Cup Of Joe: From Baguio Classrooms to OPM Dominance
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In 2025, no Filipino band has defined the sound of the era quite like Cup Of Joe. Their remarkable ascent from a tight-knit group of high school classmates in Baguio City to becoming the Philippines’ number one band feels like a narrative ripped from the pages of fiction. Yet, here they are: the year’s most streamed local act, having sold out the Araneta Coliseum not once, but five times—and the creators of “Multo,” a cultural phenomenon that reigned over the Billboard Philippines Hot 100 for 27 consecutive weeks and continues to hold the top spot on the Billboard Philippines Top Philippine Songs chart for 35 weeks and counting. Their achievements culminated at the inaugural Filipino Music Awards last October, where the group secured their place in modern OPM history, taking home both Song of the Year for “Multo” and Album of the Year for Silakbo.
For a band that originated in classrooms and lunch breaks, the sheer scale of their success remains profoundly surreal.
“It’s very unexpected,” vocalist Gian Bernardino reflects, when asked about achieving accolades that even established acts would envy. “If we talk about how we began, it’s a one-in-a-million chance. We started the band for fun and never anticipated achieving this kind of milestone.”
Fellow vocalist Rapha Ridao nods in agreement, recalling the band’s humble beginnings with the same clarity he brings to his songwriting. “Yeah, and many people have asked us, ‘What’s the secret to your success?’ There’s really no secret—just hard work and dedication. Because of our collective effort, we all evolved, improved our craft, and continued pursuing what we loved. We’re incredibly thankful for the opportunities we now have to share our music with everyone.”
Carving a Scene in the North
The band’s identity is inextricably linked to the city that nurtured them. Baguio’s unique creative energy—a blend of tranquil, cool air and a rich tradition of visual and musical artistry—forms the very foundation of Cup Of Joe’s sound. While Manila has long been considered the country’s musical capital, the band’s rise has challenged this long-held assumption.
Lead guitarist Gab Fernandez has witnessed the ripple effect firsthand. “Its impact wasn’t limited to us; it extended to other bands and artists in Baguio who hadn’t previously received much attention. The music scene in Baguio has gradually evolved—becoming richer and uncovering artists who had long remained hidden.”
Rhythm guitarist CJ Fernandez adds that Baguio’s artistic atmosphere has become a magnet for musicians from elsewhere. “It’s ironic, because Manila used to be the center of everything,” he explains. “But now, many artists based in Manila are traveling to Baguio, drawn by the growing reputation of Kuya Shad [in-demand Baguio-based producer Shadiel Chan]. They want to explore the creative possibilities here. We also have friends who are Manila-based artists constantly asking, ‘What makes Baguio so special?’ Artistry is simply natural to this place.”
While the local gig infrastructure remains somewhat limited—”that’s the slight constraint,” CJ admits—the city’s greatest strength lies in the inspiration it provides. Whenever the band returns home, a creative spark ignites.
Gab articulates it best: “I feel that being together in Baguio helps us, especially when all five of us are there. It brings back the feeling of being high school students who simply wanted to write the songs we wanted to write, without any pressure—just pure and sincere songwriting.”
From “Tingin” to “Multo”
Before “Multo” captivated the nation, there was “Tingin”—a collaboration with singer Janine Teñoso that served as a breakthrough hit, hinting at Cup Of Joe’s potential. However, within the band, there was no pressure to replicate or capitalize on their initial success.
“Every time we hear news that our song is charting, we’re like, ‘Wow! Congratulations to us!’” Gian says, emphasizing that chart performance was never their primary focus. “We’re always genuinely surprised. That’s how we maintain our authenticity.”
Rapha describes “Tingin” as a turning point—not in terms of fame, but in terms of clarity. “It gave us the realization that our songs could reach a wider audience and have a significant impact on people. With ‘Tingin,’ it clicked that our music was capable of achieving such things. It removed our self-imposed limits.”
Then came Silakbo, and within it, “Multo,” a song that surpassed even the band’s own expectations. Its unprecedented longevity on the charts in 2025, coupled with its emotional resonance, has expanded the band’s listening community exponentially.
The Album as Art, The Band as a Unit
In a music landscape dominated by streaming algorithms, Cup Of Joe deliberately chose to define their identity through a full-length album—a conscious statement in an era of singles and curated playlists.
“For me, there’s something deeply personal about creating an album, especially the process—all five of us in the studio, pulling all-nighters,” Rapha explains. “Seeing the effort and emotion we pour into each song creates a unique feeling. It’s challenging, but incredibly satisfying when it’s finished.”
Keyboardist Xen Gareza expands on the significance of the album format: “You can learn so much more about an artist through their album compared to single releases.” He likens albums to feature-length movies, contrasting them with the fleeting nature of YouTube shorts, adding, “There’s something about the length of a piece of entertainment or art.”
Thematically anchored in the five stages of grief, Silakbo is a cohesive collection of songs designed to be experienced as a complete narrative. “It’s a narrative of feelings that we often keep hidden,” Rapha continues. “And our hope is that by the end of listening to it, you’ll understand yourself and what you’re going through, and hopefully, be inspired to create a better space for yourself.”
What Comes Next
With five sold-out Araneta Coliseum shows in 2025 and a chart-topping hit that shows no signs of waning, Cup Of Joe appears poised for even greater success. Having recently completed tours of North America and the Middle East, the band is preparing for a nationwide tour in 2026. “Our next step is to connect with our international fans,” Gian stated prior to the aforementioned tours. “We’ll start from there.”
Rapha adds, “We want to reach out to our international fans while continuing to support our fans here in the Philippines, because they’re the reason we’ve come this far.”
And regarding the pressure to surpass their number one hit? Gab dismisses the notion. “That’s not really our goal,” he insists. “Perhaps ‘Multo’ topped the charts to serve as a platform for new fans to discover us. We have so much more to offer. We’ll just keep making music.”
“We’ll continue writing and singing, because that’s what we enjoy the most,” concludes Rapha. “And we just hope that our fans appreciate what we create, because we’re incredibly proud of everything we do.”
Photographed by Ver Sacol. Creative Direction by Bret Jackson. Art Direction by Kenn Dimaano. Glam Team by Nix Institute of Beauty. Photography assisted by Stephanie Maureen Anlacan. Story by Jason Caballa. Billboard Philippines December 2025.
