Narda
| Company type | Independent band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2002 in Quezon City, Philippines |
| Founder | Ryan Villena, Wincy Aquino Ong, Katwo Librando, JV Javier, Ed Ibarra |
| Headquarters | Quezon City , Philippines |
| Products | Music albums, EPs |
Narda was a rock ensemble from the Philippines, originating in Quezon City in 2002. The founding members included drummer Ryan Villena, bassist Wincy Aquino Ong, vocalist Katwo Librando, and guitarists JV Javier and Ed Ibarra. Subsequent line-ups featured guitarists Nico Africa and Tani Santos, along with keyboardists Jep Cruz and Yaps Estagle.
Recognized as trailblazers in the Philippine indie rock movement between 2002 and 2007, Narda stood out as one of the earliest bands to independently produce and distribute their music.
History
Before forming Narda, Ryan Villena had played in groups such as Tungaw and was one of the original members of Brownman Revival. After Tungaw's dissolution in 1998, he collaborated with college peers to create Lilian, which ultimately ended due to internal disagreements. Villena then reached out to Katwo Librando and guitarist Wincy Aquino Ong to establish a new band. With the addition of guitarist JV Javier and Ateneo faculty member Ed Ibarra, Narda officially came together on July 31, 2002.
The band prioritized crafting original songs, fostering enjoyment, and supporting charitable causes—allocating a portion of their EP sales to the Tulong Dunong Scholarship Fund, which aids public school students attending Ateneo and other private institutions.
Their debut EP, A Postcard From, was released by October 2002, followed closely by Suwerte in December of the same year. Early 2003 saw the arrival of their acoustic EP titled Burador. After Ed Ibarra’s exit and the return of Nico Africa, their fourth EP, Salaguinto't Salagubang, was introduced in September 2003.
These four EPs received considerable rotation on NU 107 radio and earned Narda the In the Raw Award at the NU 107 Rock Awards in 2003. At that time, the lineup included Ryan on drums, JV and Nico on guitars, Wincy on bass, and Katwo handling vocals.
Between late 2003 and early 2004, Narda dedicated time to composing their debut full-length album. The result was Formika, recorded over a year and released through Ponkan Music in March 2005. This album featured twelve tracks and garnered favorable critical reception.
After extensive touring schedules, guitarists JV Javier and Nico Africa left due to professional obligations. Jep Cruz joined as keyboardist while Wincy transitioned back to guitar duties, steering the band's sound toward influences reminiscent of late 1970s to 1980s new wave.
In late 2005, Wincy departed to focus on filmmaking endeavors; Tani Santos replaced him on guitar. The following year, Yaps Estagle joined to provide additional synthesizer layers.
Collaborating with producers Mike Dizon and Mong Alcaraz from Sandwich and Chicosci respectively, Narda unveiled Discotillion on September 22, 2006.
Reunion
Following their split in 2007, Narda reunited on two occasions.
On September 30, 2009, they performed a one-night-only tribute concert at Mag:Net Bonifacio High Street. The event served both as a fundraiser for Typhoon Ondoy relief efforts and a homage to Alexis Tioseco and Nika Bohinc.
On February 1, 2012—marking a decade since their inception and five years after disbanding—they held what was billed as their final performance at Saguijo.
During the COVID-19 lockdown on July 13, 2020, the original members—Katwo, Ryan, Wincy, JV, Ed—alongside Nico and Tani reunited to record a new song promoting digital remasters of their early releases from 2002–2003 available on Spotify. Their first single in fourteen years titled “Juskopo” was well-received for its punk-driven riffs infused with psychedelic rock influences.
Discotrillion Vinyl Release
During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021, the band revisited and re-recorded selections from Discotillion to commemorate its fifteenth anniversary, now featuring their updated eight-member lineup. This reimagined album, retitled Discotrilion, was issued on vinyl by Backspacer Records and included four new exclusive tracks: "Wagwagan Love," "Mr. Sindak," "Duwag," and "Ikaw Lamang." The limited pressing consisted of 300 individually numbered copies on opaque pink vinyl.
The track "Ikaw Lamang" was officially released as a single through Island Records Philippines on April 22, 2022.
Ely Buendia handled the vinyl mastering at Crow's Nest Studio, while the gatefold sleeve artwork—illustrating the band as action heroes on a hand-painted billboard—was crafted by China Principe and Rezonate.
The formal launch event for the vinyl took place on April 23, 2022, at Backspacer Records in Pasig, with band members Ryan Villena, Wincy Aquino Ong, Nico Africa, Tani Santos, and Jep Cruz in attendance.
At the 2023 Awit Awards, “Mr. Sindak” received a nomination for Best Alternative Recording, and the album’s cover art was also recognized with a nomination for Best Cover Art.
Collaboration with Brutalist Pilipinas
On June 12, 2022, Narda unveiled a music video for their song "Ang Buhay T’wing Wala Ka," paying tribute to the Philippines’ Brutalist architectural heritage. This project was developed in partnership with Brutalist Pilipinas, a group dedicated to archiving and preserving such structures. The video uses motion graphics to showcase works by notable architects including Froilan Hong, Arturo Luz, and National Artist for Architecture Leandro Locsin.
Members
- Katwo Librando – vocals (2002–2007)
- Ryan Villena – drums, synthesizers, keyboards (2002–2007)
- Wincy Aquino Ong – bass guitar, guitars, piano (2002–2005)
- JV Javier – guitar (2002–2005)
- Ed Ibarra – guitar (2002–2003)
- Nico Africa – guitar (2002–2005)
- Tani Santos – guitar (2005–2007)
- Jep Cruz – synthesizers (2005–2006)
- Yaps Estagle – synthesizers (2006–2007)
Discography
- September 22, 2006 - Discotillion
- Molotov
- Buti Nga
- Ang Mitsa
- Gasolina
- Kay Lab
- Halik
- Batang Munti
- Golden Boy
- Alta Presyon
- 100 Taon
- Kamikazee
- March 5, 2005 - Formika
- Pantalon
- 1-800-HEY
- Kometa Astrolabe
- Nico
- Biyernes
- Glum
- Detox
- Hudas Not Pay
- Tayo Na
- Disquiet
- Lipad (Theme from Darna)
- Salamin Sibuyas / Tetrapak
- September 30, 2003 - Salaguinto't Salagubang
- Vanillin
- Daylight Savings Time
- Saan Na?
- Liwanag
- Jaywalker
- March 15, 2003 - Burador
- Another Day
- Pasensya Na
- Santong Paspasan
- Ang Gabi
- December 13, 2002 - Suwerte
- Tanga
- In The Afternoon
- Leave
- Suwerte
- August 15, 2002 - A Postcard From
- Crime-Fighting Mama
- Hypochondriac
- Meron Ba?
- Kusina