Davao-based college band Eevee bagged the grand prize in this year’s NESCAFÉ 3in1 Soundskool. The competition capped off its fifth successful year with a full concert featuring the lucky 13 NESCAFÉ 3in1 Soundskool finalists, as well as some of the country’s best musical acts at the Ninoy Aquino Sports Stadium. Eevee, composed of Enzo Miguel Villegas (vocals and guitar), Paolo Raymundo Segura (lead guitar), Jerrick Adrian Sy (bass) and Craig John Neniel (drums), won the competition’s ₱250,000 cash prize, an exclusive record label deal with Sony Music Entertainment Philippines, and ₱150,000 worth of music equipment for the school they represent.

Representing the Philippine Women’s College of Davao, Eevee bested out 12 of the best college bands from across the country during the Finals night. This year’s finalist bands that performed at the Ninoy Aquino Sports Stadium this year are: Little School House (Ateneo de Cagayan – Xavier University), Eevee (Philippine Women’s College – Davao), Disco…Disco…Disco (St. Michael’s College – Iligan City), Lady Suzette (AMA – Tacloban), Sundae Special (Iloilo Doctors College), 3 Hours and 10 (University of the Visayas – Cebu), Iktuz (Colegio de San Juan De Letran Calamba – Calamba Laguna), Mixed Tape (Lyceum – St. Cabrini College of Allied Medicine – Batangas), In Descent (University of Perpetual Help Laguna – Binan Laguna), Nameless Heroes (Mapua Institute of Technology – Makati), Play (Polytechnic University of the Philippines – Quezon City), Soltera (AMA – International Institute of Technology – Cubao) and Project (Jose Rizal University).

“We are very overwhelmed with this victory. All the bands that were with us on our ‘journey to fame’ were really good and it was anybody’s game up until show time. We would like to thank NESCAFÉ 3in1 Soundskool for this opportunity for us to realize our dreams as music superstars,” exclaimed Eevee’s frontman, Enzo Villegas.

The NESCAFÉ 3in1 Soundskool finalists performed alongside some of the country’s best bands who served as the finalists’ mentors leading up to the Grand Finals Night. The young musicians got to interact, jam and perform alongside chart toppers like NESCAFÉ 3in1 Soundskool Grand Prize Winners Hilera and Letter Day Story, 6CycleMind, Pedicab, Itchy Worms, Imago, Sugarfree, Taken By Cars, Urbandub, Spongecola, Paraluman, Callalily, Sandwich and Moonstar 88. Known dance group Philippine All Stars brought the audience to their feet with their performances. Another rare sight during the NESCAFÉ 3in1 Soundskool Grand Finals Night was when all the vocalists from this year’s mentor bands banded together and shared the stage for one outstanding performance. “It didn’t feel like a competition at all during the Grand Finals Night. Yes, we were nervous but in the end the entire night became a celebration of how much the Filipino youth loves music. We’re really proud to be part of this experience — winning the Grand Prize was just the cherry on top of the delicious cake,” Villegas added.

“NESCAFÉ 3in1 Soundskool’s fifth year has proven to be its most exciting so far. We not only found extraordinary talents this year — the competition has never been this close among the finalists. We’re very proud to see the progress all the finalists have made ever since we saw them during the Eliminations leg in October. Eevee, along with the other 12 finalists this year, have all shown that handa na silang sumikat with the lessons they gained from NESCAFÉ 3in1 Soundskool. If anything, the talent we discovered with this year’s competition only proves that the Filipino youth are indeed ready to make a big splash in the music industry,” said Eileen Rose Bangcoro, NESTLÉ Philippines marketing promotions and events cluster head for NESCAFÉ.

Aside from Bangcoro, the judges during the Grand Finals Night were Sony Music Entertainment Philippines’ Vic Valenciano and Jerrick Mina, Soupstar Entertainment’s Darwin Hernandez, and Soundcreation Studio’s Shinji Tanaka.

This year’s NESCAFÉ 3in1 Soundskool, with the theme “Huwag Na Magtago! Magparamdam Ka Na!” is supported by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Sony Music Entertainment Philippines, Paseo de Bahamas, Rudy Project, Boracay Scuba, Boracay Mandarin Island Hotel, Ix Chel, La Carmela de Boracay Resort Hotel and Parkmall in Mandaue City, Cebu.

For more details, log on to the NESCAFÉ 3n1 Soundskool site. View Eevee’s Facebook fan page as well!

[Media release & photos courtesy of Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide, Manila]