Pupil are a Filipino alternative rock band. They currently consist of vocalist Ely Buendia, lead guitarist Jerome Velasco, bassist Dok Sergio, and drummer Wendell Garcia.
Formed as a spin-off of the Mongols, Pupil released their debut album Beautiful Machines in 2005. Jugo left soon after and was replaced by Garcia. The band released their second album Wild Life in 2007. Their third studio album, Limiters of the Infinity Pool, was released in 2011, after which Yuzon left the band in 2013. Velasco joined the band in 2014 after having produced Wild Life. They released their fourth studio album Zilch in 2015.
History 2005–2006: Formation, Beautiful Machines Pupil was formed in 2005 as a spin-off of the Mongols, an underground band featuring Eraserheads vocalist Buendia, Teeth guitarist Velasco, Yuzon (bass), and Jugo (drums). When Velasco left the band to study in the United States, the band members recruited Sergio (who also played guitar for Teeth), who swapped duties with Yuzon and played bass.
Buendia got the name for Pupil after reading a medical book. Other names that were considered were Narcom, Tyrel Corp, Traitors, and The Gets. The band's manager and Buendia's then-partner Diane Ventura described Pupil's sound as "more pop" while the Mongols were "guitar-driven".
The band signed with Sony BMG on September and released their debut album Beautiful Machines in November. It featured the lead single “Nasaan Ka?”, which was written by Ventura (who also sings in the title track). A music video was directed by Quark Henares. “Nasaan Ka?” later won Best Performance by a New Group at the 19th Awit Awards.
The band contributed a song to the animated film Hoodwinked! called “Blow Your House Down”. The film, which was the first independently produced 3D animated feature to be produced in the Philippines, later premiered in December.
In 2006, the band collaborated with Barbie Almalbis on the Rockoustic Mania promotional campaign for Juicy Fruit. They released a promotional CD with two songs, “Nakakabaliw” and “Must Have”.
2007–2010: Animax, Wild Life In 2007, the band were commissioned to write a new theme song for Animax. They recorded two songs, “Matador” and “Set Me Apart”, with the latter being chosen. It was released in May 2007 with an animated music video premiering the following month. The video later won Best Music Video at the PromaxBDA Awards the following year. "Set Me Apart" also became Jugo’s last song with the band, as he left soon after.
The band added drummer Wendell Garcia of Barbie's Cradle to their lineup and released their second studio album Wild Life in November. It featured the singles "Sala", "Monobloc", "Teacher's Pet", and "Disconnection Notice". It was later rereleased as a special edition with bonus tracks in 2009.
The band opened for Nine Inch Nails in Manila on their Wave Goodbye tour in August 2009. They also recorded the theme song for the 2009 film Ang Panday, with a music video directed by Ventura.
In May 2010, the band released a book, Against the Light: A Pupil Tour Diary. They also opened for Tears for Fears with Buendia’s former bandmate Raimund Marasigan’s band Sandwich in the same month. The band contributed to Buendia’s collaborative album with rapper Francis M., In Love and War, released in 2010 after his death.
2011–2013: Limiters of the Infinity Pool The band released their third album Limiters of the Infinity Pool in January 2011. It features the singles “TNT” and “20/20”, of which a music video was shot on the empty streets of EDSA during Holy Week.
After Sony Music Philippines disbanded in 2012, Pupil signed with MCA Music. The band performed with General Luna at Dubai, United Arab Emirates in February 2013. Yuzon left the band soon after.
2014–present: Zilch, hiatus In 2014, Velasco officially joined the band as lead guitarist. He had previously worked with the band on their first two albums. The band released the first single from their upcoming album Zilch titled “Out of Control” in July. Its music video was directed by Erin Pascual and featured model Ornusa Cadness in a post-apocalyptic Manila. The band represented the Philippines at the annual Sundown Festival in Singapore on November.
Zilch was released in March 2015. Its follow-up singles included “Why” and “Cheap Thrill”.
The band was slated to perform at De La Salle University in June 2016, but later backed out after Buendia felt that the organizers "acted in bad faith" by promoting him instead of his band. In March 2019, the band performed with General Luna in Parañaque.
After a five-year hiatus, the band reunited for a live show with Sandwich and Chicosci in March 2024.
