Pink Pepper, a new all-female Filipino band is ready to take the Pinoy music industry in Qatar by storm. With members who are all Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), they comprise a group with an empowering message and a mission to inspire women from all walks of life through their music.
The band consists of band leader Mylene ‘Myles’ Inalisan from Las Piñas on drums, Kaila Taduran from Quezon City on vocals and guitar, Debielee ‘Debbie’ Montano from Nueva Ecija on Keyboard, Kristianne Dalugtog from on guitar and Jennifer ‘Boom’ Collen Velarde from Quezon City on main vocals.
Together, these five talented musicians form Pink Pepper. Get to know the band in this interview with Qatar Tribune.
How did you choose your band name? What’s the story behind it?
Our band leader Myles picked ‘Pink Pepper’ as our group’s name to emphasize that this is an all-female band, which color pink usually signifies. Pepper is to add spice and flavor to our moniker. Despite the soft and cutesy name, we wanted our band to be known as a team of OFWs who are full of inspiration and determination.
What inspired you to form this band?
The idea of forming our band was hatched from MD Studio wherein the bands who are usually practicing there are all men or a mix of genders. It was then that Myles decided to form our band with all female members.
Myles, who is the founder of Pink Pepper, started to play drums recently at the age of 39. She used to be a lyricist in Sto Niño Drum and Lyre Band during her school days.
If you’re not performing on stage, what are your day jobs?
Myles is an Acting Brand Manager of an international food chain. Kaila is an Account Assistant. Debbie is a nurse aid. Kristianne Dalugtog is a Medical Technologist. Jennifer is a Document Controller/Secretary/Admin.
What genre of music would you say your band falls under?
We are currently playing pop rock but we’re trying to expand our horizon in terms of music.
Where do you draw inspiration from?
We are thankful to local bands that help us get to where we are right now including Bullboyz, Mephisto, Exhorts, Candy Studio, MD Studio, Sir Nort, Sir Bowee Sir Gie, Mr. Benedict Alamag and Ms. Amor Constantino. Special thanks also to the original members of Pink Pepper – Mia, Jhen and Mikkai. They inspired us from the start.
How long has your band been together?
Originally Pink Pepper started in 2021 and re-grouped in 2023.
Did you compose your songs or do covers?
As one of our members is also a composer, this is our plan in the future. Now, we’re doing covers.
What do you feel sets your band apart from other bands in your genre?
We’re women who can play instruments!
What’s the best show or tour you’ve ever played and why was it special to you?
It was the first stage show of Pink Pepper in a Hollyween event with the original cast in 2021.
What’s next for Pink Pepper?
Composition of original songs and covers.
How did you get your start in music?
Some of us are born to be musicians who can sing and play instruments since we’re young. But, others learned to play musical instruments during our past time as OFWs to fight boredom and homesickness.
What are some of the challenges you face as a band?
Our schedules. Our regular jobs make it challenging for us to set our rehearsals.
What has been your most memorable show or tour to date?
Before, when the original Pink Pepper band was invited to perform at the beach.
What do you hope people take away from your music?
Aside from music, we want to inspire women to love music and be musicians.
What’s the best advice that you’ve ever been given as musicians?
Most musicians are born to be musicians. But there are those who are self-made. If you have a dream to be like that, learn it, practice it more as this is an important element.
What is your message to our readers?
Life is so short and just enjoy every second of it. We must enjoy our life as an OFW and one way to enjoy it is with music!
Like all aspiring musicians, the Pink Pepper members have their band role models whom they look up to for inspiration such as the Cranberries and Paramore.
Fusing Rock and OPM, the band also sought inspiration from The Beatles and some Pinoy bands. Catch them perform live on their upcoming gigs across Qatar.
