No Sisig, No Rakenrol, a new creative collective for original Filipino American rock music, debuted its 2025 show this January 3 at the Redwood Bar and Grill in Downtown L.A. The lineup featured four acts: the Mellow Dees, Mrfy’s Law, ZOS!MO, and DemiVoix. 

The Mellow Dees delivered guitar-driven pop rock in English and Tagalog, along with twinkling songs from their newest album, Walls Might Melt. Mrfy’s Law followed up with a funky neo-soul cover of the hip-hop Pinay anthem “Us” by Ruby Ibarra, Klassy, Rocky Rivera, and Faith Santilla; a Taglish remix of Monster Mash; and what lead singer affectionately called “sad girl sh*t,” several original rock songs on nascent beginnings and endings in fraught relationships. 

ZOS!MO took to the stage with high energy Tagalog tunes and roaring songs, including “Patawad,” originally composed for San-San Onglatco’s film Zenaida, as well as several numbers from their rock operas, 2Bayani and Liwang, as well as. Written by lead vocalist and guitarist Zosimo Quibilian Jr. and Khavn, 2Bayani details the rise and fall of national Philippine hero Andres Bonifacio in his struggle against dual colonizers, Spain and the United States, with Liwanag serving as the English and American adaptation of the original Tagalog lyrics. DemiVoix rounded out the night with pulsing prog rock ballads and speedy tempos in drawn out, experimental numbers that highlighted leader singer Keith’s piercing vocals and keytar skills. 

No Sisig, No Rakenrol is a collective encouraging the performances of Filipino American rock bands. Formed by Zosimo Quibilan Jr. (ZOS!MO), Melody del Mundo and Wolf Gemora (the Mellow Dees), Michael Abad (Monarc), and Allan Santa Cruz (Count2Ten), the collective welcomes a wide range of musical genres and aims to curate an artistic home for Filipino American musicians in venues across the region. 

The collective’s name is a cheeky ultimatum – if there’s no sisig (a triple-cooked sizzling pork dish commonly eaten during boozy drinking sessions), there’s no rock ‘n’ roll. Granted, there was no sisig at the Redwood Bar – fish tacos and calamari are a staple of this pirate-themed establishment – but the moniker still evokes dim bars, giddy laughter, and tagay (passing the shot glass around friends) in the heart of urban Manila. It’s a mood that represents a camaraderie worth savoring amidst an atmosphere of crunching rhythms and crackling melodies. 

For upcoming shows or to get involved, more information can be found on the collective’s Instagram (@nosisignorakenrol) and Facebook.