PH schools alumni rock it in NY ‘battle of the bands’

Ateneans pose with Consul General Tess Dizon De Vega (Ateneo Law School) standing fourth from left between this writer and event organizer Romainne de Guzman Luis (fifth from left) and Ateneo coordinator Cecile Sison (sixth from left). PORSHA SEECHUNG

NEW YORK CITY — In keeping with this tradition, alumni from five universities joined the “battle of the bands” Nov. 4, coinciding with the annual Homecoming sa Konsulado started by the Philippine Consulate General of New York a few years ago.

Filipino Americans in the Northeast found another way to bring camaraderie and a little competition through the 4th Bandastiks competition to be held here in the Northeast.

Ateneo De Manila University alums won this year’s Bandastiks battle of the bands held at the Philippine Consulate General of New York. They performed at the Consulate’s Homecoming sa Konsulado. PORSHA SEECHUNG

The Ateneans’ band won the competition with their rendition of classic Pinoy rock, OPMs and swing, making the cheering crowd hit the dance floor. Alumni of Ateneo, La Salle, Assumption, St. Paul and Xavier University/Ateneo Cagayan competed this year.

The Ateneans performed the following day during the Homecoming sa Konsulado attended by several university alumni from the New York- New Jersey area.

The first Bandafest battle of the bands was held in fall of 2004 among alumni of Ateneo, La Salle, St. Scholastica and St. Theresa’sCollege. The interschool competition ran until 2007 when participants diminished. Last year, it was revived as Bandastiks, a benefit showdown.