The Aegis Band IG

MANILA  — “Tuloy pa rin ang trabaho.” This was how Josie Galindo assured fans of the iconic rock band Aegis after the passing of one of its vocalists Mercy Sunot last Monday.

In an exclusive phone interview with ABS-CBN News, Galindo, the band’s business manager, assured on Wednesday that the remaining six members will continue the iconic band’s legacy headed by Juliet and Ken Sunot.

“Hindi kami prepared na ganun kabilis ang mangyayari na mawawala si Mercy,” Galindo told to ABS-CBN News.

“Actually noong March na umalis si Mercy para magpagamot, tuloy lang talaga. Kasi ang grupo ay intact talaga. So nagpe-perform pa rin naman sila, tumutugtog. Ang plano kasi namin talaga, habang nasa US si Mercy, walang magbabago at tumatanggap pa rin kami ng mg gigs at shows. Iyun talaga ang plano kasi expected namin na babalik pa si Mercy. Pero this time na nawala na si Mercy, so ang focus na lang namin ay iyung anim at hindi magbabago dahil naniniwala kami na kaya nung dalawang magkapatid, si Juliet at si Ken,” she explained.

According to the band’s manager,  during the planning stage of the “Halik Sa Ulan” concert for 2025, Mercy was already out of the picture so as to let her focus on recovery.

“Since ang alam namin na ang treatment ng cancer is long term, talagang pati ang pictorial, preparations anim lang sila, para at least aware ang mga fans na mag-pe-perform ang banda ng anim lang. Ang band naman hoping kami na makakasama namin si Mercy pero hindi ganun ka-soon kasi nga nagpapagamot siya and hindi rin kami prepared na mawawala siya pero plano sana namin na special guest namin siya para sa Feb. concert,” Galindo said.

Assuring the fans of Aegis, Galindo also disclosed a few details on what to expect from the upcoming show of the band including the “Halik Sa Ulan” concert in 2025.

“Nag-decide ang aming producer na part ng show gagawa ng tribute para kay Mercy, and part ng proceed, ibibigay rin sa family,” she said.

Aside from the upcoming plans of the band, Galindo also thanked the people who continue their love and care for their bandmate, including the people who took care of her while she was in the hospital in the United States.

Galindo also disclosed to ABS-CBN News that they are planning to transport the remains of Mercy a few weeks from now and to have an open public viewing for their friends and loved ones.

“Nagpapasalamat kami sa mga tao doon sa US na nag-raise ng funds para makatulong na maiuwi ang mga labi ni Mercy sa Pilipinas, dahil medyo may kamahalan ang magagastos kaya salamat dahil ginagawa nila iyun para kay Mercy,” the manager said.

“Ang request na lang ng family, ipauwi si Mercy ng buo hindi ipapa\-cremate doon,” she added.

“Actually, marami ang nagtatanong mga kaibigan, fans, producer and sa napag-usapan namin ni Juliet, pagbigyan namin ng one night or two nights viewing ‘yung mga gusto makiramay sa family at para na rin sa mga nagmamahal na mga fans. Pero sa ngayon, hindi pa talaga namin masasagot dahil sabi ng US side two to three weeks pa bago maiuwi ang body,” she explained.

In addition to sharing the band’s plans, Galindo aked fans and friends for continued prayers for Mercy and for the band, which she hopes will be remembered as a unique performer.

“Ang boses niyang naiiba, very husky na bumibirit.  Mahuhusay silang tatlo si Juliet at Ken dahil kani-kaniya silang quality ng boses. Pero ang kay Mercy wala pang mga singer ngayon ang katulad niya, iyun talaga ang tatak niya at nag-iisa na sana hindi makalimutan ng maraming tao,” Galindo said.

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