Former IV of Spades bandmates Unique Salonga and Zild Benitez were spotted together on Monday, Oct. 28, attending an event at a music store.
During the grand opening of the Yamaha Boutique in Uptown, Bonifacio Global City (BGC), the two musicians were seen talking and checking out the instruments inside the store.
The two first worked together as members of the renowned band IV of Spades, along with Blaster Silonga and Badjao de Castro, who had once dominated the local music scene with their hit songs like “Mundo,” “Ilaw Sa Daan,” and “Hey, Barbara.” Unique left the band in 2018, with Zild taking over the lead vocals.
In an exclusive interview, Unique shared that the encounter at the event was sudden and unplanned.
“As in, we just met suddenly. As in, there was no plan for anything,” Unique told Manila Standard Entertainment, sharing a smile on his face.
“It’s great. We’re friends again, you know? We’re happy that we see each other sometimes,” he continued.
Talking about a potential reunion among the members of IV of Spades, the “Ozone” singer emphasized that for now, they were not pressuring themselves for a comeback.
“But for now, that’s just how it is… it feels like there’s no pressure like, ‘Oh, when are you, guys, coming back?’ We’re just happy with our lives,” explained Unique.
“We’re just happy with our lives. It’s enough that we’re on good terms, supporting each other. We’re happy,” he added, agreeing that everything is a process.
He then expressed his gratitude towards their solid fans who continued to support them on their respective solo gigs and projects.
“Thank you so much for the support. See you on gigs and we love you,” he stated.
Last May, Unique, Zild, and Blaster were seen together when BINI dropped a photo with them after its performances during a fundraising event in Quezon City, hinting at a possible collaboration.
After departing ways with IV of Spades, Unique has been making waves in the local scene as a solo artist under Kean Cipriano’s O/C Records. Since then, the 24-year-old singer-songwriter released original compositions and albums.
Reflecting on how his love for music began, Unique gave credit to his parents who had played a big role as his musical influences. His journey began with parental guidance, leading him to pursue music independently.
“I probably became a musician because of my parents. They had a big influence on me. At first, they taught me, and then I grew up studying on my own,” shared Unique.
Reflecting on his artistic evolution, Unique revealed that his debut single, “Midnight Sky,” was among the first songs he played with his guitar.
But when asked about how music has changed his life, Unique talked about how it has helped him to take care of his mental health, serving as a crucial outlet for his emotions and experiences,
“It has helped me with my mental health a lot. Not just as an artist, but also as a person too. It has become an outlet for me,” he said.
