When it comes to heavy metal or thrash metal music in Palawan, a band called 66Farenheit is the name to shout out and called for, their intense, powerful and aggressive sounds was embraced by the local aficionados who can appreciate loud and virtuosic sound quality.
The three-man band is composed of Joseph Allan Hernando as the lead and singer, with Joseph Manaay as the bassist, and Joseph Hamora for the drums, they are a replica of the band formed by Hernando way back in 1998 in Manila. Hernando first set foot in Palawan in 2001 for a month long stint in Baragatan Festival as guest guitarist for local Rubber Soul band, he got smitten by love bug and decided to stay here and riskily ventured in forming his own band with local members.
“No’ng nag start ‘yung banda maraming critics, marami nagsasabi na baka nasisiraan na ‘ko ng ulo kasi Slayer explicit lyrics, tapos meron silang mga sign na inverted cross na hindi tatanggapin ng society ng Palawan, pero siguro thru integrity napatunayan namin ‘yung tao sa Palawan naghahanap ng something new,” Hernando said.
With many wrong notions about people who love thrash metal, Hernando explained that they are good people besides the long hair look that loves wearing black shirt. He repeatedly explained that they are not praising devil works rather it’s an art they passionately performed and shared to those who can understand them. He is proud to say that their band including majority of their followers are doing well and usually offer help for those in need.
“Mga long hair, mga naka itim na t-shirt, ang misconception sa mga yan devil worshippers isa, pangalawa mga drug addicts, pangatlo mga walang future, so far ang 66F Gang lahat sila employed ng 66 Fahrenheit Management, tsaka ‘yung 66 Fahrenheit humanist group, do’n na sila kumukuha ng earnings nila pati ako, gano’n kami mga self-sufficient group na hindi man gano’n kalaki ang kinikita pero we are earning,” Hernando explain.
Hernando, a Civil Engineering major from Technological Institute of the Philippines announced that the band is on works for their first 9 track album. However pandemic affected their planned recordings but they are pursuing to finish and release it this year.
66Fahrenheit music according to Hernando are all inspired by classic rock more on instrumental type, what’s unique with their band is they were able to showcase it with only three members, versus the usual 4 or 5 man band.
“ ‘Yung mixture or ‘yung talagang flavor ng music namin is Classical music, classic rock from the 70’s at saka ‘yung Slayer which is the heaviest metal band of all time sa boung mundo, so do’n lang kami naka stick do’n ‘yung integrity namin, hanggang mamatay kami ‘yun lang talaga formula namin,” Hernando added.
66Fahrenheit is notable for many charity gigs in the past, many of their loyal followers became their family that support them all the way. Their t-shirt merchandise was a hit in their social media accounts and even reach followers from abroad.
“ ‘Yung mga followers namin pwede kong sabihin mga loyal diehard fans, kasi nakaka tugtog kami ng El Nido, tumutugtog kami ng Rio Tuba, Brookes Point, Espanola, sumusunod sila, so ‘yung effort nila and money kailangan nila mag spend, yung 66 farenhiet isa kami sa pinaka mahirap na banda rito pero sinusundan naman nila,” Hernando said.
At present, the band is working for a cause project targeting the Batak tribes. They are also in planning to hold workshops for the young ones who want to learn how to play guitar, they are also booked in many charity shows in the City in the coming months, helping those who need support for medical treatment, and some others.
“Siguro hindi kami ‘yung nauna, maraming rock or metal bands dito sa Palawan pero I will say maybe kami ‘yung pinaka well established, kasi even from the rest of the metal bands here sinasabi nila kami ‘yung heart ng heavy metal music here,” Hernando gist in closing the interview.
To get updates, follow 6Fahrenheit in their Facebook page.