Wish 107.5 ‘shall return’: Leyte Talents, Wishers Look Forward to Wish Bus’ Next Visit

Mar 11, 2019

The iconic Wish 107.5 Bus welcomed local artists and bands from Leyte on Sunday, March 10, as it had its second stop in the Visayan province for its ongoing provincial tour.

Seeing how the vehicle brought a unique musical experience to their place, acts and Wishers alike have already expressed enthusiasm about the Wish Bus’ return — like how General Douglas McArthur fulfilled his “I shall return” vow as he set foot on Leyte to help liberate the country during the World War 2.

“To be able to perform here is really overwhelming,” Tata Dela Cruz, lead vocalist of ethno-tribal rock outfit Kulahig, remarked, adding in jest how the bus has made them feel like they’re celebrities.

Ethno-tribal rock ensemble Kulahig brings their unique sound to the Wish 107.5 Bus.

Kulahig (which is a play on the words “Kultura,” “Arte,” and “Himig”) was one of the guests who hopped aboard the Wish Bus during its Leyte stop.

Historic Musical Showcase

Leyte has indeed stood witness to different historical events. And history was once again made as it saw the coming of the country’s popular FM on-wheels for the first time on Sunday.

For the said show, the Wish 107.5 Bus has traversed the land and the sea (via a roll-on, roll-off ship) — which is also a first for the roving musical hub.

For the first performance, Leteños at Gaisano Central in Tacloban City rolled out a red carpet for the bus as Wishcovery Season 2 Semi-Finalist Joffet Ocena returned and sang his rendition of “Why Can’t It Be.”

Over at Robinsons North, Maria Roshiela Lagunzad also made a mark as she performed a cover of Ariana Grande’s “Tattooed Heart.”

For its third pit stop, the Wish Bus traversed its way to the McArthur Park in Palo, Leyte to welcome Pauline Antonette Natan and hear her version of The Chainsmokers’ “Don’t Let Me Down.”

At around 6 o’clock in the evening, Leteño Wishers flocked to the Balyuan Amphitheater to watch and listen to original compositions from various local acts — Isotones, Silverlining, NRS, and Kulahig.

OPM band Isotones performs aboard the Wish Bus during the musical vehicle’s visit in Tacloban, Leyte.

The Isotones performed a cover of Randy Santiago’s “Babaero” and two of their original songs — “Pwede Ba” and “Kahit Na.”

The skies may have been dark during the night but the alt-rock band Silverlining served as a ray of light to the Letenos as they sang their original song “Trauma,” which talks about the aftermath of the Typhoon Yolanda that hit the city in 2013.

Meanwhile, freedom of speech was what the NRS band stood up for as they sang their originals, “Salita” and “Mali’y Gawin Mong Tama.”

The jamming session was capped off by a bold performance from the ethnic band Kulahig. Giving a different flavor through the grooving sound of the djembe, they performed their originals “Waray Ayuey,” “Kalibutan,” and “Simulan.”

After receiving warm support from Leteño Wishers, The Wish Bus is now headed toward its next destination.

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