How Badjao Brought His Beat Back
From pandemic hangs to random jams, the IV OF SPADES drummer rediscovers his groove in the band he has always belonged in.
During IV OF SPADES’ hiatus, while the others pursued solo paths, Badjao De Castro did something different — he rediscovered the joy of being in a band. Playing with indie supergroup Party Pace gave him a new outlet, but it also revealed a truth he hadn’t fully admitted: “Ni-resent ko ‘yung music,” he says of the period immediately after the breakup. But the friends he spent time with during the pandemic reminded him of something essential — “Gusto ko pala talaga magbanda.”
What he learned during that time had nothing to do with technicality or virtuosity. It was about connection. “How to bond nang hindi lang music — tambay, bike, gano’n.” It’s a warmth that would later become crucial to restarting IV OF SPADES.
The band’s reunion wasn’t born out of a grand plan, but with small, human moments. He remembers reconnecting with Unique first — becoming godfathers together, taking a photo that quietly erased years of distance. Eventually, a mischievous invitation from Zild to hang out at a Radioactive Sago Project reunion show set off the chain reaction. “Sabi ni Zild, ‘Ako lang nandito.’ Sabi ko, ‘Sige punta ako.’” What he didn’t know was that Zild had also summoned Blaster — his estranged friend. When they arrived, surprised, all awkwardness and ill feelings started to dissolve.
Photographed by Shaira Luna. On Badjao: Yana Kalaw Shirt and Pants. Thy Roots Loafers.
From there, the transition back into music felt natural. Before anything formal happened, they simply hung out. “Puro hangs lang kami — mas maraming hangs noon kaysa jam.” The music followed slowly — test drives, small collaborations, moments that made them feel, “‘Na-miss kong katugtog ‘to, ah.’”
When they started recording Andalucia, Badjao felt the comfort settle in. In that apartment in Pasig that became their home base, he watched the organic, unhurried rhythm of the band return. There was no pressure, no ego, just instinct. Sessions blurred into nap cycles. “Pag nagre-record na ‘yung isa, magna-nap na ‘yung isa,” he laughs.
Live performance, however, is what he missed the most. “Excited ako tumugtog ulit,” he says with sincerity. Watching the others play during their solo years sparked pride: “Pag nakikita ko parang, ‘Yeah, that’s my boy!’” For him, IVOS live is a different beast entirely — rawer, louder, unpredictable in the best way: “Ibang halimaw din sila sa live, eh.”
Even the grind excites him — the cramped vans, the long soundchecks, the chaotic schedules. It’s the feeling of being part of something alive.
As the eventual touring cycle behind Andalucia approaches, patience has turned into restlessness. “Naiinip na [ako],” he admits. Yet beneath the impatience is gratitude — for the second chance, for the brotherhood that resurfaced, and for the music that brought them back.
Read the full cover story on IV OF SPADES’ comeback here.
Photographed by Shaira Luna. Creative & Fashion Direction by Daryl Chang. Art Direction by Nicole Almero & Gelo Quijencio. Styling by Bettina Bañez assisted by Mel Estillore & Arn Dela Cruz. Glam team by Nix Institute of Beauty. Makeup by Nix Soriano, Hair by WanWan Amarillo (Unique & Zild). Make up by Jean Anganangan & Hair by WanWan Podadera Amarillo (Blaster & Badjao). Production Design by Migs Alcid assisted by Jael Faelnar, Saryn Magallano, & John Lorwen Honor. Photography assisted by Emelito Lansangan & Crisaldo Soco. Production by Mika Cruz. Story by Jason Caballa.
