MANILA, Philippines — Performing in Singapore and for the first time in Japan with three sold-out shows, rock band Silent Sanctuary was stunned by the fervent reception from fans in both countries.
They initially planned one show in Japan but due to strong fan demand, they held three gigs there from March 27 to 29 and headed to Singapore on April 5.
“We were overwhelmed,” vocalist Sarkie Sarangay told The STAR. “Personally, I’m very happy because I never imagined and expected that we would hold three shows in Japan kasi ang usapan, isa lang. But our fans in Japan demanded for more.
“We didn’t know that many Filipino fans in Japan listen to our music. We were really thankful because it’s our first time there but all the shows were sold out.
Silent Sanctuary is made up of Sarkie Sarangay, Anjo Inacay, Allen Calixto, Kim Mirandilla-Ng, Ronnie Ropal and Poch Villalon.
“The same in Singapore, marami palang nakikinig kay Silent Sanctuary. We are grateful and thank you very much for supporting Silent Sanctuary.”
Silent Sanctuary held their shows at Mr. Back Saitama, Livehouse Shinjuku SAMURAI and Heaven’s Door in Japan.
Violinist Kim Mirandilla-Ng described their international journey as a “new adventure” the band is grateful for, while cellist Anjo Inacay noted the “growing reach of Original Pilipino Music across Asia,” saying it is “exciting to see Filipino music crossing into neighboring countries.”
Apart from hitting a new international milestone, the Ikaw Lamang hitmakers just launched their latest single UNA under Universal Records, which was originally recorded as a demo in 2009.
“We felt that it wasn’t ripe yet, not ready to record at that time,” Sarkie explained, referring to why it took 17 years to officially release it. “Parang ang feeling namin kasi, album release kami, kumbaga parang hindi sya bagay sa album, so we put the song on hold for a while. Tapos yun nga sobrang tumagal na, ngayon lang namin nahugot ulit. And there’s this strong demand like they want to listen to the song.”
Hence, they decided to revisit the track, adding their own arrangements to give it a fresh, modern sound.
“Since it was a demo, just for the fans or practice lang, at first, we didn’t think of the lyrics and arrangement. Sobrang hilaw nun. So to those who said that they liked it raw, i-keep na nila sa kanila yun, okay na yun. At least they’ve listened to the original version a long time ago.
“I just want to point out that we put in more effort into making it more beautiful in terms of string arrangements and instruments.”
“It should sound like a 2026 track,” added Anjo. “Medyo modern na ngayon… That’s the new sound now and that’s the outcome of everything that has happened.”
Poch Villalon and Sarkie shared that the ditty reflects the band’s growth and maturity while remaining faithful to their signature melody.
“Having new bandmates is a big factor, considering we first jammed the song more than a decade ago. Of course, Ronnie’s (Ropal) bass influences iba rin naman, yung latag ni Kim sa strings, pati yung flavor na nadadagdag ni Poch. So this version (reflects) who we are (as a group). Di naman siya kailangan ma-stuck sa past, right Poch?,” Anjo asked Poch.
“I am Poch. Thank you po sa lahat ng mga nakikinig. Ayun lang po,” Poch replied.
The six-piece collective was formed in 2001.
