The Maka Girls (from left): Raechelle Mae Faelnar, Kristina Cassandra (KC) Dilao and Gen Flores (CDN PHOTO/Gerard Pareja)
“Gugmang maka-adik Gugmang maka-stress Gugmang maka-boang Gugmang maka-maoy …”
THESE catchy lines from the song “Gugmang Maka” started it all for the Cebu-based all-female trio called Maka Girls. Composed of Gen Flores, Kristina Cassandra (KC) Dilao, and Raechelle Mae Faelnar, the Maka Girls are starting to make waves in the local music industry.
“The reason why we are called Maka Girls kay tungod sa audience and sa song nga ‘Gugmang Maka.’
They call us: Hey Maka Girls, Maka Girls! Like they already know kinsa ang nikanta once maka dungog sila sa song,” Faelnar told Cebu Daily News during CDN Fresh Talks last Saturday.
Dilao added that they named their group Maka Girls since they want their group to be remembered because of their song. “Gugmang Maka” was composed by Russel “Ching” Alegado, the man behind the “I Love Cebu” song.
Flores, Dilao, and Faelnar were chosen by Alegado to interpret “Gugmang Maka” during the 37th Cebu Popular Music Festival held January 16, 2017 at the Cebu Coliseum. The trio emerged as winner and from then on became well-known because of their song, “Gugmang Maka.”
The Maka Girls (from left): Raechelle Mae Faelnar, Kristina Cassandra (KC) Dilao and Gen Flores (CDN PHOTO/Gerard Pareja)
SINULOG IDOLS
Before the trio was formed, the three ladies already proved themselves as individual performers during the Sinulog Idol competition.
Flores, 20, joined the season seven of Sinulog Idol in 2016. She made it to the sixth night of the competition, a day before the grand finals.
While waiting for the results of the Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET), Flores is focusing on being a vocalist for the Limited Edition Band.
Dilao, 22, joined Season 6 of Sinulog Idol in 2015 and was hailed as the grand champion. She is currently employed at the Cebu City Hall.
Faelnar, 22, joined the Season 2 in 2011 and was hailed as the grand champion. Aside from Maka Girls, she keeps herself busy as as co-manager of a branch of Yoga Thai Massage and Spa, which is owned by her fiance.
Since auditions for next year’s Sinulog Idol competition already started last weekend, the ladies gave pieces of advice to those who want to be part of the contest. Attitude, they said, is very important.
“Useless ang imong talent kung walay disiplina, ug ang imong attitude. You should smile sa imong ma-meet. Murag mutuo ko nga first impression lasts,” Dilao said.
“Before mi i-salang sa competition we have workshops. Akong mahinumduman is honesty and integrity,” Flores said.
“Attitude jud. Once bati, late ka sa call time and dugay, bisag unsa pa ka maayo kay wala juy mo invite nimo. Fact jud na siya,” Faelnar added.
TRIO’S CHALLENGE
The ladies admitted having to work together was a challenge since they are used to being soloists.
“It’s challenging because we have different vocal ranges and we need to adjust and communicate with each other. Ang among timbre sa tingog, lain lain. The way mi mo dala sa among self, lain-lain. Mao na ang dako nga challenge namong tulo,” Flores said.
But the three share something in common and that is their love for Beyonce, Lea Salonga, and Sarah Geronimo, citing these performers’ unique style and vocals. This has helped them adjust to one another while performing. Are they ready to join a national competition?
“Hopefully. We are still trying to be mentally ready. Sa voice quality and performance we are always ready,” Faelner said.