Cup Of Joe On Making Music That’s Brewed To Perfection: “It’s all about how we feel at the moment.”

Cup of Joe aren’t just redefining the Filipino alt-pop scene — they’re fully embodying it. 

While you may easily recognize them for their distinct wardrobe, outlandish looks, and roguish charm, the five-member ensemble composed of lead vocalists Gian Bernardino and Raphaell “Rapha” Ridao, keyboardist Vixen “Xen” Gareza, lead guitarist Gab Fernandez, and rhythm guitarist Clint Joules “CJ” Fernandez, has become one of the most influential acts in the Philippines, with credit to their impressive string of hit releases.

Hailing from Baguio City, their ascent on the scene has been nothing short of meteoric. From playing school gigs and charity events to headlining major stages and shows of their own, the chart-topping group has evolved into a household name, beloved for their authentic sound and heartfelt lyrics.

Yet despite their massive impact on audiences all around the country, Cup of Joe would still tell you that they’re relatively young (and new) in the music industry. But with that youth and naivete comes a series of career milestones that are lined up on their path, whether it’s their upcoming second solo concert, their newly announced debut album, or even their first-ever magazine cover — all of which are a testament to how far they’ve come, and are heights that they’re ready to conquer. 

“All of it is exciting for us,” Gian says, visibly thrilled after wrapping up their cover shoot at the Billboard Philippines studio. “This is our first magazine cover, and I think it’s every child’s dream to experience such a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Lalo na (Especially) it’s for Billboard! It really feels like such a milestone for us as a group,” he continues. 

As the group describes it, their current career trajectory is a far cry from their humble origins back in Baguio. Having formed in their senior year (Grade 12) during their time at the Saint Louis University Laboratory High School, everything that’s occurred so far seems like a simultaneous blessing and blur that has taken them by surprise.

“I don’t know how to explain it, but there was never a goal. We were just having fun,” Gab mentions. “One day, Rapha suggested we form a more solid group [following our previous band which we will not name]. Nagtawag lang kami ng ibang friends (We reached out to other friends) — so CJ joined, then Xen. Later, Gian joined. It was all organic; no pressure, no big plans.”

While they initially played at school shows and charity events at the beginning of their career, the band admits that they were never really critical of offers and opportunities to play. “Every time we saw an opportunity to perform, we just grabbed it. Not minding kung gaano karaming gagastusin namin, or kung sino ‘yung mga makapanood sa amin. Because we just really wanted to play and perform out of passion,” Gian notes.

“What we do is all about kung ano lang maganda para sa amin. Galing siya sa taste namin, minsan sa personal experiences,” Rapha adds, while jokingly refusing to expound on the latter statement upon further prodding. “Hindi namin iniisip kung paano sisikat ‘to or what, because it’s [all] about how we feel at the moment, and also ‘yung emotions na gusto namin i-translate sa mga sinusulat namin.”

(“What we do is all about what’s beautiful to us. It comes from our tastes, and sometimes our personal experiences. We never think about how our music can become popular, because it’s all about how we feel at the moment, and the emotions we translate to our songs.”)

For the band, the songwriting process is one that’s often as cathartic as it is collaborative. It’s a means of “artistic expression” (as Gab humorously notes), but one that takes away multiple points and perspectives from each of their members. Because of this, the end result feels a lot more lived in and genuine rather than overly sentimental.

“Ang maganda kasi is that very diverse ‘yung group namin,” Rapha states. “We each have our own experiences na shina-share between us, and nagiging collective experience for all us through ‘yung mga kwentuhan namin sa isa’t-isa. Dahil doon, nakakabuo kami ng song na hindi lang based sa experience ng isa, kundi sa experience naming lahat.” 

(“We are a very diverse group. We each have our own experiences that we share between us, that become a collective experience for all of us when we tell each other stories. Because of this, we come up with songs that aren’t just based on one person’s experience, but the whole band’s.”)

With how sincere their methodology is, the band has accumulated nearly six million monthly listeners and five hundred thousand followers across various platforms, leading to two Top 10 entries (“Tingin” feat. Janine and “Misteryoso”) in the Top Philippine Songs chart of Billboard Philippines. Upon asking them how they felt about the immense reach of their music, Gab simply replies, “If you love your art, then other people will love it too.”

Following the announcement of their highly anticipated debut album, Silakbo, the members of Cup of Joe note that it does feel like a turning point for the band. I note how any band’s first record serves as a strong statement of their artistry, to which they agree, noting the difference in their approach to creating the record in comparison to their previous works, particularly their 2023 EP, Patutunguhan.

“I think we can agree that we’ve become experimental with this album when compared to our first EP,” Gian notes. Agreeing wholeheartedly, Raph points out how they were different people prior to making the record, stating: “Based sa huling EP namin, nung time na ‘yun (During the time of our last EP), we were still in the middle of transforming and still figuring out what to do.”

