A phenomenon is sweeping the globe. Across the world, accomplished pretty-boy bands such as the Backstreet Boys, NSYNC and 98 Degrees top the record charts simply because thousands of screaming 13-year-old girls want it that way. Well, that is, almost everywhere. Move over Backstreet Boys -- in the Philippines it's all about the Hullabahoos, a University a cappella group.
Last fall Milestone Productions, a recording agency based in the Philippines, invited 17 Hullabahoos, including 11 current students and six alumni, to perform in a charity concert at the Hard Rock Café in Makati July 2. The Hullabahoos arrived in the south Asian country June 20 to begin practicing for promotional appearances on Filipino TV shows to inform audiences of the concert. Before even reaching the nation, though, the Hullabahoos already were celebrities.
"When we first arrived at the airport, there was a whole entourage waiting for us," said Ron Puno, Class of 1999 graduate and Hullabahoo alumnus.
After settling in at their host family's home, the acapella group spent the first four or five days preparing for their upcoming gigs.
"There had been requests for songs from the older days" of the Hullabahoos, said David Sarratt, fourth-year College student and Hullabahoo member. "We had to get everyone up to speed with our repertoire."
Once harmony was achieved between the current Hullabahoos and recent graduates, the group was ready to start spreading the word regarding the July 2 concert. Most of the group's engagements included brief concerts on Filipino television broadcasts equivalent to the Late Show and Sunday morning shows geared towards teenagers. Additionally, the Hullabahoos performed in the half-time show during a basketball game.
Having become established voices in Filipino pop culture, the Hard Rock Café had no problem filling seats for the Hullabahoo's concert. The group performed before an 800-person sell-out crowd, raising over $7,000 for the Lord's Children Foundation, a charity that helps provide food, clothing and shelter for impoverished Filipino youths. The Hullabahoos did not receive any of the proceeds from the event.
"We're not about making money for ourselves, but we're all about spreading the music," Puno said.
The acapella group drew a larger crowd than 98 Degrees managed to attract just a few weeks earlier at the same Hard Rock Café.
However, with a couple changes to their usual program, the Hullabahoos resembled the popular group. Instead of wearing their trademark mismatched robes they can be seen sporting at concerts around Grounds, the Hullabahoos went for a more traditional look after Milestone Productions advised against the unusual apparel. The singers decided to wear plain kahkis and polo shirts. With the elimination of robes came the addition of choreography, one aspect of performing that helps draw added popularity in the Philippines.
"People [of the Philippines] hadn't been exposed to this art form. The crowd attracted a great variety of ages," third-year Commerce student Johanna Mitchell said.
Mitchell, originally from the Philippines, returned home while the Hullabahoos were on tour and had a chance to witness their rise to stardom.
Puno helped spur plans for bringing acapella music to the Philippines. After successes with tours in Texas and London earlier in the year, Puno consulted with his father about the possibilities of traveling to south Asia. Through a family connection with Milestone Productions, the group sent numerous sample CDs to the recording agency to help the Hullabahoos gain their moment in the spotlight.
"Our trip to the Philippines was all about networking and leveraging our connections," Puno said. "We just got lucky."
Thanks to these contacts, the Hullabahoos were able to raise money for a good cause while spending very little. Milestone Productions took up the majority of the round trip plane tab, and the group members enjoyed free housing accommodations with Puno's family in the Philippines.
In addition to performing before a sell-out crowd, the Hullabahoos' success may be gauged in the legacy they've left behind.
Following the concert, recording agents from companies such as Sony and MGM approached the group with proposals for new record deals. Because of their popularity in the Philippines, representatives from Hard Rock Café are also considering sponsoring a Hullabahoos south Asian tour this summer, with ports of call including Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia.
"People [in the Philippines] are not so accustomed to hearing the music we do," Sarratt said. "Filipino people are interested in music of the voice and were very receptive of our style."
So receptive were the Filipinos that the Hullabahoos became an overnight sensation.
"It was kind of eerie by the time we left. Girls in the mall would recognize us and want autographs," Sarratt said. "On TV shows, girls would start screaming like we were the Backstreet Boys."
Throughout the 17 days the Hullabahoos spent in the Philippines, they not only experienced a new culture and new lifestyle, but realized what it's like to live like a celebrity.
"I learned how easy it is to manufacture celebrity," said Will Gross, a third-year College student and Hullabahoo member. "We did a few shows and suddenly we were famous. It made me realize that celebrities are just regular people"
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