Moonstar88 Celebrates 25 Years of Music and Memories with New Album Habambuhay

After 25 years of making music and creating lasting connections with fans, Filipino rock band Moonstar88 welcomes a new chapter with Habambuhay, a 13-track album inspired by real-life experiences, personal stories, and emotions gathered throughout their journey. The album brings together compositions from the band’s members, reflecting their growth both as individuals and as musicians. From enduring hits like “Torete” and “Migraine” to more recent releases such as “Kape Tayo,” Moonstar88 continues to create music that resonates across generations. For the band, the album title represents the lasting bond they share with their loyal listeners, whom they fondly call Moonstareros. “At this point, we’re seeing the original fans who grew up listening to us bringing their own children to our shows, and those kids are becoming fans of our music, too,” the band shared.The album explores love, longing, missed opportunities, and the importance of cherishing the people who matter most. Among its most personal moments are songs that reflect how time becomes more precious as people grow older and how even brief moments with loved ones can hold lasting meaning. Guitarist Herbert Hernandez highlighted this sentiment, sharing, “Sometimes, having even a little time with someone is better than having none at all.” His reflection underscores the album’s emphasis on genuine human connection in a world where digital communication often takes the place of face-to-face interaction. Through its deeply personal stories, Habambuhay hopes to become a soundtrack for listeners navigating their own relationships and life experiences.

For vocalist and guitarist Maysh Baay, the album also gives voice to emotions that people sometimes struggle to express, particularly the words left unsaid to someone they love. Reflecting on a particularly meaningful theme in the record, she shared, “So many of us have relatable moments where we missed to share a vulnerable part of our heart to a loved one.” She described the song as an opportunity to release those feelings, find self-forgiveness, and begin healing. Meanwhile, Bon Sundiang emphasized the commitment behind lasting relationships, pointing to the importance of trust, honesty, and dedication in keeping promises. “It won’t always be easy, but some promises are worth every bit of the effort,” he shared, capturing the enduring emotional core of Habambuhay.The album came together from songs the band had accumulated over time, alongside a conscious decision to release a full-length record after years of putting out singles and EPs. Some compositions originated during the pandemic, including songs influenced by Herbert’s songwriting classes with Jim Paredes and Gary Granada, while contributions from Maysh, Bon, and Darwin Hernandez, the songwriter behind “Torete,” helped shape the record’s identity. The 

band tapped Rye Sarmiento of 6cyclemind as producer, working closely with him to rediscover Moonstar88’s signature sound and put greater emphasis on songwriting rather than overcomplicated arrangements. The production also features keyboardist Choi Padilla, string arranger Ria Osorio, and bass contributions from Jazz Jorge of gracenote and Bobby Canamo of 6cyclemind. With live strings, thoughtful arrangements, and carefully developed album artwork, Habambuhay reflects the collective effort of the band and the creative team behind the release.As Moonstar88 celebrates this milestone, the band remains focused on bringing Habambuhay to more listeners through its album launch and plans for a world tour. Following an amazing Canada tour last year, the group hopes to return and visit even more countries, continuing to share its music with audiences beyond the Philippines. The band also hopes to create more music videos following “Kape Tayo,” believing in the power of visual storytelling to give its songs another dimension. Above all, Moonstar88 hopes listeners will find something among the album’s 13 tracks that inspires them, moves them, or helps them articulate emotions they have struggled to put into words. More than a celebration of 25 years in music, Habambuhay is a promise to keep creating, connecting, and sharing stories with Moonstareros for many years to come.

The release of Habambuhay was celebrated with a successful album launch at Backyard Live Spotlight, where hundreds of attendees gathered to celebrate Moonstar88’s 25-year musical journey and welcome the band’s latest full-length record. The event brought together longtime Moonstareros, co-artists (HEY JUNE!, Gracenote, The Vowels They Orbit, James Lagadia, 6cyclemind, Banda ni Kleggy, Better Days and Imago), music fans for a special celebration of 

the band’s enduring contributions to the Philippine music scene. The strong turnout reflected the continued support for Moonstar88 and the lasting connection its songs have built with listeners across generations. More than a milestone celebration, the launch marked another meaningful chapter for the band as it introduced the stories and emotions behind its 13-track album. With Habambuhay, Moonstar88 continues to honor its musical legacy while looking forward to creating more memories with its fans for years to come.