Members:Bong - Vox, Guitars | Andrew - Bass, back-up Vox | Peter - Durms
Grin Department
The band started in October 1995 in a simple BANGKO or TAMBAYAN in STA.MESA.. Unexpectedly they were discovered by a well-known record producer from L.A.105fm..
The group was invited to submit a demo for an alternative band compilation project to be produced by VICOR MUSIC Corp. After the top executives of the recording company heard and played their demo , it was decided that the band will given a solo album instead.
In the first quarter of 1996 the group made history in the Philippine music industry as the first band to release a 2 debut album. In just two months after its release, they reached a GOLD PLATINUM AWARD and reached of the DOUBLE PLATINUM ALBUM.
For almost 10 years of alternative punk rock music struggle.. The GRIN DEPARTMENT band are still re progressing the contemporary Filipino taste in this millennium year.
The trend evolves and the present wave is much aggressive than the past 90's trend.
As we go back and review the early mid 90's rock scene were the alternative novelty punk exist. We could find out that each songs of a band has its direct lyrics and communication to the mass. The mass which the MARKET really ignites on... The "PINOY ROCK MUSIC LIVES" even until now. Were not saying the bands doing such "FOREIGN WANNABE'S" is a crop shit... their good only in terms of instrumental technicalities and fashion but not in a real way of moral and existing society. The survey cannot cheat the real face of underground and mainstream music market. Wannabe's are good but not heart enough to please the majority nationwide and even abroad.
The band made history in the Philippine music industry by being the first to release a double debut album in 1996 - HAHEHIHOHU and MELTS IN YOUR MOUTH (Nut in your Head). Two months after its market release the album reached TRIPPLE PLATINUM. It was then followed up by a special EP album - PRE' PARE, which was the prelude to another hit album - FUEGO. After sometime the band took a break and returned in 2000 with an album - 2NAH AHGEN, which showed us a new side of the band. The songs 8PA, Friends, Airbrush, and First Time were among the favorite cut in the album.
Presently, the band is working on their latest album that will be released soon. Loaded with delightful new comic surprises where music meets comic-moment; these new materials have an edgy, ageless and timeless qualities that you would enjoy listening.
Grin Department's unique style of music and performances in delivering their interpretation of life's blues, blunders and misadventures has always been their distinct trademark.
On stage the band easily connects to their audience very candidly. It is a perfect moment - its crazy, colorful, exciting and definitely memorable.
Discography:
Hahehihohu
Melts in our Mouth (nut in your head)
Fuego
2nah Ahgen
The best of...
and watch out for the up-coming album titled "IPUTOK MO SA LABAS".
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Bob Ong
Bob Ong, or Roberto Ong, is thepseudonym of a Filipino contemporary author known for using conversational Filipino to create humorous and reflective depictions of life as a Filipino.
One reviewer notes (translated from the vernacular):
" Filipinos really patronize Bob Ong's works because, while most of his books may have an element of comedy in them, this is presented in a manner that replicates Filipino culture and traditions. This is likely the reason why his first book - and those that followed it, can be considered true Pinoy classics."
The six books he has published thus far have surpassed a quarter of a million copies.
The website and the pseudonym
The pseudonym Bob Ong came about when the author was working as a web developer and a teacher, and he put up the Bobong Pinoy website in his spare time. The name of the site roughly translates as "Dumb Filipino," used fondly as a diminutive term. Although impressed, Bob Ong notes, "my boss would've fired me had he known I was the one behind it." When someone contacted him after mistaking him as an actual person named Bob Ong, his famous pseudonym was born. The site received a People's Choice Philippine Web Award for Weird/Humor in 1998, but was taken down after former President Joseph "Erap" Estrada was ousted after the Second People Power Revolution.
Pseudonym Confusion
There has been occasional confusion between Bob Ong and Filipino-Chinese author Charlson Ong. However, according to Bob Ong's account in Stainless Longganisa, he is not actually Filipino-Chinese. Neither is he actually named "Ong." The family name "Ong" just evolved out of play of words that was the BobOng Pinoy website.
It has also been suggested that the poet, Paolo Manalo, is Bob Ong, but he has denied this. The books of Bob Ong are often humorous can produce feelings of nostalgia for the reader.
Another theory also states that Carlos Palanca Memorial Awardee for Literature, Prof. Eros S. Atalia, graduate of Philippine Normal University and is now a teacher in the University of Santo Tomas, is Bob Ong. He also produced two books with Visual Print Enterprise, entitled "Peksman, Mamatay ka Man Nagsisinungaling Ako" and "Lapit na me, Ligo na u". Atalia's writing style falls under a similar type Bob Ong uses. (But if you examine the context, particularly on the author's political view and religious view, Atalia is way too different from Bob Ong)
Published works
*ABNKKBSNPLAko?!(Aba, Nakakabasa na pala Ako!) (2001)
* Bakit Baligtad Magbasa ng Libro ang mga Pilipino? (2002)
* Ang Paboritong Libro ni Hudas (2003)
*Alamat ng Gubat (2003)
*Stainless Longganisa (2005)
*Macarthur (2007)
*Kapitan Sino (2009)
*Ang Mga Kaibigan ni Mama Susan (2010)
