MANILA, Philippines – After 22 years, indie pop-rock band Ang Bandang Shirley has disbanded.
The band’s remaining members, Debb Acebu, Miggy Abesamis, Kathy Gener, and Paolo Arciga, issued a joint statement on February 19 to share their decision to part ways.
The events leading to their disbandment had been loaded with a series of grave issues involving their then-guitarist-vocalist Ean Aguila.
“This January, past allegations towards Ean resurfaced with new information, which has significantly affected the band and the members. Let it be known that we strongly do not condone his behavior, and we urged him to take full responsibility for his actions,” the four members wrote.
Here’s a timeline charting key moments in Ang Bandang Shirley’s time as a band, from its formation, rise to fame in the indie music scene, controversies involving specific members, and its eventual disbandment:
2003: Ang Bandang Shirley is formed
In 2003, Owel Alvero and Ean Aguila form the band, which started out as a college project in UP Diliman.
Following the Eraserheads’ initial breakup in 2002, Alvero and Aguila decide to call themselves “Ang Bandang Shirley,” inspired by the legendary OPM band’s 1993 song “Shirley.”
2006: More members join the band
In a 2016 episode of Rappler Live Jam, the band’s then-vocalist Selena Salang shares that she, Zig Rabara, Joe Fontanilla, “and some other people” joined the band in 2006 to form the lineup they would operate on for years.
2008: Ang Bandang Shirley releases its first album
Not long after, the pop-rock band eventually releases its 11-track debut album, Themesongs, under Wide Eyed Records Manila in October 2008.
2013: Release of Tama Na Ang Drama
In January 2013, Ang Bandang Shirley drops its second album, Tama Na Ang Drama.
This record goes on to be one of its most popular drops to date, with art often being made out of the album cover and its songs. To this day, most of its hit tracks come from this album: “Nakauwi Na,” “Tama Na Ang Drama,” and “Di Na Babalik,” among others.
2015: Bassist Enzo Zulueta joins the band
After bassist Jing Gaddi’s departure, Enzo Zulueta joins the band in 2015 to complete its lineup, which also consisted of Owel Alvero, Selena Salang, Ean Aguila, Zig Rabara, Joe Fontanilla, and Kathy Gener.
2016: ‘Umaapaw’ and ‘Siberia’
Ang Bandang Shirley releases “Umaapaw” and “Siberia” 2016, songs that would later on become among its most well-known.
March 2017: Selena Salang’s departure from band, release of third album Favorite
On March 25, 2017, the pop-rock band drops its third album, Favorite.
During the album launch, Salang announces her departure from the band to go on an indefinite break, making this her last gig with Ang Bandang Shirley for the time being.
November 2017: Sexual misconduct allegations against certain members surface, band responds
On November 21, 2017, an X (formerly Twitter) user comes forward with allegations of sexual misconduct and predatory behavior against several rising indie bands, such as SUD, Jensen and the Flips, MilesExperience, and Ang Bandang Shirley.
The user cites only a few details about the allegations against Ang Bandang Shirley due to “confidentiality.”
On November 22, 2017, the user posts more screenshots of direct messages with members Ean Aguila and Owel Alvero to clarify Ang Bandang Shirley’s involvement in the issue. Guitarist-vocalist Joe Fontanilla is also mentioned.
The band posts a preliminary statement, saying that they are having conversations on the issue to determine how to address it.
“We recognize this is a serious issue and apologize for allowing a toxic culture [to] continue through complicity or inaction. Although this is a difficult time for everyone involved, we believe that this is a necessary step in correcting the normalized wrongs and maybe start getting things right,” the band says.
On November 23, 2017, the band releases a longer statement “categorically” denying the sexual abuse and predatory behavior accusations made against the three members. The three concerned members express that they wish to clear the names of their other bandmates who are not involved in the situation but were dragged into it.
“Serious allegations have been made, and there needs to be clear owning up to the aforementioned accountabilities, while taken into consideration the privacy of offended parties whom we have been able to reach out to,” they state.
It also includes separate statements from Alvero, Aguila, and Fontanilla.
Alvero says that he regrets the emotional pain he caused to people he loves, and apologizes for the “damage” he has done. He adds that he wants to move forward from the situation and become a better person.
Aguila, meanwhile, explains that his attempt to erase the stigma surrounding conversations on sex by encouraging others to talk about it resulted in him making “borderline crass and inappropriate statements.” He also vows to change his ways.
Fontanilla apologizes for his actions, saying that it “breaks [his] heart” to learn that individuals who had trusted him were “exposed to situations where they felt unsafe and taken advantage of.”
“Ang Bandang Shirley supports all victims of abuse that have come forward, and we promise to extend the same support to those who have yet to come forward,” the band continues, adding that they are weighing the courses of action they can take with their legal counsel in this “period of self-reflection.”
Early 2018: Band continues playing at gigs
In early 2018, just months after the allegations are made and the band issues a statement, they continue landing gigs at different school events, with the first one being in January 2018.
May 2018: Release of Alam Mo Ba? (Ang Gulo) EP, Debb Acebu joins band
On May 18, 2018, the band drops a four-track EP titled Alam Mo Ba? (Ang Gulo), which features several new versions of their songs that were already released in the past.
Debb Acebu later officially joins Ang Bandang Shirley after having previously served as a sessionist for the band.
2023: Tama Na Ang Drama (2023 Deluxe Edition) comes out
On September 22, 2023, Ang Bandang Shirley releases the deluxe edition of their album, Tama Na Ang Drama, whose original version came out in 2013.
In October 2023, they also hold a launch party for the album’s double vinyl release.
2024: Ang Bandang Shirley continues playing at gigs
All throughout 2024, the band continues to play at gigs around the Philippines.
In August 2024, particularly, former member Selena Salang returns to Manila after seven years. The band stages their “Home Again” gig, where they perform with the “OG member.”
January 2025: Allegations of predatory behavior, sexual misconduct against Ean Aguila resurface
On January 15, another X user shares screenshots of Instagram stories from an individual who spoke up about Aguila’s alleged inappropriate actions towards her. She said that she had started out as a fan of Ang Bandang Shirley, and later got into a romantic relationship with Aguila when she was 17 and he was 30.
Weeks after the allegations resurfaced, Aguila posts a statement on his personal Facebook account. He clarifies that his bandmates were not involved in the issue, and were often quick to hold him accountable for his actions.
Aguila acknowledges the gravity behind pursuing a relationship with someone “significantly younger” than him.
“I want to emphasize that there is no excuse for how I behaved, and I hold myself accountable for that until this very day. I should have known better. I should have done better. I was in a position of influence, and I failed to recognize the responsibility that came with it — to respect boundaries and to be mindful of how my actions impacted others,” he writes.
February 2025: Ang Bandang Shirley announces disbandment
On February 19, Ang Bandang Shirley’s remaining members announce that they are disbanding, following the allegations made against Aguila resurfacing, which they say has “significantly affected the band and their members.”
“Let it be known that we strongly do not condone his behavior, and we urged him to take full responsibility for his actions,” they write.
They also share that after Aguila issued his statement, he decided to quit the band, a decision which they support.
“As for the rest of the band members, we have decided not to continue as a band. This is the end for Ang Bandang Shirley. We thank you for all your support and for listening to our music throughout the years,” members Acebu, Arciga, Abesamis, and Gener say. – Rappler.com