Rayver, Matt and Glaiza pursue musical side in ‘Sinagtala’

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“Sinagtala” isn’t just another musical drama as the actors playing the band bring their real-life musicianship to the inspirational film directed by Mike Sandejas.

The STAR recently had exclusive interviews with Rayver Cruz, Glaiza de Castro and Matt Lozano, who formed part of the Sinagtala band along with Arci Muñoz and Rhian Ramos.

They didn’t just act the part — they performed live, played instruments and bonded like a real band on and off the set.

The story centers around a band — frontman Reggie (Rayver), rhythm guitarist Paola (Glaiza), drummer June (Rhian), lead guitarist Isko (Matt) and bassist Carla (Arci) — and how their friendship helps the members cope with personal and professional struggles. It’s now showing in cinemas nationwide.

“The most interesting and most unexpected (thing that happened on set) is nung nagsama-sama kami performing on stage... It was one of the most magical things that I experienced in the film ‘Sinagtala,’” Matt shared, recalling that they played live before an actual 1,000-strong concert crowd.

According to Rayver, the chemistry of the band members was also instant. “Hindi ko kasi in-expect na sa first day pa lang (of the shoot) ... talagang nabuo agad yung chemistry,” said Rayver.

Glaiza added, “Kahit tapos na yung pelikula, pakiramdam namin banda pa rin kami.”

This real-life connection somehow made their scenes together feel like genuine jam sessions rather than scripted moments.

Beyond the music, the film’s message left a strong impression on the cast. Rayver shared the main takeaway for him from his character’s journey, “Always keep fighting. Tatagan mo yung faith mo sa Panginoong Diyos and value the people who love you.”

Glaiza’s takeaway, on the other hand, was about the fleeting nature of life’s emotions: “Yung lungkot, nawawala minsan bumabalik. Ganun rin yung saya… gamitin para sa ikatututo at ikasasaya.”

Soundtracks such as The Dawn’s Totoo and the original song Rise Above resonated with the actors. Rayver said he was reminded of his late mother while performing Totoo, while both Matt and Glaiza favored Rise Above for its lyrical meaning about overcoming challenges.

“It’s a good reminder that no matter how dark the path is, you will overcome it,” said Matt.

For Rayver, two scenes stood out — one where the band first plays together, and another involving a heartfelt phone call with his character’s daughter because, like his character Reggie, “gusto kong yung mga taong nagmamahal sa’kin, maging proud sa’kin.”

Glaiza pointed out her character’s firm foundation of faith, while Matt considered a hilarious yet moving bathroom scene with Arci as the most unforgettable.

Below are more excerpts from the interviews with Rayver, Matt and Glaiza.

On appreciating music more after filming “Sinagtala”:

Rayver: “After we did the film — actually while we were doing the film — parang alam mo yun, (came the realization) that music connects each and every one of us. We can talk to each other using music. And kahit sino sa’tin, I believe, needs music to express ourselves in our lives.

“Tapos ang dami pa naming nagawang original songs in the movie so talagang mas minahal ko yung musika. And parang sinabi ko sa sarili ko na itutuloy-tuloy ko na talaga ‘tong panahon ng music kung kaya ko, ‘di ba? Especially, singing.”

Matt: “Definitely, I’ve fallen more in love with music. It’s been a long time since I did gigs and performed. Before, I used to play every day or weekly. Siguro mas napalapit ako ulit ngayon sa music because of ‘Sinagtala.’”

Glaiza: “I’ve always appreciated music. It is my source of happiness, excitement and empowerment. Through filming ‘Sinagtala,’ I’m just being reminded of the reasons why it’s so important to me.”

On music’s role in their lives:

Rayver: A big, big part of my life is music. I grew up loving to dance. And when I dance, that’s how I express what I feel — and it’s all because of the music. If there’s no music playing or if I don’t feel the music, I can’t dance. And now, music is an even bigger part of my life because (girlfriend) Julie (Anne San Jose) and I bond over it — we make cover songs and sing together. And my family are musicians. So music really plays a big role in my life.”

Matt: “Music plays a big role in my life, too, because first of all, I always listen to music whenever I feel something in real life. I need music to express my emotions. It’s also my outlet — whenever I pick up my guitar, write songs or sing.”

Glaiza: “It is the other side of me. Of who Glaiza really is. She connects with music easily because it represents her emotions that sometimes she cannot express (through songs na napapakinggan ko at sinisulat ko). So outside acting, music is a friend that I keep coming back to.”

On their earliest memory of music:

Rayver: “My (earliest) moment with music is through my late mom. Everything started with her. Growing up, I saw her as a singer. She was the one who taught me and my siblings how to sing and dance from the very beginning. So for me, that’s my fondest memory and the biggest influence on my love for music — it’s really my Nanay.”

Matt: “I first appreciated music because of my Nanay. She used to be a lounge singer. I remember seeing her perform as early as when I was three years old. I still remember it clearly. I was proud because it was my mom singing on stage. I also remember when she brought me to one of her rehearsals. I really wanted to learn the violin because I enjoyed watching (a musician) play it. I never learned, but it made a big impact on me and made me want to try playing an instrument.

“When I was in first year high school, one of my female classmates brought a guitar to school. I didn’t know how to play. Inggit na inggit ako kasi bakit siya kababae niyang tao pero sobrang astig niya kasi naggigitara siya.

“I called my father — I was in Nueva Ecija and he was in Manila at that time — and I told him, ‘Pa, I want to learn how to play the guitar.’ When he came home to our province, he brought me a guitar as a gift. I remember it was a local brand and very cheap, but I was so happy. That’s how I started learning.

“The first song I learned was Biglaan by 6CycleMind, and it was that same female classmate who taught me. But after a week, I accidentally dropped the guitar and broke it. My father got really mad. He told me maybe the guitar wasn’t for me since I didn’t take care of it. But I begged him to let me continue, and after that, tuloy tuloy naman yung progress ko. My Papa is happy naman because until now, I’m still doing music.”

Glaiza: “I guess it all started with my family. Growing up, nakikita ko na silang kumakanta so I picked it up from them. I’m really reactive to music. I memorize and study the songs that I like. Ginagaya ko sila. When I was a teenager, solo artists or bands were really my inspiration.”

On pursuing music if not acting:

Rayver: “Oh yes, definitely. It’s because of the ‘Sinagtala’ film, I was able to fulfill one of my dreams — to have bandmates and have a band. Hindi ko alam kung magagawa ko pa siya now, but at least alam ko sa sarili ko na nagampanan ko yung role ng isang singer sa banda. And I feel blessed to portray the role and character of Reggie and to be part of ‘Sinagtala.’”

Matt: “From 2016 to 2019, I played in bars in Quezon City, 30 songs a night, and that really became my source of income that time. Kung hindi ako actor ngayon, I think baka hanggang ngayon tumutugtog pa rin ako kasi No. 1, music talaga ang bumubuhay sa pagkatao ko. And I love performing.”

Glaiza: “Yes!”