User:Bam Roa/sandbox

AOC Worship Philippines (Ambassadors of Christ Philippines)

Early Formation and Quarantine Jam
The AOC Worship Philippines, also known as the Ambassadors of Christ, is a worship collective from the Philippines that originated in Cagayan de Oro City. In January 2020, the band was formed by the couple Cherrylene Roa and Bam Roa. Before adopting the name AOC Worship Philippines, the band was unnamed. This period coincided with the outbreak of Covid-19, during which people were confined to their homes and placed under quarantine. The couple reached out to musician friends to collaborate on online music jamming sessions. The goal was to share these collaborations on social media platforms, aiming to uplift and support those who were feeling depressed or devastated due to the pandemic's effects.

First Composition and the finalization of the group's lineup
The first song composition, "You Are My God (My Friend Forever)," featured lyrics by Cherrylene and music by Bam Roa. It was penned on New Year's Eve, while the couple sat in their garden balcony at home. This piece serves as their initial creation—a foundational work that marks the beginning of their musical journey together. Initially, during the quarantine pandemic, the couple focused on covering Christian songs in their jam sessions. However, as time passed and inspiration flourished, they dedicated themselves to completing their original compositions. By May to June, they had finalized the songs and recorded a demo.

In May 2020, Bam Roa encountered Mark Quitoriano during one of the pandemic jam sessions, where Mark showcased his bass skills and left a lasting impression. Shortly thereafter, Mark was invited to join the group and became an integral part of it.

Later, in September, Bam Roa crossed paths with Tyke Elizaga, a guitarist from Peachfuzz and a renowned blues guitarist with a strong Christian background. Their meeting occurred at their children's school, where Tyke shared his passion for Christianity and his interest in collaborating on musical projects. Impressed by Tyke's talent and shared values, Bam invited him to join the group.

Tyke took the lead in naming the band AOC Worship Philippines. Although there was already an unrelated YouTube channel called Ambassadors of Christ, it served as a significant source of inspiration for the band. Inspired by the essence of "Ambassadors of Christ," the band's name reflects their core mission: to share the truth and love of Christ. Their collective aim is to use their talents to inspire others, drawing them closer to Jesus and fulfilling their divine calling within His kingdom.

Unified by their faith, the band operates with a singular purpose: to convey God's message through their music, reaching out to those in need of spiritual guidance and comfort.

Around the same time, Seth Roa, a distant relative of Bam Roa, entered the picture. Bam had previously observed Seth's drumming skills during a Christian Battle of the Bands event called Dayeg 2017, where Seth earned the distinction of Best Drummer. Recognizing Seth's talent and potential contribution to the group, Bam extended an invitation to Seth to join them.

With the addition of Mark, Tyke, and Seth, the group was now complete, marking the formation of a cohesive musical ensemble.

As the song neared completion, Bam Roa took on the responsibility of producing all the musical instruments, the song was rerecorded with assistance from Tyke who recorded his own version of "You Are My God." Additionally, Mark contributed his bass lines, while Seth recorded the drum parts for the song. With each member's contribution, the recording process came to fruition, resulting in the completion of the song.

5th Dayeg Online Christian Battle of the Bands 2020
After completing their debut composition, an unexpected opportunity arose. In September 2020, amid the persisting challenges posed by the escalating Covid-19 pandemic, 5th Dayeg Online Christian Battle of the Bands 2020 a virtual Battle of the Bands exclusively for Christian groups was arranged. Participating bands were tasked with producing music videos, participating in social media campaigns, and facing evaluation by a panel of esteemed judges. AOC was delighted to be chosen as one of the finalists for this distinctive online event.

However, the band faced a somber moment when Mark's house caught fire in December. Despite the tragedy, we rallied around Mark to provide comfort and support during this difficult time of loss.

In February 2021, after a period of eager anticipation, AOC was announced as the Champion of the competition, marking a notable achievement in their musical venture.

Second song: I trust in you Lord and Band Hiatus
The band went on hiatus at the end of 2021, prompted by Tyke Elizaga's battle with anxiety and depression. Despite his personal struggles, Tyke managed to compose the song titled "I Trust in You, Lord" before his departure from the group. Prior to their hiatus, the band had one final performance when they were invited as guests for an online church service hosted by GCBC Head Pastor, Pastor Jaye Blanco, from Malaybalay, Bukidnon. Following Tyke's admission to the hospital, the group continued to stay connected, albeit without gigs, and provided support and care for Tyke during his recovery.

