Ben&Ben Bring Liwanag Hangout Energy to Cebu

Ben&ben Touch Down In Cebu

As the island city stirred to life on May 23, Filipino folk-pop collective Ben&Ben greeted locals with a bright “Maayong buntag Cebu 💙💛” — Cebuano for “Good morning, Cebu.” The nine-piece band, known for its signature harmonies and heartfelt lyrics, arrived days ahead of their Waterfront Theatre concert, stirring excitement among fans who’ve been following their Liwanag Hangout series.

Building Up To Waterfront

In the lead-up to this performance, Ben&Ben has been dropping hints on Instagram. In one recent post they wrote in Taglish:

“Always looking forward to the next Liwanag Hangout and the next show with you. Last week ito sa QC! Hehe. This weekend naman sa Cebu. See you sa concert namin!”

(Translation: “Always looking forward to the next Liwanag Hangout and the next show with you. Last week was in Quezon City! Hehe. This weekend it’s Cebu. See you at our concert!”)

Another story shared their pre-show jitters:

“kinakabahan pero excited 😺 magkikita na tayo ulit this weekend, Cebu!! handa na kami para sa concert natin sa Waterfront. Kitakitsss!!”

(Translation: “We’re nervous but excited 😺 we’ll see each other again this weekend, Cebu!! We’re ready for our concert at the Waterfront. See you soon!!”)

The Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino has hosted numerous local and international acts, and on May 24, it transforms into a home for Ben&Ben’s uplifting folk-pop anthems.

From Streaming To Stage

Since forming in Metro Manila in 2015, the siblings Paolo and Miguel Benjamin have expanded their lineup into a nine-member ensemble. The band officially adopted the name Ben&Ben in early 2017 and quickly became one of the Philippines’ most streamed acts on platforms like Spotify. Their song “Saranggola,” a fan favorite, recently surpassed one million streams — a milestone the group celebrated with a thank-you post for their listeners.

Fans arriving at Waterfront can expect to hear a mix of chart-toppers such as “Kathang Isip,” “Mitsa (Salamat),” and selections from their 2022 full-length album. The Liwanag Hangout series—intimate, free-spirited sessions held online and in pop-up venues—has only ramped up anticipation for this larger, ticketed performance.

Backstage glimpses shared by the band show close-knot camaraderie: group photos on the tour bus, acoustic run-throughs under palm trees, and candid smiles captured by their photographer Toni Moons and Andrew DePano. The ensemble’s energy on social feeds promises an engaging evening of sing-alongs and storytelling.

As night falls on Cebu, expect Waterfront’s Grand Ballroom to glow with warm lights and resonate with Ben&Ben’s uplifting message of hope, friendship, and resilience. Whether you’ve followed them since their indie days or discovered them through a viral playlist, the band’s Cebu concert marks another chapter in their journey of bringing Filipino folk-pop to sold-out audiences.

Tickets are available via smtickets.com, and early arrival is encouraged — local fans are known to line up hours ahead to secure prime spots close to the stage. Food and drinks at the venue will include local specialties, so don’t miss grabbing a lechon sandwich while you wait.

Ben&Ben’s stop in Cebu is a homecoming of sorts: merging their Manila roots with the island’s rich musical heritage, all under one roof at the Waterfront Theatre. Their “Maayong buntag” greeting was just the first chord in what promises to be an unforgettable night.

With harmonies tuned, instruments strapped, and hearts full of Liwanag, Ben&Ben’s Cebu concert is set to light up the weekend for OPM fans across the Visayas.

Reporter

Pratibha

 

Pratibha holds a master's degree in English from Madras University. A bookworm from a young age, she devours books and digital humanities to nourish her writing projects. Pratibha began her writing career in 2018 and has experience writing formal, informal, and technical content.

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