Christian International School-based band Iktus, which bagged the grand prize at the recently concluded Sun Broadband Quest Battle of the Bands, has inked a one-year contract with Sun Broadband and MCA Music Inc.

"We are thankful for this wonderful opportunity of partnering with Sun Broadband and MCA Music, and we are very excited to share our music to a wider audience,” says Iktus. “The competition gave us a great starting point, and now, we are looking forward to enhancing further our craft and maximizing our exposure to the professional music scene through our recording contract,”

Composed of Carizza Panaligan on vocals, Augusto Mendoza on guitars, Andrei Panaligan on bass and Andrew Panaligan on drums, Christian Band Iktus got its name based on the Greek word “ichtus” which stands for fish, a common symbol for Christianity. The band names Rivermaya, Silent Sanctuary, Sugarfree, Itchyworms, Urbandub, Paramore, Flyleaf, Switchfoot and Run Kid Run as its musical influences.

“This is a great initiative with Sun Cellular, as we’ve always found it exciting to support developments within the local community, especially the youth. We are glad to have discovered this group of promising young people, coming together to express theirselves through good music,” shares MCA Music Inc. President Ricky Ilacad.

Meanwhile, Sun Cellular’s Vice President for International and Data Services Michele Curran revealed that this endeavor was pursued by Sun Broadband to give aspiring bands the opportunity to fulfil their dreams of making it big in the music industry.

“Especially with the growth and democratization of digital media, Sun Broadband aims to help these young talents like Iktus to be known in boundless spheres, not only through conventional mainstream media but also through the growing audience of music enthusiasts online,” adds Curran.

Apart from the one-year contract, Iktus, as the grand winner of the Sun Broadband Quest Battle of the Bands, Iktus was given P150,000.00 cash prize, and professional coaching through the Sun Broadband Quest-MCA Workshop.

Photo shows on (standing from left) Karen Capellan, Sun Cellular Senior Manager for Postpaid Marketing, Ricky Ilacad, President of MCA Music Inc., Michele Curran, Department Head for Data and International Services for Sun Cellular, Pam Santiago, Head for Broadband Postpaid Marketing for Sun Cellular, (sitting) Andrei Panaligan, Iktus bassist, Carizza Panaligan, vocals, Andrew Panaligan, drums, and Augusto Mendoza, guitars.

Sun Cellular is a member of the PLDT group.