Erstwhile vocalist Ria Redulla told us a few months back that she could not do the vocal duties for Hastang long-term. While we do respect her decision and wish her the best, it was certainly a day of uncertainty for the remaining band members. We could barely keep our hopes up during the summer.

Good thing we did because a few months later, we found this feisty banshee whom I’m proud to say is now the new singer of Hastang and that’s official. Many thanks to Janjan Perez for bringing her to our attention.

Her name of course is Ara Chawdhury and I can really say that she is more than qualified (killer pipes, songwriting chops and all) for the job. More importantly, her dedication and enthusiasm at the thought of exploring and making music together is as great as Gaw’s love for beer.

And I’m glad to report that we have already written and arranged some new Hastang material (as well as re-discovered way way old ones). We have also done a number of gigs at Outpost (check out Ara’s account of her first Hastang gig here), Handuraw and Vudu.

We will be sure to post future gigs and band developments in our new blog so watch out for those. The next few months are going to be exciting.

P.S. Congratulations to Mommy Yan!!!

With love,
Hastang

It all started with four lonely guys pining for someone to fill the void in their hearts. And then someone perfect came along. A friend introduced her to us. One thing led to another. And before we knew it, we were falling in love. As - we’re pretty sure - you will.

Currently, the band is busy jamming with old and new materials. Ria’s voice is distinct. But more than that, we all see eye to eye in terms of style and flavor. …Hmmm. We won’t say anything more. We’ll let our music speak for itself.

…Soon.

To Ria, welcome to Hastang. That impromptu gig was awesome! Awooooo!

photo credits: Styling/Makeup: Vica Pineda; Photography/Lights: Happy Garaje (Johanna Velasco & Mark Deutsch)

Tessa Manto, who has graciously lent us her voice for 3 years, is no longer a part of Hastang.

Let it be known that the separation (if you can call it such) has been amicable at best. Hastang and Tessa are parting ways under the best of terms.

Perhaps the only thing that remains to be said is that it is time to move on. Suffice it to say this has been long in coming.

What of the past three years?

…We don’t consider them a waste. We consider each and every second of those three years as a lesson in patience, resilience, and ultimately, persistence.

We have learned a lot from Tessa. We only hope that she learned something from us as well.

What of the future of the band?

…We remain optimistic. We remain hopeful. But perhaps more than hope, more than optimism for the times ahead, we are happy to have rekindled in our hearts the fire that we seemed to have lost not so long ago.

This, truly, has been an epiphany. And we are all happy to move on.

(originally written July 7, 2008.)

Congratulations and best wishes, Dondon “Gaw” Luche and Phoebe Pacquiao-Luche! 08-08-08!

(Feb. 16, 2008 - UP grounds)

For more videos of Hastang’s gigs, visit Hastang’s YouTube channel.

For more videos of Hastang’s gigs, visit Hastang’s YouTube channel.

For more videos of Hastang’s gigs, visit Hastang’s YouTube channel.

For more videos of Hastang’s gigs, visit Hastang’s YouTube channel.