The pulse of Filipino pop rock beats stronger once more. InnerVoices, the award-winning OPM band that first captured hearts in the 1990s with their distinct blend of new wave influences and emotionally charged lyrics, is charging forward with renewed energy. With the addition of a dynamic new lead vocalist and the release of fresh original material, the group isn’t reinventing their identity—they’re amplifying it.
This year, InnerVoices returns to the scene not as a band starting over, but as one that has found a new spark. The fresh lineup brings with it a creative surge, evident in the release of four original songs that showcase the group’s growth without abandoning the sound their listeners have loved for decades. “THAL (Tubig, Hangin, Apoy, Lupa)” and “Idlip,” written by Edward Mitra, “Meant to Be” by Atty. Rey Bergado, and “Galaw” by Glenn Mapue, offer a glimpse into this reenergized phase—one that’s both familiar and excitingly new.
Formed in 1992, InnerVoices carved out their space in the local music scene with a unique mix of pop rock and new wave. Their current lineup includes Rene Tecson (guitar), Alvin Herbon (bass), Joseph Cruz (keyboard), Joseph Esparrago (percussion), and the band’s founder, Atty. Rey Bergado.
When longtime vocalist Angelo Miguel stepped down, the group didn’t look far to find someone who could carry their torch—and add a powerful new dimension.
Enter Patrick Marcelino.
A veteran performer with experience on Singapore Idol and Pinoy Pop Superstar, Patrick wasn’t exactly planning a comeback. After caring for his late wife and returning to the Philippines to focus on raising their two children, he wasn’t actively seeking a band. But sometimes, the music finds you.
“I wasn’t really planning to join a band again,” Patrick recalls. “But when I started singing with InnerVoices as a replacement for Angelo during gigs, it just clicked. And when Angelo officially left, Atty. Rey told me they hadn’t looked for anyone else. It felt right, and I grabbed the opportunity.”
What followed wasn’t a restart, but a rekindling. Patrick’s voice added new color to the band’s palette—passionate, textured, and full of character.
“I’m honored to be embraced by these amazing musicians,” he says. “They didn’t just accept me—they made me feel like I’ve always belonged. InnerVoices gave me a second chance at music, and I’ll give my heart to every song we sing.”
His presence goes beyond musical ability. He brings soul. “All my tattoos are religious,” he shares. “Each one represents a challenge I’ve overcome. They’re not just ink—they’re reminders that I’m still here.”
Band leader Atty. Rey Bergado had no second thoughts.
“Patrick is the closest I’ve ever heard to a Filipino version of Bruno Mars. His voice is rare, powerful, and emotional. I told the band, ‘This is the last time we’re changing vocalists,’ and Patrick, laughing, replied, ‘Thank you, Daddy.’”
The camaraderie has only deepened. Rene Tecson calls Patrick “the new heartbeat” of the band, noting how he makulit din siya kunwari lang hindi. Bassist Alvin Herbon says Patrick “just fits,” adding, “InnerVoices is my home. As long as we love what we do, we’ll keep playing.” For keyboardist Joseph Cruz, “he fits in so naturally.” Percussionist Joseph Esparrago puts it simply: “From the first rehearsal, we knew—he’s the guy. This band is more than music—it’s a brotherhood.”
And that brotherhood is what’s kept InnerVoices going through the years. Life outside music brought challenges, but the bond remained.
“I love this band,” Atty. Rey says. “Even when I try to take breaks, music keeps pulling me back.”
He remembers two pivotal phone calls—one in 2012 from Rene, and another in 2022 after the pandemic.
“We did one gig at 19 East, and that turned into a full-on comeback.”
The departure of Angelo was another crossroads. Rey asked the group: Do we continue? The answer came fast and firm—yes.
“They all said yes. I told them, ‘As long as the five of us are whole, I’ll give everything I have.’ Kasi kung may isa pang mawawala, mahihirapan na talaga ako. I believe in them—loyal, hardworking, and passionate. Kailangan ko lang talaga maghanap ng bagong lead vocalist.”
And now that he has, the results are undeniable. With the addition of Patrick, InnerVoices has found not just a new singer, but a revitalizing force.
Their efforts haven’t gone unnoticed. The band earned the 2015 Awit Award for Best Performance by a New Group Recording Artist for “Paano.” In 2024, they won Revival Recording of the Year at the 14th PMPC Star Awards for Music, and snagged Inspirational Song of the Year at the 16th PMPC Star Awards for “Isasayaw Kita.”
On April 30, the group launches their new EP at 19 East Bar in Parañaque City. They’ll perform “Idlip,” “Galaw,” “THAL,” and “Meant to Be”—songs that mark both a milestone and a new momentum.
They’re also keeping busy with regular gigs at Aromata Bar, Hard Rock Café Makati, Bar IX in Alabang Molito, and Bar 360 in Newport World Resorts, Pasay City. On May 18, they’ll headline the Manggahan Festival in Guimaras.
Plans for a major concert and more original releases are already underway. From their name—InnerVoices, taken from a long-lost original called Voice from Within—to their ever-persistent presence in the OPM scene, this band isn’t coming back. They never really left. They’ve simply found new strength in a voice that echoes their own.
InnerVoices Isn’t Just Back — They’re Exactly Where They’re Meant to Be: Louder and Livelier Than Ever!
