In the landscape of Filipino rock, some bands burn brightest when they burn briefly. The Oktaves represents one of Philippine music's most intriguing experiments: what happens when you bring together musicians from three different decades, led by one of OPM's most iconic figures, and let them create something entirely new?
This is your comprehensive guide to The Oktaves—who they were, what they created, and why their short-lived existence still resonates in OPM history.
The Supergroup That Stopped Everyone in Their Tracks
When Ely Buendia announces a new project, the Philippine music scene takes notice. The Eraserheads frontman and Pupil founder has spent decades shaping the sound of Filipino rock. But The Oktaves wasn't just another Ely Buendia side project—it was a genuine supergroup that brought together:
- Ely Buendia (Eraserheads, Mongols, Pupil, Apartel) – vocals, guitars
- Nitoy Adriano (The Jerks) – guitars
- Chris Padilla (Hilera) – vocals, guitars
- Bobby Padilla (Hilera) – drums
- Ivan Garcia (Hilera) – bass
The burning question was whether they would lean into nostalgia, push toward experimentation, or carve out entirely new territory. The answer turned out to be all three—which is precisely what made The Oktaves remarkable.
The Road to Formation: Building Chemistry (2010–2012)
The Oktaves didn't materialize overnight. Their formation was the result of organic collaborations that revealed a natural creative synergy:
2010: Ely Buendia collaborated with Hilera on In Love and War, an album also featuring the legendary Francis M. This initial partnership planted seeds for future work together.
2011: Ely and Nitoy Adriano joined forces for "Bungo sa Bangin," contributing to the Rock Rizal tribute project. Meanwhile, Hilera recorded "La Paloma" for the Manila Kingpin: The Asiong Salonga Story soundtrack.
2012: The musicians began jamming together regularly, initially exploring covers of classic artists like The Beatles, Bob Dylan, and The Smiths, alongside inevitable Eraserheads favorites. These sessions revealed something special—a chemistry that transcended generational differences.
By late 2012, they formalized their collaboration, signing with MCA Music and officially launching The Oktaves.
The Self-Titled Album: One Record, Infinite Possibilities (2013)
In February 2013, The Oktaves released their debut and only album—a self-titled record co-produced by Ely Buendia himself. The album defied easy categorization, weaving together rock, blues, country, and rockabilly into a tapestry that felt simultaneously timeless and contemporary.
Essential Tracks You Need to Hear:
"K.U.P.A.L." – The single that got everyone talking, showcasing the band's irreverent edge and lyrical wit.
"Ikot" – Accompanied by a music video featuring Ellen Adarna, this track became one of their most recognizable songs, blending catchy hooks with the band's characteristic grit.
"Bungo sa Bangin" – A reimagined version of the Rock Rizal track, now fully realized with the complete band's energy.
"Paakyat Ka Pa Lang, Pababa Na Ako" – A perfect synthesis of Eraserheads' lyrical philosophy with modern OPM sensibilities, this track captures the existential frustration and dark humor that defines Ely's best work.
"Walang Magawa," "Hold On Tight," and "Olivia" – Deeper album cuts that reward repeat listening, each revealing new layers with every spin.
Despite being their sole release, the album demonstrated remarkable range—this wasn't a nostalgia act trading on past glories but a genuine artistic statement from seasoned musicians still hungry to create.
The Sound and Soul of The Oktaves
The Oktaves' musical identity drew from their members' diverse backgrounds, creating a rich sonic palette:
The classic blues and rockabilly influences brought texture and timelessness to their arrangements. The 1990s Filipino alternative rock tradition infused their lyrics with clever wordplay and social commentary. Hilera's 2000s indie sensibility added a raw, unpolished edge that kept everything grounded and authentic.
Lyrically, The Oktaves explored familiar yet timeless themes: the complications of love, the spirit of rebellion, existential frustration, and the kind of ironic humor that has always been an Ely Buendia trademark. But these weren't simply Eraserheads redux—the contributions from veteran punks and younger collaborators created layers of perspective that gave the songs unexpected depth.
The Enduring Legacy of a Brief Encounter
For a band with just one album, The Oktaves left an outsized impact on Philippine rock. Here's why they continue to matter:
They proved cross-generational collaboration works. The Oktaves demonstrated that musicians from different eras of OPM could create something cohesive and exciting rather than simply nostalgic. This opened doors for future collaborations that might otherwise have seemed risky or forced.
They gave Ely Buendia room to evolve. Rather than being trapped by his legendary past, this project allowed Ely to explore new sonic territories while maintaining the qualities that made him iconic. It was reinvention that respected tradition.
They created a "what-if" moment in Philippine rock. Short-lived projects often generate more discussion than long careers. The Oktaves became a perpetual conversation starter: What if they had continued? What would album two have sounded like? This kind of mythology can't be manufactured—it emerges from genuine artistic potential cut short.
They inspired future experiments. By showing that mixed-age, mixed-background lineups could produce compelling music, The Oktaves paved the way for other artists to take similar creative risks.
Why Brevity Breeds Legend
The Oktaves didn't overstay their welcome, and perhaps that's their greatest strength. They appeared, made an indelible mark, and vanished—leaving behind not a lengthy discography but a concentrated burst of creative energy that still sparks curiosity years later.
In an industry often defined by longevity and output, The Oktaves remind us that impact isn't measured solely in albums released or years active. Sometimes the most memorable projects are the ones that leave you wanting more, that exist as a perfect moment rather than an extended era.
Your Next Step: Listen
If you haven't experienced The Oktaves yet, start with "K.U.P.A.L." to understand their attitude. Follow it with "Ikot" for their melodic sensibility. Then commit to the full album in one sitting—it's worth your undivided attention.
You'll quickly discover why The Oktaves remains one of the most fascinating chapters in OPM history. Not the longest chapter, not the most commercially successful, but one of the most creatively ambitious and satisfying—a supergroup that understood that sometimes, the most powerful statement you can make is a brief but brilliant one.
The Oktaves were short, loud, and forever worth revisiting. And in the end, that's exactly what they set out to be.
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