Members Current members Ely Buendia - vocals, rhythm guitar Dok Sergio - bass, vocals Wendell Garcia - drums, vocals Jerome Velasco - lead guitar
Former members Yanni Yuzon - lead guitar, vocals Bogs Jugo - drums, vocals
Timeline
Discography Studio albums TitleAlbum detailsBeautiful MachinesReleased: November 11, 2005 Label: Sony BMG Music Entertainment Format: CDWild LifeReleased: November 9, 2007 Label: Sony BMG Music Entertainment (Philippines), Inc. Format: CDLimiters of the Infinity PoolReleased: January 19, 2011 Label: Sony Music Philippines Format: CDZilchReleased: March 6, 2015 Label: MCA Music Format: CD
Extended plays Juicy Fruit Rockoustic Mania (with Barbie Almalbis) (Sony BMG Entertainment (Philippines), 2006)
Singles +List of singles, showing year released and album name Title Year Album"Nasaan Ka?" 2005Beautiful Machines"Dianetic"2006"Dulo Ng Dila""Gamu-Gamo""Set Me Apart"2007Wild Life"Sala""Monobloc"2008"Teacher's Pet"2009"Disconnection Notice""TNT"2011Limiters of the Infinity Pool"20/20""Out of Control"2014Zilch"Why"2015"Cheap Thrill"2016
Other appearances Title Year Album "Blow Your House Down" 2005 Hoodwinked (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) "Bleeder" 2010 In Love and War
Music videos Year Title Director2005"Nasaan Ka?"Quark Henares"Dianetic"2006"Dulo Ng Dila"Wincy Ong and King Palisoc"Nakakabaliw"R.A. Rivera"Must Have"Pancho Esguerra2007”Set Me Apart”Tracy Wong"Sala"Wincy Ong2008"Monobloc"King Palisoc2009"Teacher's Pet""Disconnection Notice"Quark Henares"Different Worlds (Live)""Ang Panday"Diane Ventura2011"TNT""20/20"Jason Tan2014"Out of Control"Erin Pascual2015"Why"Mike Talampas and Nick Santiago2016"Cheap Thrill"Erin Pascual
Awards and nominations Year Award giving body Category Nominated work Results2006Awit AwardsBest Performance By A New GroupPupilMTV PilipinasBest Rock Video Award"Nasaan Ka?"Best DirectorQuark Henares for "Nasaan Ka?"NU Rock AwardsBassist of The YearDok SergioProducer/s of The YearPatrick Tirano (Beautiful Machines)Song of The Year"Nasaan Ka?"Band of The YearPupilAlbum of The Year"Beautiful Machines"SOPBreakthrough Recording Artist of The YearPupilBest Vocalist (Pasiklaband Awards)Ely BuendiaBest Rock Band (Pasiklaband Awards)Pupil2007Awit AwardsMusic Video of The Year"Dulo Ng Dila"MYX Music AwardsFavorite Media Soundtrack"Nakakabaliw" with Barbie Almalbis for Juicy Fruit Rockoustic ManiaNU Rock AwardsSong of The Year"Sala"OPM Songhits AwardsBest Performance by a Group/BandPupilBest Male VocalistEly BuendiaBest Song for a Movie/TV/Stage play"Set Me Apart"Rock Icon AwardEly Buendia2008Awit AwardsBest Performance By A Group Recording Artist/s "Sala"Best Performance By A Group Recording Artist/s "Sala"Best Rock Recording"Sala"Best World/Alternative/Bossa Music"Sala"NU Rock AwardsProducer Of The YearJerome Velasco (Wild Life)Drummer Of The YearWendell GarciaAlbum Of The YearWild LifeArtist Of The YearPupilBest Music Video"Monobloc"Vocalist of the YearEly BuendiaBassist of The YearDok SergioSong of the Year"Monobloc"Promax/BDA Awards (New York City)Best Music Video"Set Me Apart"SOPBest Rock Band (Pasiklaband Awards)Pupil2009NU Rock AwardsSong of The Year"Different Worlds" (Live Version)Song of The Year"Teacher's Pet"Best Music Video"Teacher's Pet" Directed by King Palisoc2012MYX Music AwardsFavorite Music Video"20/20" Directed by Jason TanFavorite Song"20/20"Favorite Rock Video"20/20" Directed by Jason TanAwit AwardsMusic Video of the Year"20/20" Directed by Jason TanBest Engineered RecordingPatrick Tirano2015MYX Music AwardsFavorite Rock Video"Out of Control" Directed by Erin Pascual2016MYX Music AwardsFavorite Rock Video"Why" Directed by Mike Talampas and Nick Santiago
References
External links
Pupil PinoyBanda Profile LivELY: Coming Together for Ely Buendia