Munimuni Celebrates Human Experiences in ‘Alegorya’ Concert

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The makata-pop quintet Munimuni successfully held their “Alegorya” concert at the University of the Philippines Theater in Diliman, Quezon City, on Saturday, July 20, 2024.

The show was in celebration of their second full-length album, released earlier in May. The event also featured a stellar lineup of guests, including Barbie Almalbis, Clara Benin, Keiko Necesario, and Sofia Abrogar, the vocalist of Any Name’s Okay.

Melancholy and happiness intertwined

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Adj Jiao, Owen Castro, Jolo Ferrer, Josh Tumaliuan, and Ben Ayes started the evening on a melancholic note, rendering songs that touch on the constant presence of sadness in our lives.

For this portion of the show, they performed “Ako Lang Ba?, “Kapayapaan,” “Isang Araw ang Lumipas,” “Alat,” and “Sikat ng Araw.”

“Totoong bilang mga tao nalulungkot tayo, pero totoo rin naman na pwede tayo maging masaya… Kung may realidad ng lungkot, may realidad ng ligaya, dahil meron talagang mga totoong bagay na nagpapasaya sa atin,” Jiao, guitarist and one of the band’s vocalists, remarked as he introduced their next song, “Matimtiman.”

Upbeat and inspiring, the song is dedicated to the little things that make us happy. This performance prompted a sing-along with the crowd — a fulfilling moment that would later be seen in other songs.

In one part of the show, Tumaliuan, the band’s drummer, took over vocal duties.  “Maraming salamat ulit sa pagpunta. Sobrang grabe ‘yung nararamdaman naming support. Gusto ko lang magpasalamat,” he expressed before singing “Dito Muna,” — a track that speaks of savoring moments spent with loved ones.

Apart from tracks from their “Alegorya” album, the band also performed songs from their “búhay/buháy” EP. These include “Kalsada” and “Maligaya.”

A star-studded night

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Following a quarter-hour break, Munimuni came back for the acoustic part of their show. Donning dazzling-and-dashing white ensembles, the band performed “Tanikala,” a song from their career-defining “Simula” EP.

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The band brought out Abrogar for the next performance, and two acts offered a gleam of hope with “Pagsibol.” The band performed “Simula” next. Both of these tracks are lifted from “Kulayan Natin,” their debut studio album released in 2019.

Ayes, on the guitar, then introduced an “old friend” as their next guest.

“Very happy ako na part siya ng concert. I’ve known her longer than them. So, bata pa lang ako, like, I used to work with her na,” he shared before inviting Benin on stage.

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Benin performed “Tahanan” with Munimuni, which is another song from the band’s “búhay/buháy” EP. Afterward, the band performed “Oras,” another track from the EP. For this number, they featured Necesario, a singer-songwriter who has also been a staple in the country’s gig scene.

In the set that followed, Munimuni performed more originals, including “Respeto,” their 2020 single “Nawa,” “Alegorya,” “Paraiso,” “Bukas Makalawa,” “Alpas,” and “Tiwala.”

Castro, flutist and vocalist, recounted their journey and got candid in one of the night’s most vulnerable moments.

“Sa buong journey namin, parang our purpose is to really share the hope that we have in Christ. [N]ung college, ‘yun ‘yung pinaka-foundation ng friendship namin. Kung wala ‘yun, walang Munimuni,” he said while holding his tears and earning cheers from the crowd.

Almalbis, their final guest for the concert, also gave the band words of encouragement they deserve: “You know what I can say — Munimuni, introverts in concerts. It is what it is. We love you just as you are.”

The band then performed “Tupa” with the Pinoy rock icon. The song is the album closer of their newest record.

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“Marilag” marked a solid finale, followed by an encore that somehow satisfied the audience’s craving for more Munimuni performances.

Throughout the show, the band was also accompanied by the Chamber Ensemble, who did an excellent job in enhancing the overall atmosphere.

Munimuni’s “Alegorya” came about five years after their last major concert. It also served as their third major show, following a self-title concert (2018) and “Kulayan Natin” (2019).

Running for three hours, their recent concert showcased a band that has evidently matured over the years. Known for their unique musicality and thought-provoking lyricism, the band has grown to become one of the most well-loved OPM bands in recent memory. With support from their own community of listeners known as “Komunidad” and their undying love for music, we can only expect more sublime things from them. Be it in the form of songs or live events, one thing’s for sure: They’re here to continue celebrating many human experiences.

Words by: Joram Flores

Edited by: Emmy Borromeo