Finding Light: Pat Lasaten And Agnes Reoma Of Ben&Ben

Long before selling out shows, achieving radio hits, and gaining the devoted community known as Liwanag, Pat Lasaten and Agnes Reoma were chasing songs in the same places that nurtured an entire generation of Filipino independent musicians.

For the keyboardist and bassist, respectively, of Ben&Ben, some of their fondest memories trace back to the heyday of Manila’s indie scene in the early 2010s, when discovery often happened inside cramped bars and modest venues where audiences showed up, whoever was on the lineup on any given night.

“As someone who came from Baguio — probinsya (a province), sobrang magic sa indie scene na that time (the indie scene in Manila was magical at that time),” Agnes recalls, delighting in her discovery back then: “’What do you mean all the artists play in the same arena?'”

She remembers gigs at Route 196 and SaGuijo, where emerging acts shared stages with established names and where audiences gathered simply for the possibility of witnessing something unexpected. On some nights, someone unfamiliar to them would be on the bill, “tapos on other nights, nandun bigla ‘yung UDD (and then on other nights, UDD would be there),” she adds.

“Iba ‘yung mood din before na parang you just go out and ‘di mo alam minsan kung sino ‘yung lineup (It was different then when you would just go out without knowing the lineup). But you’ll just go to SaGuijo or Route 196 and biglang may (suddenly there’s) magic.”

Pat remembers those years through a different lens: the excitement of stumbling upon future favorites and the realities of life as a young musician.

“A little sentimental memory that I hold close to my heart [happened] after namin mag-gig sa (after we played a gig at) Route 196, back when we were really just starting out,” she says. “Madalas ‘yung gate share namin pang food lang, pang chicken nuggets (Usually our gate share would just be enough for food, like chicken nuggets).”

“So we would split the TF between us by buying 10-piece chicken nuggets, tapos happy na kami doon (and then we would be happy),” she continues.

As Ben&Ben steadily grew from indie darling to one of the country’s biggest bands, Pat and Agnes were navigating another journey in parallel: becoming comfortable with their identities and their relationship in public.

For Agnes, the band’s early years coincided with a period of self-discovery. “When the band started, hindi nila alam na kami (they didn’t know we were a couple),” she says. “Tapos parang takot pa ako noon na parang (And I was afraid then, thinking), ‘Shucks, how will they react to this?'”

The anxiety disappeared when they finally told their bandmates. “Lahat sila (All of them said), ‘Oh, happy anniversary!’ ‘Kailan pa kayo (How long have you been together)?’ Pwede palang maging ganun lang — like hindi siya big deal (We didn’t expect that it wouldn’t be a big deal to them).”

That acceptance became a defining part of their experience within Ben&Ben — Pat points out that the band was the community that served as the foundation that allowed them to embrace themselves fully.

“Hindi mo madi-discover kung sino ka ba talaga (You won’t discover your true self) if you’re not surrounded by the right people — the right people who love and accept you for who you are.”

That support eventually extended beyond the band itself. During Ben&Ben’s early years, Pat and Agnes rarely addressed their relationship publicly. Fans, however, had already begun piecing things together — or at least started shipping the pair — through photos, videos, and social media interactions.

“We would see on Twitter, now X, before na nagpo-post sila ng mga (that the fans would post) fan edits,” Pat says. “And then that actually told us na, ‘Ah, OK lang pala’ (that it was OK for them that we were a queer couple).”

That reinforcement resonated with their listeners, too, as the pair started receiving messages about how inspiring their relationship was.

Pat paraphrases the kind of notes they received at the time: “‘Thank you kasi ‘yung (because your) relationship niyo helped me accept who I am. Helped me come out to my parents and all of that.'”

As their visibility grew, so did their understanding of what representation could mean. “People are more accepting and less… mas kayang maging proud and loud ang mga queer kids (it’s easier for queer kids to be loud and proud),” Agnes says.

That openness eventually found its way into their art. One of the most meaningful moments came through the music video for Ben&Ben’s 2022 single “Paninindigan Kita,” where the pair portrayed a version of themselves and their own story.

“I think ‘yun ‘yung [pagiging] pinaka-vulnerable (that was our most vulnerable moment) on being who we are in that form,” Agnes shares. “‘Yun ‘yung parang (It was like our) grand message to everyone na OK lang na maging ikaw (it’s OK to be yourselves).”

For Pat, authenticity has become central to both artistry and performance.

“At some point, you just stop pretending,” she says. “Eventually, once you connect to yourself, lalabas at lalabas talaga kung ano ‘yung totoo mo (your true self will come out).”

That philosophy continues to shape how they approach music today. Ben&Ben recently earned another milestone as reimagined versions of “Lifetime” and “Autumn” entered (and topped) the Billboard Philippines Hot 100, further proof of the band’s enduring connection with listeners. Yet despite the accolades, both artists remain grounded in the same spirit that first drew them into music.

“We just really love creating,” Agnes says. “We’re really just thankful.”

Looking ahead, their hopes for the future extend beyond personal success. Agnes wants to see more women and queer musicians take up space in the industry. “Sana mas marami pang queer and girls na nasa industry na ‘to (I hope there would be more queers and girls in this industry),” she declares. “Go, guys. You can play. You can rock like the boys.”

Pat’s vision of legacy feels equally clear. “Ang gusto kong maalala ng mga tao tungkol sa akin ay hindi ako takot (I wish people remember me for being fearless),” she says. “And sana maging (to be a) beacon of hope — maging light siya sa mga tao na (to be a light to other people who realize), I can be myself.”

For two musicians who came of age in Manila’s indie scene and found acceptance while rising with one of the country’s biggest bands, that light continues to reach far beyond the stage.

_{Photographed by Kieran Punay.  Art and Fashion Direction by Gelo Quijencio. Styling by Ruru Christian of H&M. Makeup by Team Nix Institute of Beauty Services.}

_{Makeup for Pat Lasaten: Leilani Bamba-Rizon. Hair: Juhana Bautista & Jeremie Gaurano Refran. Hair and Makeup for Agnes Reoma: Jeremie Gaurano Refran. Hair Assistant: Juhana Bautista.}

_{Production Design by Arj Madarang. Production by Liezel Restauro.}

_{Special thanks to H&M Philippines.}