The band's revival and inclusion of a new member
While the band was on hiatus, Celene and Bam continued to write songs independently, without any group rehearsals or practices. Later that year, The band experienced a revival and welcomed a new member into its ranks. On October 22, 2022, the band made its comeback and received an invitation to participate in a praise and worship festival held in Bolonsiri, Camaman-an, CDO. As Tyke continued his healing process, we made the decision to enlist Kerbi Lupoy (Cherrylene's younger sibling) from JCIL Church as a session guitarist, later solidifying his position as a permanent member of the group.

The Jesus Reigns 2022
AOC participated in Jesus Reigns in November 30, 2022, marking Tyke's return and the inclusion of Hezel (Mark's wife) in the event. The group is now whole, affectionately referring to themselves as a family due to the familial ties shared among most of the members. The praise and worship event garnered immense participation from people across Northern Mindanao, making it the most attended event that AOC has ever played at.

Christmas presentation (December 2022)
The band embarked on a creative project to produce a Christmas music video titled "Holy Night," Capturing the essence of the holiday spirit, the filming unfolded in the picturesque setting of Gaston Park, a location brimming with festive charm and enchanting scenery. Mark assumed the role of director, bringing his artistic vision to life with meticulous attention to detail. Additionally, Mark showcased his musical talent by actively participating as the bass player, infusing the video with the band's distinctive sound and rhythm.

However, amidst the excitement of the production, the shoot also marked a touching moment for the band. It served as Seth Roa's final participation with the group, as he made the difficult decision to prioritize his family commitments. Despite Seth's departure, his contributions throughout left an indelible mark on the band, serving as a testament to their shared journey and cherished memories created together.

Third Song: You're the God who loves me so
The third single released by the band embodies a profound expression of faith and gratitude towards God for His boundless love and compassion. It serves as a heartfelt acknowledgment of God's unconditional love and care for each individual, evoking a sense of reassurance and comfort in His divine presence.

Inspired by the compelling narratives of "The Chosen" and "The Passion of the Christ," the concept for the accompanying video was carefully crafted. Drawing from the rich storytelling and visually striking imagery of these renowned productions, the video aimed to convey a deeply emotive and spiritually resonant message. By integrating elements from these iconic works, the video succeeded in capturing the hearts of viewers with its captivating storyline and cinematic appeal.

The overwhelming response to the video on social media platforms, marked by a surge in likes and views, solidified its status as the most cherished and widely shared among all the songs created by the band.

Second Christmas presentation (December 2023)
The band embarked on another creative venture by producing a Christmas music video titled "Joy to the World," Originally planned to be filmed at Rio Boulevard, unforeseen circumstances led to a change in location, prompting the decision to shoot at the studio.

During this production, the band welcomed two new members: Tom Compo for drums, who hailed from a church family and had a background in music, and JV Ranopa for keyboards, a churchmate at Jesus and my City Church JAMC and a close friend of Cherrylene and Bam. Their addition enriched the band's dynamic, bringing fresh energy and talent to the group.

Amazing Love Concert 2024
The Amazing Love Concert of 2024 was a grand event boasting an impressive lineup of 18 bands, all gathered at the vibrant venue of Kiosk in Divisoria. Among these talented acts, AOC had the privilege of kicking off the concert as the opening performance, setting the stage for an evening filled with music and celebration.

As for the current composition of the band, it's important to note that while Mark and Hezel have been integral members, they have made the decision to step back temporarily. This decision stems from their commitments to their respective work and business endeavors, reflecting the balancing act many artists face between their passion for music and their professional responsibilities. Despite their absence, the band continues to forge ahead with its remaining members, ready to deliver their signature sound and inspire audiences with their heartfelt performances.

Current

 * Cherrylene Roa - worship leader, lead vocal
 * Bam Roa - keyboard, guitars, bass, backup vocal
 * Tyke Elizaga - lead guitar, lead vocal, backup vocal
 * Tom Compo - drums, backup vocal
 * JV Rańopa - keyboard, lead vocal, backup vocal
 * Kerbi Lupoy - rhythm & lead, acoustic guitar

Former

 * Seth Roa - drums
 * Mark Quitoriano - bass
 * Hezel Quitoriano - lead vocal, backup vocal