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August 1, 2025 — Filipino alt-rock band Here & Now returns today, August 1, with “Himala”, a compelling new single that marks a turning point in their sound, direction, and artistic identity. Known for emotionally charged songwriting and genre-blending arrangements, the band now moves with newfound clarity into cinematic Filipino alternative rock — combining atmosphere with precision, introspection with accessibility.
Over the past year, the band has quietly grown in both size and spirit, welcoming longtime friend and collaborator Allen Guarnes as guitarist and backing vocalist. His addition completes the six-member lineup, joining Paco Santos (vocals), Patrick Poblador (guitar/vocals), Lance Camposano (guitar), Gab Palanca (bass), and Franco Aguila (drums). This shift has opened up new creative possibilities — deepening their sound, refining their songwriting process, and strengthening the group’s chemistry both in the studio and onstage.
Himala embraces a rich, emotional palette. Built on interlocking guitar textures, melodic bass lines, crisp percussion, and layered vocals, the track is patient in its pacing but immersive in its impact. It draws from pop rock, alternative, OPM balladry, and subtle cinematic flourishes — signaling a sonic direction that feels both familiar and elevated.
Lyrically, the song explores the duality of wonder and doubt: the experience of encountering something or someone that feels miraculous, only to question its truth. The line “Ikaw ang himala sa aking buhay” (“You are the miracle in my life”) forms the emotional center of the track — part confession, part question. Repeated throughout the song, the word “hinihintay” becomes a quiet mantra, capturing a longing that is both hopeful and uncertain.
As the song builds, the emotional tension deepens. The final line, “O nililinlang mo ako?” (“Or are you deceiving me?”), arrives not as a twist, but as a quiet unraveling — revealing the inner conflict that has been present all along. This interplay between awe and hesitation gives Himala its emotional weight.
While Here & Now has always been rooted in emotional honesty, this release signals a more deliberate approach to composition and production. Gone are the aggressive textures of their post-hardcore and djent-influenced beginnings — in their place is a refined, melodic sound that leans into clarity and storytelling. Vocals are cleaner, arrangements more spacious, and the choice to write in Filipino adds emotional nuance and cultural depth.
The band’s creative process has also matured. Himala is a product of full-band collaboration — the result of years of trust-building, experimentation, and mutual growth. Each member brings their voice to the table, shaping the music not just through technical skill but through shared intention. The result is a sound that is unified, personal, and resonant.
More than a comeback, Himala is a reintroduction — one that reflects how far the band has come, and where they’re choosing to go next. It’s the first in a series of releases that aim to push the boundaries of what modern Filipino rock can sound like: emotionally vulnerable, sonically bold, and grounded in lived experience.
Here & Now isn’t chasing trends. They’re carving their own path — one built on connection, experimentation, and honesty.
Their name may point to the present, but with Himala, Here & Now is firmly looking forward.