Ben&Ben to bring Saranggola: The Concert to Cebu

Fresh from their sold-out show at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last Friday, multi-awarded folk-pop band Ben&Ben is set to bring Saranggola: The Concert to SM Seaside Cebu Arena on April 10, 2027 – exactly a month before they celebrate their 10th anniversary.

This will be Ben&Ben’s first time to perform at the massive arena, which opened only last June. With a gross floor area of seven hectares, SM Seaside Cebu Arena can accommodate up to 25,000 guests.

“We are truly excited to go back to Cebu for yet another major show. Saranggola: The Concert is very special to us, so we would like to share its magic with as many Liwanag as we possibly can,”

Saranggola: The Concert is Ben&Ben’s love letter to Liwanag and to each other, crafted after months of reminiscing their nine-year journey, from doing gigs in small bars to playing big arenas and stages all over the world. 

During last Friday’s concert at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, the band wowed the crowd with a solid three-hour show, featuring more than 30 songs, including a fan request segment. Digressing from their usual practice of performing Ride Home to close the show, the band opened with Ride Home (Reimagined), entering through the center aisle of the packed arena to the stage.

The setlist, which the band did not disclose prior to the show, revisited songs from the various periods and albums in their career, performed in reverse order of release: from The Traveller Across Dimensions (2024), to Pebble House: Vol. 1, Kuwaderno (2021), to Limasawa Street (2019).  

The concert also served as a sendoff for drummer Jam Villanueva, who will be leaving the band at the end of 2026. She announced her departure last year, as her De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis, also known as Drummer’s Wrist, on her left hand has affected her ability to play the drums.

Addressing the audience in an emotional speech, she said: “We love you. We love every single one of you. Thank you so much for giving your time. Thank you for the effort of coming over here and spending this night with us. This night is a celebration of not just our music, but our friendship for over nine years.” 

Turning to her bandmates:

“I just want to thank my bandmates for being there for me, and for being there with me. Thank you for letting me be who I am.”

The show closed with Saranggola, with Jam moving from her spot at percussions to take the drum set for an extended run of the song – for the last time in a major concert. Jam will continue to join the band in their commitments for the rest of the year.

Saranggola: The Concert in Cebu is made possible by Karpos Multimedia and Sony Music Philippines. Tickets will be out soon.