Kjwan is a Filipino hard rock band formed in 2003 by former Sandwich guitarist and lead vocalist Marc Abaya and Dicta License bassist Kelley Mangahas.
History Long-time friends and former high school bandmates Marc Abaya (vocals) and Federico Kelley Mangahas (bass) got together with fellow Ateneans Jorel Corpus (guitar) and J-hoon Balbuena (drums) to form the band's initial lineup. In 2004, Roberto Miguel "Boogie" Romero (guitar), another high school friend and former bandmate of Marc and Kelley, joined the lineup. They released their self-titled debut album in 2004 with their carrier hit single “Daliri” which gained constant airplay on radio stations and television.
Kjwan released their second album, 2StepMarv three years later under Barnyard Music.
The band won Favorite Indie Artist in the local music channel MYX’s music awards night. Their video “Pintura” nabbed “Favorite Guest Appearance” with the help of a seasoned actress, Chin-Chin Gutierrez. They were also featured for a month on MTV Pilipinas in December 2006. They enjoyed a month-long feature as Yahoo Southeast Asia's band of the month and another month-long feature as “Celebrity VJs” in MYX for the whole month of April 2006. They also got nominated in 6 categories in the 2007 NU Rock Awards for Artist of the Year, Best Live Act, Album of the Year, Producer of the Year (with Angee Rozul), Vocalist of the Year (Marc Abaya) and Guitarist of the Year (Boogie Romero). 2Step Marv was a massive success for the band as they cemented themselves with releases that included: Pintura, Sa Ilalim, Shai, Invitation and One Look.
At this time, the band also had the chance to show what Philippine rock is made of to various countries abroad. They headlined HK-Live, in Central, HK back in October 2007 in front of a packed Fringe Club with fans from many nationalities. HK-Live is a monthly showcase of the Hottest Acts around Asia in HK's Fringe Club. They were also part of the Annual Baybeats Music Festival in Singapore and the HUSH Music Festival in Macau, China.
One of their biggest breakthroughs was winning the grand prize in the Asian and Philippine leg in IKON ASEAN Competition. Held in Putrajaya, Malaysia and watched by hundreds of thousands all over the region, their performance made an impact to the Asian Music Community. Kjwan beat thirty other bands from both the Philippines and in South East Asia.
Kjwan released their third album entitled 13 Seconds to Love. Inspired by the fact that a great song can be determined in just thirteen seconds, the band brought this along in their song writing with love as the common theme. The album was also the first one that was released first on a purely digital format when it was preloaded in official releases of Nokia 5800 XpressMusic in the Philippines, six months before the actual physical release of the album.
Band members Current members Marc Abaya – lead vocals, rhythm and lead guitar (2003–present) Kelley Mangahas – bass guitar (2003–present) Eo Marcos – drums (2012–present), backing vocals (2023–present) Louis Isok – lead guitar, backing vocals (2022–present)
Former members Boogie Romero – lead guitar, co-lead & backing vocals (2004–2023) Marinito "J-Hoon" Balbuena – drums, backing vocals (2003–2009) Jorel Corpus – guitars, percussion, backing vocals (2003–2010) Enrique "Inky" de Dios – keyboards, keytar, synthesizers, percussion, backing vocals (2011–2023) Pao Santiago – drums (2010–2012)
Session musicians Bryan Makasiar – drums Wendell Garcia – drums Paolo Manuel – drums Kurt Floresca – drums Bea Lao – drums
Discography Studio Albums YearTitleLabel2004KjwanSony Music Philippines 20062StepMarvEMI Philippines/Barnyard Music Philippines200913 Seconds to LoveMCA Music Philippines 2012Kjwan IV Volume OneMCA Music Philippines 2014Kjwan IV Volume TwoMCA Music Philippines
Singles YearSongAlbum2004DaliriKjwan2004BoomerangKjwan2005SurfaceKjwan2005TwilightKjwan2006Pintura2StepMarv2006Sa Ilalim2StepMarv2006One Look2StepMarv2006Invitation2StepMarv2006Shai2StepMarv2009Pause13 Seconds to Love2009Meron Ba13 Seconds to Love2009Lifeline13 Seconds to Love2012Walang KasoKjwan IV Volume One2014My AxisKjwan IV Volume Two2014Fall From The SunKjwan IV Volume Two2014Aking PangakoKjwan IV Volume Two2016HyperConnectedKjwan IV Volume Three (Unreleased album)2024DahasTBA2024Sa HuliTBA2025Mula Sa KatahimikanTBA2026IpagpatawadTBA2026KaibiganTBA
Unreleased songs YearSongAlbum2005Get With Me (Demo)2StepMarv2010Picture Lady (Demo)Dagim (Original Soundtrack)2016Red Bleeds To Blue (Demo)Kjwan IV Volume Three (Unreleased album)
Other Appearances YearSongAlbum2003Drizzle (Helltop Remix) Rx Band Breakout Finalists CD2005A Different KindROK ON! Music Inspired by the Ragnarok Online Game2007DaliriLIVE AND RAW (6UG Live CD)2009PauseKerplunk! DEFIANT200913 Seconds to LoveNokia 5800 Express Music Phone MCA Music2012Kjwan IV volume 1Independent2014Kjwan IV volume 2Independent
Awards and achievements
Miscellaneous and Other Awards: Ani ng Dangal Award from The Office of the President and The National Commission for Culture and the Arts(NCCA)
Year Award giving body Category Nominated work Results2004NU Rock AwardsBest New ArtistBest Video"Daliri"Best Album PackagingKjwanBest Drummer(for J-Hoon Balbuena)2005MTV Pilipinas Video Music AwardsFavorite New ArtistBest Video"Daliri"2007Ikon AseanIKON ASEAN Champion (Group Category)MYX Music AwardsFavorite Indie ArtistFavorite MYX Live PerformanceNU Rock AwardsArtist of the YearBest Live ActAlbum of the Year2StepMarvProducer of the Year(with Angee Rozul)Vocalist of the Year(for Marc Abaya)Guitarist of the Year(for Boogie Romero)2008Awit AwardsInternational Achievement Award(Winner of the group category in the 1st Ikon ASEAN competition)MYX Music AwardsFavorite Indie Artist2009NU Rock AwardsArtist of the YearAlbum of the Year13 Seconds to LoveVocalist of the Year(for Marc Abaya)Guitarist of the Year(for Boogie Romero)Bassist of the Year(for Kelley Mangahas)Drummer of the Year(for Jhoon Balbuena)Song of the Year"Lifeline and 13 Seconds to Love"Best Album Packaging13 Seconds to LoveBest Music Video"Lifeline"Producer of the Year(with Pat Jalbuena)2018Wish Music AwardsWishclusive Urban Performance of the Year"One Look"
References
External links Official website Kjwan on MySpace Music