
- They proved longevity is possible. Funding their fifth album through crowdfunding showed that people still believed in Color It Red after 25 years. In an industry where bands come and go, that kind of staying power is remarkable.
The Color It Red Experience: What Makes Them Special
What set Color It Red apart wasn't just Cooky's voice or their alternative sound—it was their authenticity. Color It Red became one of the hottest young bands in the alternative scene during the early '90s, performing at venues that became the foundation for alternative bands to reach legendary status.
They weren't manufactured. They weren't trying to be something they weren't. When Cooky grabbed that mic and sang, you believed every word. When the band played, you felt it in your bones. That's not something you can fake, and it's not something you can teach.
Their sound was eclectic—mixing alternative rock with jazz influences, reggae vibes, and acoustic textures. They could hit you with a gut-wrenching ballad like "Paglisan" and then follow it up with something completely different. They kept you on your toes, and they never got boring.
Where to Start If You're New to Color It Red
Okay, so you're convinced. You want to dive into Color It Red's discography. Here's where we'd recommend starting:
Start with "Paglisan" – This is the song that put them on the map, and for good reason. It's emotional, it's powerful, and it'll give you a perfect taste of what Cooky's voice can do.Listen to "Hand-Painted Sky" from start to finish – Their debut album is still their best introduction. It captures the raw energy and promise of a band that was hungry and ready to prove themselves.
The Bottom Line: Why Color It Red Deserves Your Attention
Look, we could keep writing about Color It Red for hours. We could tell you about every album deep cut, every legendary performance, every moment that made them icons.
So whether you're a longtime fan who remembers seeing them at Club Dredd or a newcomer who's just discovering them now, do yourself a favor: put on some Color It Red, close your eyes, and let Cooky's voice transport you. Let the music take you back to a time when the underground scene was thriving, when authenticity mattered, and when a band of talented musicians could change the game simply by being themselves.
That's the Color It Red legacy. And it's one that will continue to inspire musicians and music lovers for generations to come.
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