Echoes that Linger: An Unplugged Musical Experience

The walls of the Mindanao State University - Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) Gymnasium once again echoed with rhythm as Echoes, the university’s resident pop band, lit up the stage on Saturday, November 29, 2025. Echoes: Unplugged II opened with a resounding spectacle, the kind that drew the audience closer, until every breath, every beat, felt like part of the music itself.

Echoes: Unplugged II marked the 23rd iteration of the legendary MusiCause Concert series. For this year, the band took inspiration from productions like MTV Unplugged, Cozy Cove, and NPR Tiny Desk, choosing a cozy and intimate vibe that leaned on hand-played instruments and raw vocals to drive each performance.

 

Vocalist Gian Vanz Alicando, a third-year Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy student, shared that the preparations for the show were a group effort at its finest. Be it in arranging the chosen songs, collaborating on wardrobe choices, and planning and creating the concepts for the videos and stage, every member of the team had a hand in creating the one-night masterpiece.

“I had to memorize all the songs, including the sections where I would sing either the melody or the harmony, as well as the specific harmonies I would play. At times, I was also tasked to adjust the flow of a song and assign parts to others. This was enjoyable because it allowed me to explore different ideas and possibilities for how the song could be performed differently,” he remarked. 

Despite the thorough preparations, fellow third-year BA Philosophy student and vocalist Elijah Vinz Agot revealed that the entire process had its own ups and downs, not just in the technical aspects but also in the physical and mental states of the performers themselves. As students, he noted, balancing academics with rehearsals proved to be a real challenge.

Similarly, Alicando shared that he felt some anxiety on the day of the event after coming down with a cough and cold, but once the show began, everything suddenly felt lighter, like a weight had been lifted off his shoulders.

“Performing, to me, is a cathartic release, which is why I enjoyed performing at this very huge event. After the concert and during the curtain call, I felt very fulfilled and satisfied knowing that the concert was finally over and that I had done my part accordingly [hopefully],” he continued.
Meanwhile, Agot expressed that the whole experience felt, in a sense, bittersweet. There was joy in seeing their performances receive great reception from everyone, but also a pang of sadness that it all had to end.
“It was an experience that has changed something within me for the better and has sparked a fire within me to be a better performer,” he reflected.

True to the band’s intention of providing an intimate and nostalgic vibe to its audience, fourth-year Bachelor of Arts in English Language Studies student Mary Ferdeene Managing got a bit emotional while watching the performances with her friends, a good bonding moment before the inevitable parting brought by the impending graduation.

“I enjoyed it a lot gyud kay from start to end amazing tanan performances, tapos I got to sing along and have fun with my friends. Gi-enjoy gyud to namo na concert kay we won’t have that much time napud before we separate ways,” she admitted.

As the band took their final bow and the crowds slowly exited the Gymnasium, the place settled into a hush filled with the echoes of every chord that came before. Echoes: Unplugged left behind a warmth that lingered not just in the air, but also in the hearts of their audience that night. With every strum and every lyric, the performance felt like a reminder that even in a busy campus, moments of connection can still echo the loudest.

Written by Eula Grace Logarta

Proofread by Andrea Ross Sedero 

Photos by Samuel Adrian Guerra