Kamikazee fires up Lanao del Norte's People's Day celebration

Tubod, Lanao del Norte -- It was an explosive mix of phenomenal stage performance, alternative and punk rock music loaded with an ample dose of quirky and suggestive movements that brought the house down last July 3 as Kamikazee set the MCC stage ablazed in their first-ever concert in the province.

The band is composed of five members who met in college at the College of Fine Arts of the University of the Philippines Diliman.

Kamikazee's early gigs were mostly on campus events in UP Diliman like the annual UP Fair.

Before they were signed in a major label, they went by the name "Kamikazee Cornflakes" (eventually shortened to its current state as "Kamikazee" which is easier to remember).

Their early shows included renditions of the songs "Mmm Sarap," "Tsinelas," a cover of Ariel Rivera's "Sana Kahit Minsan," and Britney Spears' Lucky.

Kamikazee consists of Jay Contreras, Jomal Linao, Led Tuyay, Puto Astete and Bords Burdeos.

"I love the melody and funny message of their songs. It's what appeal most to the youth," Kamikazee-fanatic Christopher Capio explained.

Winners of the Band Explosion competition held earlier on July 1, Genesis (1st place) and Line 1 (Champion) provided the front acts for the premier rock band in the country.

The Mindanao Civic Center Sports Complex was swarming with people from Lanao del Norte and nearby provinces who came to watch the sought-after rock group perform live their hit songs.

The evening was capped with a breath-taking musical fireworks display dubbed as "Ilaw ng Lanao del Norte" that left the people in Tubod and neighboring municipalities mesmerized.

This annual spectacle is the only one of its kind showcased in Mindanao and boasts of world-class pyrotechnics effects and effect combinations. (VNL/PIO-LDN)