MANILA, Philippines – Indie band Ang Bandang Shirley announced their disbandment on Wednesday, February 19.
In January, grooming and sexual misconduct allegations against the band’s lead vocalist Ean Aguila resurfaced on X. Aguila allegedly had a romantic relationship with a 17-year-old fan when he was 30.
“This January, past allegations towards Ean resurfaced with new information, which has significantly affected the band and the members. Let it be known that we strongly do not condone his behavior, and we urged him to take full responsibility for his actions,” band members Debb Acebu, Miggy Abesamis, Kathy Gener, and Paolo Arciga said in their statement.
“As for the rest of the band members, we have decided not to continue as a band. This is the end for Ang Bandang Shirley. We thank you for all your support and for listening to our music throughout the years,” the band’s four remaining members added.
At the start of February, Aguila addressed the situation in a now-inaccessible statement posted on his personal Facebook account, saying that he takes full responsibility for his actions and the pain he had caused the fan he got into a relationship with when she was a minor.
He also clarified that his band members were not complicit in his actions, adding that they had always been quick to hold him accountable for his missteps. He then decided to leave Ang Bandang Shirley.
These allegations are not new, as they had first surfaced in 2017 when several indie bands were called out by an X user for sexual misconduct. Ang Bandang Shirley was one of the bands mentioned by the X user, who specifically accused Aguila and the band’s other members Owel Alvero and Joe Fontanilla of predatory behavior. Then, however, more specific details about the band’s alleged actions were withheld due to “confidentiality.”
In November 2017, Ang Bandang Shirley released a collective statement addressing the allegations, along with separate statements from each of the members who were named. The band categorically denied all accusations of the members’ predatory behavior and sexual abuse.
Aguila said that his attempt to be open about sex resulted in him being “borderline crass and inappropriate.”
Formed in 2003, Ang Bandang Shirley is best known for the songs “Nakauwi Na” and “Umaapaw.” – Rappler.com