I recall the first time I heard her then band, Paramita back when I was in high school. Getting ready for class I would have NU 107 playing on my Casio radio and I heard "Hiling" - it tugged at my heart for sure. I waited patiently for the song to end so that Trish could announce the name of the band behind this now legendary heart break anthem. Spotify and Soundcloud wasn't in existence back then
so I took to Google to find out more about Paramita. I was pleasantly surprised to find out their drummer was not only a bad ass chick but was also the vocalist! She was the one and only, Ria Bautista. I could go on and on about how awesome she is - paving the way for women musicians, showing us she can hit just as hard as Abe Cunningham and Jose Pasillas and belt out those notes straight from her heart. Her live performances are electric, believe me. But there is one thing that I will always find truly amazing about Ria - that is her undying love and passion to fight for the homegrown indie. She is a warrior for the unheard local flavor. This is noted not only in her music but prevalent in her very own clothing company TIGASOUTH, a store Ria has set up with her friends to further penetrate the music scene and showcase the roots she's ever so happy to brag about. Proud to raise the flag for Pinoy indie music, one of the most talented drummers and simultaneous vocalists, take note - and now she is one step closer taking the world of OPM by storm, this time standing on her own two feet. Manila needs more like Ria. Loud, proud and ready for action.
- ANNIE ALCANTARA