The return of Oro’s gospel band: Thoughts And Notions

By Jaime Joshua A. Frias II
Contributor

CALL it a divine calling.

The Cagayan de Oro’s Thoughts And Notions band are back with a mission, reuniting after a 12-year hiatus to rekindle their contemporary Christian music and share it with their fans and listeners.

The band called its comeback as both a spiritual conviction and mission that will pave the way for its original composition to become a tool for evangelization and kerygma (to preach or proclaim) alike.

Thoughts and Notions formally announced its revival on October 29, 2021, by making its albums available to listen to for free at Spotify, an online digital music streaming platform.

The band had its debut in 2006 with its first album “In Awe Of His Amazing Love,” followed by the defining second album “Thoughts and Notions” plucking the title from the band’s own name.

Its hit single “Runaway Angel” was the breakthrough for them to be nominated in the prestigious NU 107’s U-Rock as College Band of the Year in 2009 before the band took a long period of break.

“My Love Song,” “Earthbound Angel,” “Brand New Day,” and “Savior” were among the songs from its two albums that have also quite made an impact.

After a long-drawn silence, the band’s manager Jasper Tan could not imagine how he had put back the band together by just simply browsing old messages in his email.

It was like Tan opening a message from a bottle and reminiscing those uplifting messages from listeners who were touched by the band’s music.

Shortly later, he reached out to the band members and convinced them to give it another try.

“I just could not believe how the Almighty God led us to this reunion. It’s now clearer to me that we’re out for a mission,” said Tan, who himself was an active youth spiritual volunteer before seriously settling down in Manila in 2009.

The band had some help from Mark Escueta of the country’s popular 90’s band Rivermaya in making their songs available through online streaming. The band is composed of Wilbert Tan- Sound Engineer/Co-Founder, Thrina Dimaano-Escano-Vocals, John Fernandez-Vocals/Guitars, Adonis Berongoy- Drums, Doris Bangot-Bass Guitar, and John Erickson Gloria-Guitars.

Their third album is now in the process as they’re now also open from some channels to promote their songs.

“Expect a more highly spirited Thoughts and Notions band with today’s genre to capture the youth’s attention including those who lost their Christian faith,” Tan said.

Thoughts and Notions is a band primarily inspired by the popular Australian Christian rock band Newsboys, which is known for its hit “God’s Not Dead.”