Allen T. Bayed, a Filipino musician who formed ANAK band, said his enduring motivation to stay in the musical career is to promote peace and harmony. “Anak,” which means “child” in Filipino, is also the acronym for “Ang Nais Ay Kapayapaan” (All We Want is Peace).
Bayed’s passion for music is rooted in his family’s love for music. “My father loves to sing and perform and I have uncles from my mother side who were part of the band that performs around town,” recalled Bayed, whose family hails from Isabela, a northern province in the Philippines.
Bayed traced his musical journey to his younger years when he started competing and gaining exposure in Bombo Radyo, one of the Philippines’ largest radio networks. He expanded his skills by learning how to play the piano and guitar. He would perform everywhere he could and with different groups, locally and overseas.
ANAK band performs regularly at Hyatt Regency Guam’s Kentos Lounge. Bayed is joined by six other band members: Maria Clarisse Bayed, Hendree “Yammy” Carabot, Lea Pansalin (vocalists), Dyun Gases, Ramir Olas (guitarists) and Richard Jason Burkhart (keyboard).
ANAK band was formed in 2005. The group made waves in Japan with their wide range of repertoire. The band has a growing base of followers with their unique melodic but with an undercurrent of biting harmonic. Onstage, ANAK has three killer vocalists who give new life to iconic hits that they cover. The band guitarists are equally legendary with the presence of Gases, who used to play with Abrakadabra, one the Philippines’ classic rock bands in the 70s.
ANAK band came to Guam in 2008 and started performing every night at Senorita Lounge in Harmon before they became a regular attraction at the now-defunct Club Embassy in Marine Drive. The band has been a mainstay at Philippine events on Guam such as Philippine Independence Day and island’s celebration like Pride in the Pacific, Rainbow Island, and ISA LGBT festival.
ANAK band recently received a legislative resolution, authored by Sen. Dennis Rodriguez Jr., recognizing their contributions to the community as performing artists. In 2016, ANAK was nominated “Best Dance Band” in the annual Island Music Awards.
They had performed a number of concert at Kentos including the Tribute to Michael Jackson in 2014, Fire and Ice New Year’s Eve Celebration, Get Lei’d on Valentine’s Day, Royal Tribute to Whitney Houston , Michael Jackson and Prince, Back to the Future in 2016, British Invasion, La Divas in 2017, Stop! Look! and Love A Valentines Love Affair last February, Kiss from the Decades last New Year’s Eve and Best Hits of the 80s. The group is known for their signature rendition of 70s and 80s music, drawing crowd to Kentos and getting them off on their feet on the dance floor.
In celebration of this year’s Philippine Independence Day, ANAK Band will hold a concert featuring Original Pilipino Music that will bring nostalgia to Filipinos on Guam and discovery of classic treasures. The band will essay hit songs from 1970s to contemporary Filipino pop songs with elaborate costumes to complete the special performances.
The one-night only musical extravagance will be held at Kentos on June 14 and limited tickets are now available for sale. For more information, call Allen at 632-4959 or drop by Kentos Bar at Hyatt 922-1234 to get your tickets.