Savoring the Nu Flavor experience

By Marian A. Maraya

Staff Reporter

Pandemonium enveloped Hard Rock Cafe Friday night as screaming teenagers relished their first taste of California-based pop group Nu Flavor, the first boy band to ever set foot on Saipan.

In a one-night performance, Jacob Ceniceros, Frank Pangelinan, Anthony DaCosta, and Rico Luna — the voices behind the nationally-renowned singing quartet worked up the crowd with live renditions of their monster hit songs “Heaven,” “Three Little Words,” “Sweet Sexy Thing,” to name few.

Star-truck youngsters were no less than captivated by the group’s soulful harmonies coupled with dynamic dance movements. The zealous crowd was no sooner chanting to the band’s hit singles and likewise gyrating to their upbeat tunes.

Hours before the concert, group member Anthony expressed excitement over the opportunity to perform in a fresh location: Saipan.

“This is the farthest we’ve ever been from our homes. And it overwhelms me especially that our songs are actually listened to everywhere. This performance is dedicated to thanking all those people who has always supported us. . .they are the reason why we are here,” says Anthony.

Predominantly comprised of Mexican-Americans, one member of the brood of four has local roots. Frank Pangelinan, the group’s tenor/lead, is half-Chamorro.

But the boys were born and raised in Long Beach and Compton, California, where they lived within miles of each other.

The Nu Flavor act, which began in 1994, first earned applause through the Journey classic “Open Arms,” the song that introduced the group to the exciting world of the recording industry.

Since then, the quartet has made its own waves in the music scene, where they still struggle to make their mark from countless numbers of boy bands.

“We’re considered as a boy band but we want to differentiate ourselves from others because we’re not your typical “fabricated and auditioned” group. We’re genuine,” says 27-year-old Anthony.

While band members consider it an honor to be pitted against world-famous boy band sensations such as Backstreet Boys and ‘NSync, the boys maintain the one element that makes them “un-boy-band-like” is the fact that they were not solely programmed to be a part of one performing group.

“We’re not fabricated. We write our own songs. And more importantly, we were together way before there was Nu Flavor. We were never exposed to any professional training in songwriting or singing. I think that sets us apart from the rest,” says Jacob.

The boys share a genuine, close-knit friendship which they term as “brotherhood,” keeping them intact through life’s cycle of ups and downs.

Currently working on a new album, Nu Flavor is embarking on Latin-inspired tracks to carry their third set of song releases.

“We know there’s a lot of groups out there that are trying to get started. There’s so much competition in the music world, however, it is truly worth a try. Go after your dreams,” Jacob encourages the youths.

Friday’s one-night exclusive Nu Flavor concert was sponsored by Budweiser, Power 99, Hard Rock Cafe, Jollibee, and Boiz II Mix.