“Ang maganda nga is that we had an initial idea of what we wanted to do for the album, tapos habang nangyari ‘yung process of making the songs and recording, slowly din siya nag-transform along with us. ‘Yung nabuo naming lahat is something we’re proud of, and feel namin na reflected ‘yung happiness, mga struggles, and everything in between ng each and every member ng group,” he continues.

(“What’s great is that we had an initial idea of what we wanted to do for the album, and in the process of making the songs and recording, it slowly transformed along with us. What we finished is something we’re proud of, and we feel it reflects the whole band’s happiness, struggles, and everything in between.”)

Gian elaborates further on what sets Silakbo apart from their other works: “I think if we put it side by side with Patutunguhan, this album is more on the vulnerable side of Cup of Joe. It means a lot as our first album, kasi binuhos namin ‘yung (We poured our) emotions [that] we wanted to express. Kaya pinangalan naming Silakbo (That’s why we called it Silakbo) — kasi ‘silakbo’ means an outburst of emotions that demands to be felt.”

“We really can’t spill anything specific, but the album is gonna take you along a story that we know everyone experiences at some point in their lives. It’s about allowing you to feel hurt, [because] if you deny the pain, the harder it is to accept the reality of your lives. Basically, it’s an album that talks about how you should let your heart pour out its emotions,” he teases. 

While the album itself already serves as a major milestone on its own for the band, they already have their sights on their second major solo concert of the same name. Set to be held for two days at the Araneta Coliseum (one of the biggest venues in the country with a capacity for 16,500 people), they note how the entire production is something that they’re excited to work on. “Sobrang exciting, kasi first time namin mag-Araneta na solo ‘yung show (It’s very exciting, because it’s our first time to play a solo show in Araneta),” Xen gleefully mentions. 

“Meron na kaming main idea kung anong gusto namin (We already have a main idea with what we want) with the theme, the set design, and the production of it,” hints Rapha, to which his co-singer adds, “The thing about our live performances is that we always want it to revolve around a concept. So right now, we’re in the stage of immersing ourselves in Silakbo, because we want audiences to feel immersed in the show as well.”

Gian also notes how their set of Araneta shows marks a full-circle moment for the band, given that it goes back to one of their first-ever major performances. “Our first big performance as a band way back happened in Araneta,” he narrates. “We accepted an award at the 2019 MOR Awards, and we performed… then failed. Our performance was not up to par [to what we wanted to do], and during that time, it felt like that was our only shot to make ourselves well-known in the industry.”

“Honestly, our 2019 selves wouldn’t believe that five years later, we’re here going to play two sold-out shows at our own concert in the same venue,” he cheerfully continues. “So, congratulations, boys!”

Having grown so fast over those five years, Cup of Joe has evolved from a high school band to one of the biggest bands in the entire country. While growth isn’t linear (in their words), they feel that time couldn’t have prepared them for where they are today. “Until now, it still feels surreal,” Gian shares. “When we started, ‘yung mga nakakasama namin ngayon, sila ‘yung tinitignan namin (the artists we get to perform with now are the ones we looked up to). We have all these opportunities sharing the OPM stage with them and representing the genre together, so I feel so grateful that we were given this opportunity.”

“It’s a great honor [to represent OPM as a whole],” adds Rapha. “Ever since elementary, [tumutugtog] kami ng music ng ibang mga kasama namin (our current peers) kapag recess (we used to play the music of our current peers during recess), and [it’s a] full circle moment in many ways. ‘Yung kinakanta namin sa mga Battle of the Bands dati, kanta nila — pero ngayon, ‘yung kanta namin ang ginagamit na sa mga events na ganun (We used to sing their songs at Battle of the Bands, but now it’s our song that the kids play). It’s very humbling, really.” 

For Cup of Joe, however, the journey has always been about more than just the music — it’s also about connection, growth, and staying true to themselves as they ascend further up the Philippine music scene. “We’re gonna be dreaming bigger than ever,” Gab playfully notes, talking about their no-limits approach to what lies ahead.

“We’re just getting started,” Gian says with a smile. “And we’re taking everyone along for the ride.”

A version of this story originally appeared in Billboard Philippines‘ December 2024 Issue.

_{Photographed by Renzo Navarro. Creative Direction by Kenneth Dimaano. Fashion Direction and styling by Kurt Abonal. Art Direction by Nicole Almero. Glam team by Nix Institute of Beauty. Hair and Make up by Nix Soriano (Gian). Hair by Jessey Miranda (Rapha, CJ, & Xen). Make up by Leilani Bamba-Rizon (Rapha & CJ). Make up by Rani Soriano (Xen). Hair & Make up by John Michael Robles (Gab). Production Design by Arj Madz of Jagger Studios. Photography assisted by Dominic Pamatmat & Joshua Tan. Produced by Mikaela Cruz.}

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