Ephraim Ong (bass)

Starting from the age of 16, ephraim began learning how to play the guitar. Being influenced by alternative bands such as Oasis, Rivermaya, Parokya Ni Edgar, and such, he was driven and inspired to learn the craft of being a musician.

It all began in high school, playing for friends, singing the latest songs of that time, and just experiencing the pure pleasure of enjoying music. At the age of 18, being heavily involved in the Worship Ministry of his church, a need arose and the bass guitar finally caught his eyes. With a desire to help out more than to gain what he wants, he started to learn how to play the bass guitar just to cover the need of a lack in players, but not even noticing it, he began to love the instrument and cultivated a hunger to be better at it, thus enlarging his musicality. From being a pure alternative boy, he began exploring different genres such as blues, jazz, and funk through the influences of artists like victor wooten, marcus miller, and flea.

A couple of years later, he was given the opportunity to show his talent, his drive, his passion not just in church but outside, where everyone could see. He and some of his friends had built a small-time band which they called Crumb to play in some schools and parties. A year after that, he became the bassist of another school band called Dicot.

Although both bands were alternative based, ephraim had a desire for something different and yet something that could give more. Being heavily influenced by Dave Matthews Band by this time - til now - he formed his own band, Breakfast. Here, he fronted the whole band while playing acoustic guitar - just like mr. david j. matthews. Even though he was having the time of his life in that current position, his heart for the bass never died. Until... finally... one day, an old friend contacted him and gave him the offer of a lifetime, to play bass for a new project he's been working on, thus, the rebirth of Lovecore.

Now, together with the band's desire, drive, and passion for music, ephraim is determined to walk this path he is currently treading on and maximize his potential, to be all he is destined to be, to be one of the best at his craft. And yet, beyond all the technicalities and knowledge he has encountered and adapted about music, he has never forgotten the one principle about it that he began with... to simply have fun!!!

What got you interested into music?

i dunno... i just got into it...

How did the band get its name?

ask cy...

What's your band's instrumental formula?

kalokohan...

What are your musical influences each?

a lot...but the one with the most impact, i guess, is dave matthews band... and a lot of gospel

What other bands do you admire?

for foreign: oasis, john mayer, jack johnson, coldplay, STP, nirvana, etc.
local: bamboo, the dawn, wolfgang, razorback, barbie, kitchie

What other bands do you imitate in style?

dave matthews mostly, but then i try to incorporate a little red hot chili peppers

What do you think about music today compared to the music of previous decades, such as the 80's and 90's?

i believe the music today has become more practical and basic which people can easily relate to, unlike before which is incorporated with a more technical side... although both are good, it all depends on the listener... as for me, i prefer old school music

What do you think are the traits of a good song as opposed to a bad one?

a good song is simply a message that can relate to an individual... something that can make them say "Yes, that's me! the song is talking about me!"

What decade or era of music do you like the best? (Renaissance, 80's, 30's, etc.)

pre-historic! when rock was rock talaga!

What r your pastimes as a group off stage?

wala lang... tambay... probably chick hunting... hehe

What r your pastime individually off stage?

i find a cozy place to stay and read a nice book... or probably hang out with some friends...

How do each f you listen to a piece of music?

Do you emphasize voicing, percussion, harmony, etc? we're very sensitive on how our music would sound, so we do emphasize on a lot of things... sometimes we listen to music individually, and sometimes as a group... it depends really kung ano yung trip...

If given a million pesos to spend each, what'll you buy?

first off, i'll offer my tithe, then buy a nice bass, then a car, invest on a small home studio, then just save the rest... hehe

If you could spend an isolated island trip w/ a celebrity of choice, who'd it be?

depends... kung foreign, charlize theron, local naman, siguro si barbie almalbis

You guys have any pets?

before... doggy... but that was a long time ago... ngayon wala

What for you is the most important issue of the times (human rights, women's rights, Iraq war, medical research for cancer, etc.)?

no question about it. how are you and God? can you say that you are confident with your relationship with Him? bottom line is... do you know, i mean absolutely sure, if you'll go to heaven or hell when you die???

What's the worst thing that could possibly happen to you? The best?

the worst thing is not being able to live out God's purpose in my life... the best is to finally find and be with the girl i was destined to spend my life with... hahahaha! hopeless romantic talaga...

What would be the dream vacation for you?

a remote, virgin island escape na up to sawa talaga ang stay

Do you like computers? What do you like to do with computers?

yup! i like to play with them... hehe

What do you like to eat? Favorite food?

dami!!! from isaw sa UP diliman to chicken cordon blue sa country club!!! but i can never say no to pizza with coffee, and ice cream for dessert : )

Favorite color?

black with linings ng yellow

Do you like a big house or small house?

i'm a minimalist... so i'd prefer a small house that looks big... gets?

Or what kind of home do you have now?

typical

What things scare you the most? Any phobias?

lumilipad na ipis!!! ok lang kung nasa ground sila, pwede kong tapakan, or sa wall, slippers lang pang tapat diyan... but if they're airborne na, every man for himself! bahala kayo diyan!

What TV program do you love the most? Movie? Any unknowns or b-movies you like?

TV programs: friends, seinfeld, lost... Movies: mga braveheart, gladiator, LOTR type... unknowns: elephant, city of god

What do you consider the weirdest thing about you?

i tend to be an ironic paradox... sometimes what i love the most is what i hate the most as well...

Favorite kinds of clothes?

nice and comfy... parang sneakers, straight cut-loose jeans, and buttoned up polo shirt

What time of day do you feel the most active?

1:21 am... hehe

What do you believe makes your music unique from other artists'?

a feel that descibes us like no body else... like hearing a loved one's voice from the other room, you don't have to see the person to know who it is...

What traits would your true love have?

an unbridled passion and pure, unadulterated brokennes towards Jesus Christ... nakana!!!

If you were a drink, what drink would you be? The original question was, if you were a coctail… but since you don’t drink, drink…

rhumba frap (coffee based)... caffeine na nagpapa-wild and ice cream na nagpapa-cool! hahaha! ang baduy! basta anything that has caffeine, except for sodas...

Okay. Maybe you’d have an easier time with this one: if you were a music genre, what
genre would you be?

others...

What’s in your cd changer?

i dunno... wala akong cd changer eh... pero kung meron, cguro, dave matthews live in central park and everyday album nila, bamboo - light peace love, red hot chili peppers greatest hits, and jaco pastorius anthology

What’s a usual day like in your life?

wala lang... wake up, pray, watch a little tv, eat, a little studying here a little writing there, take a shower, go to lifegroup or hang out with friends, or kung may gig - kaskasan trips, then read a book or check my email at my favorite internet cafe before going home, then quiet time with God before going to bed...

What would people be surprised to find out about you?

that i'm actually a very quiet person when you really get to know me...

Rate your happiness factor on a scale of 1-10, 10 being the highest.

around 7... : )

What’s in your fridge?

i dunno.... wala ako sa bahay eh... but if i was to guess, typical food, but more on liquid stuff like water, milk, and juice...

How are you when not onstage…or not making music?

hanging out with friends or reading a nice book

Last words?

suportahan natin ang musikang pinoy! stop piracy! panatilihing malinis ang kapaligiran! para wala ng lumilipad-lipad na mga ipis! thank you...