The AEGIS band bio

(from the AGs Talent Development and Management Services)It's hard to believe that a musical group could last this long in the business of making music, traveling to foreign shores, sharing rooms, food, stories and lives. But that's the reality. The AEGIS band has truly become a family after years of shared experiences. Furthermore, they are not merely a family. Due to the potpourri of native roots within the band, the AEGIS members also seem to represent the three major islands of thePhilippines.The original members include Juliet Sonot and Mercy Sunot-Borjal, the lead vocalists, came all the way from Cagayan de Oro City. Stella Maries Galindo-Pabico is from Misamis Occidental. Vilma Goloviogo is fromManila, while bass guitarist Rowena "Weng" Pinpin-Adriano is a Pampaguea. The lone male member, Rey Abenoja, hails fromSouthern Leyte. The newest member of AEGIS is the youngest sister of Juliet and Mercy, Kris Sunot is also from Cagayan de Oro.Initially, the members of AEGIS were from different bands under one management - AG Talent Development and Management. In the early 90s, their managers Mr. and Mrs. Solito Galindo have decided to merge this talented group into one, forming then AGs Sound Trippers Band. In 1998, it was decided that they enter the music industry therefore changing the bands name to AEGIS. It was only in February 2011 when Kris Sunot, who is also known as Ken and the youngest sister of Juliet and Mercy, was integrated in the bunch. The managers and the original members of Aegis have agreed to include Ken to the band not only to broaden the groups already extensive repertoire but also to cater to the younger generation. While Kens older sisters are known for their husky yet powerful vocals, Ken on the other hand has a voice thats a combination of her sisters. Ken mainly handles the RnB genre of AEGIS repertoire.

To these Aegeans, having joined Aegis is the best thing that has happened to them. Sure, they had been playing their music with other groups before, but it was only when they got together as Aegis that they felt this strong bond, an unseen link that has been seeing them through all these years.

Why is the band called AEGIS?

There are actually two reasons why the group has opted for the name AEGIS. First, the group was formerly known as AGs Sound Trippers. AGs was the name of their managers company coined from their last names Abenoja-Galindo. But, since the band name was too long, they opted to go for AGs or in other words AEGIS. Second, the literary meaning of AEGIS is "Shield" or "Protection" from the Greek Mythology used by Zeus (Greek father of gods). The group decided to adapt this word as the name of their band, because it expresses what they want to share to their listeners, to feel when they listen to their songs, that of being "protected" and "shielded" from being lonely. Most of the songs they chose for their album are love songs. They are hoping that lovers will find their songs as a protection from being lonely and broken-hearted.

The band members are just as grateful to their manager,Mr. Solito Galindowho runs theAGs Talent Development and Management Services, a management company that specializes in training, developing and managing female bands in thePhilippinesand to theirComposer, the late Celso Abenoja.Celso Abenoja, brother of Rey Abenoja and Josie Galindo, whos the wife of their manager, wrote all of the songs Aegis recorded in their first album. They were songs written 30 years ago, and were given new life by the group. Celso is a prolific songwriter and a former band player himself but was sidetracked by some sad personal circumstances. His songs never got to be played in that long span of time until this band of music-makers fromJapancame along.

The success of Aegis and Celso's songs of sad, personal circumstances has revived the once dormant Celso, who was more inspired than ever to write again. After two hit albums of pop-rock and county rock music (debut album "Halik" and sophomore album "Mahal na Mahal Kita"), Celso have decided to go disco in Aegis' album Ating sayawin. Alpha records also issued an all-Christmas album for them, "Paskung-Paskowhich features hit songs "Christmas Bonus" and "Sana'y Kapiling Ka Ngayong Pasko". Celsos deeply touched of his songs and how Aegis has helped turn around those songs from oblivion. At the moment, group has released 10 albums; the latest being Back To Love which contains some of the most requested cover songs. Currently, the group is working on their 11th album, which will contain all original, this time including Ken Sunot and Rey Abenoja as the composer for some of the songs.Since the release of their first album, the group has been constantly invited to numerous TV shows in the Philippines, the Aegis band was never a stranger in the halls of ABS-CBN, GMA, TV5, you name it! In 2005, Aegis Band sang the theme song of Krystala featuring Judy Ann Santos, which was then a big hit, aired nightly at ABS-CBN. Aside from that, they also performed Kisapmata the theme song for GMA 7s show ESP and the theme song for ABS-CBNs Rated K.

The group says they never planned on an active career in thePhilippines, much less, dream of becoming recording artists and idols to the masses. To them, earning a living out of music and performing before foreigners in clubs and lounges all overJapanwas enough. It was enough that they could earn a fewlapad's, stay in nice hotels overseas, indulge in great food, and have some extra money left to send over relatives in the Philippines.

The success that this Pinoy band achieved on local shores opened opportunities for them to share their music with Filipinos and foreigners alike as they toured countries like USA, Canada, Europe, UK, Scandinavian Countries,Australia, UAE, Saipan, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Korea, Hong Kong & Japan.For as long as there are Filipinos and fans anywhere in the world who longs for great music and entertainment, AEGIS will be there to provide that.

AWARDS & ACHIEVEMENTS:

March 05, 2004

Best Finals Night Interpreter Award,

Himig Handog Love Songs 2004 of ABS CBN

July 13, 2003

Gold Record Award, Ating Balikan Album

May 26, 2002

Double Platinum Record Award, Mahal Na Mahal Kita Album

February 18, 2002

Quadruple Platinum Record Award, Halik Album

October 11, 2001

Best Christmas Recording 14th Awit Awards

September 17, 2001

Top Entertainer Awardee as Best Rock Band

By The Whos Who in the Philippines Award

March 26, 2000

Gold Record Award, Mahal Na Mahal Kita Album

July 08, 2000

Triple Platinum Record Award, Halik Album

December 05, 1999

Double Platinum Record Award, Halik Album

May 14, 1999

Platinum Record Award, Halik Album

January 31, 1999

Gold Record Award, Halik Album

RECORDING:

1998

Halik, released from Alpha Recording Company

1999

Mahal Na Mahal Kita, Alpha Recording Company

1999

Paskung Pasko, Alpha Recording Company

2000

Jubilee Album ( Various Artists), Alpha Recoding Company

2000

Awit at Pag-ibig, Alpha Recording Company

2000

Ating Balikan, Alpha Recording Company

2000

Muling Balikan, Alpha Recording Company

2000

Ating Sayawin, Alpha Recording Company

2006 Aegis Greatest Hits, Alpha Recording Company

2009

Back to Love, Alpha Recording Company