Filipino alternative pop outfit Orange & Lemons has finally dropped the iconic music video of “La Bulaqueña,” featuring fellow Bulakenya and Miss Universe Philippines 2024 Chelsea Manalo.
Conceptualized and directed by constant collaborators Everywhere We Shoot, the MV showcases the parallel storylines of O&L and Manalo and how they were deeply connected together by a turn-of-the-century portraiture called Una Bulaqueña in terms of geographic affinity and influence.
The said masterpiece, which was helmed by Juan Luna y Novicio, carries an unassuming naturalness that depicts a Filipina from an elite countryside background, one who is assumed to be from Bulacan.
“The symbolic repetition of the painting deepens the narrative and signifies the theme,” Clem Castro, the lead vocalist and guitarist of seminal alternative rock outfit, Orange & Lemons, explains.
An unexpected collaboration
During her Miss Universe Philippines campaign, Chelsea Manalo’s team used “La Bulaqueña” as the background music for one of her concept photography, which mimics the subject of the Juan Luna painting. The posts from her team and fans eventually went viral on TikTok and other social media platforms, prompting the band to revive the idea of filming the song’s visual narrative, with Chelsea completing the missing piece of the puzzle.
Castro shares, “Working with Chelsea was a breeze. She was a natural behind the lens and a jolly individual. A true beauty queen, both inside and out.”
Aside from Manalo, the Moonlane Gardens act also collaborated with the National Museum of Fine Arts to turn their vision into a reality. As the first band to film a music video inside the museum, O&L were able to fulfill a dream project: mixing music, culture, arts, architecture, and pageantry in a contemporary setting and theme.
“Our team and label did a couple of inquiries, and the stars aligned,” Castro reveals. “We are grateful that the National Museum of Fine Arts decided to partner with us with this project.”
25th anniversary concert
Aside from the release of “La Bulaqueña” MV, Orange & Lemons recently announced their upcoming heafline show, aptly titled “Now & Then: Orange & Lemons 25th Anniversary Concert, happening on October 18, 2024, from 7 p.m. onwards. at the Metrotent Convention Center in Pasig City.
The award-winning four-piece band is slated to perform a three-hour set featuring some of their most notable songs—crowd pleasers, critical favorites, and rarities—from their generation-defining, four-album catalog.
The highly anticipated event aims to celebrate the band’s incredible journey from their indie beginnings (Love in the Land of Rubber Shoes and Dirty Ice Cream) to their mainstream success (Strike Whilst the Iron Is Hot), from their psychedelic era (Moonlane Gardens) to their Tagalog-flavored pivot (La Bulaqueña), all leading up to a discography that exudes with daring intimacy and ambition.
In an open letter posted two weeks ago, O&L expressed utmost appreciation to the fan’s unwavering support and passion for their music.
“Reaching this quarter-century milestone feels like a dream come true, and it’s a testament to the incredible community that surrounds us,” shares Clem Castro, the lead vocalist and guitarist of seminal pop-rock outfit, Orange & Lemons. Each chord we strummed, each lyric we penned, and every note we sang has been made richer by your enthusiasm and love. You’ve been with us through the highs and lows. From our beginnings as truggling artists, to our rise to fame, the heartaches of disbanding and a decade of quiet moments, the reformation and new releases. We couldn’t have done it without you.”
For this game-changing concert, the Lihim act also promises a diverse selection of songs from their wide-spanning discography that define different eras and stages of their career. “We normally play short sets on the big stage all over the country, leaving out most of our catalog in favor of more popular ones. For this concert, we want to bring to the big stage and perform live, if not all, a majority of songs from our past 4 albums. Expect us to perform and tell our story for over 3 hours!”
Aside from the main show, fans can also access the Meet and Greet segment of the concert, where they not only get a chance to interact and shake hands with the band, but also experience a special set featuring songs and covers that didn’t make it to the final cut of the 3-hour set.
“NOW AND THEN” 25th Anniversary Concert is produced by Orange & Lemons and Lilystars Records, in cooperation with GNN Entertainment Productions. This event is sponsored by JB Music, Marco Polo Hotel, David’s Salon, Fisherman’s Friend, Suit It Up Manila, Unknown13 Pub, and Welcome Home Café.
Tickets are available at https://orangeandlemons.helixpay.ph with the following tiers:
General Admission (PHP 2,000) – access to the concert
VIP (PHP 2,500) – access to the VIP section and access to the Meet and Greet
SVIP (PHP 3,500): access to the VIP section, access to the soundcheck and the Meet and Greet, and limited-edition merchandise
