Far East Movement performed at Republiq in Resorts World Manila last March 14, 2011. Members from left: Kev Nish (Kevin Nishima), Prohgress (James Roh), J Splif (Jae Chong), DJ Virman (Virman Coquia). Photo by Jude Bautista

Written and Photographed

By Jude Bautista

Far East Movement or FM for short headlined a concert in Republiq at Resorts World Manila. They also held a press conference at Marriot Hotel to talk about their “Freewired Tour” which started in Australia. FM is a hip hop/electro group known for their hits, “Rocketeer”, “Like a G6.” They are the first group with Asian American roots to make it big in the U.S. charts.

Incidentally, they also have a Filipino member in the person of Virman Coquia (DJ Virman). Other members include, Kevin Nishima (Kev Nish) is half Japanese and Chinese, Jae Chong (J Splif) and James Roh (Prohgress) are both of Korean Descent.

“Rocketeer” was co-written with Bruno Mars. Artists FM collaborated with in “Freewired” include Snoop Dogg, Keri Hilson, The Stereotypes, Ryan Tedder of OneRepublic, Mohombi, Frankmusik, Kayla Kai, Natalia Kills and Ya Boy. Sponsors for the event include SMART Communications, Channel V, Vans, Mossimo Music, Absolut Vodka, GMA Network, STATUS magazine, FOX.

from left Sarah Meier interviews BEP member Apl D'Ap as KC Montero looks on. Photo by Jude Bautista

One of the acts that Far East Movement looks up to is the Black Eyed Peas (BEP). Kev Nish was able to relate how they were able to meet the super group for the first time, “We’re humongous Black Eyed Peas fans. We actually have to thank the Black Eyed Peas. We had a show in Seattle we heard some people were in the crowd. We were on stage and who do we see but the Black Eyed Peas in the crowd. And we were shocked, we couldn’t believe it. App, Tabu and Will were there, we haven’t met Fergie yet. To us we look up to them.”

Far East Movement performed at Republiq in Resorts World Manila last March 14, 2011. Members from left: J Splif (Jae Chong), Kev Nish (Kevin Nishima). Photo by Jude Bautista

Being Los Angeles California natives, they appreciate the fact that (BEP) is also very representative of the city, “They are L.A. born and raised. They really represent L.A. They represent their individual heritage and as a team they’re able to show how far you can go as one voice and one mind. It’s really an inspiration to see everything they do.”

Here in the Philippines the most famous Black Eyed Peas member is Apl d’Ap who was born in Pampanga. Kev Nish added, “We’re honored to be on the same label with them in Interscope records. As a group, as a whole we would love to work with them. We run into App everywhere in L.A. along with Tabu and Will.

From left: Prohgress (James Roh) and DJ Virman (Virman Coquia). DJ Virman is the Fil-Am member of Far East Movement. They performed at Republiq in Resorts World Manila last March 14, 2011. Photo by Jude Bautista

DJ Virman clarified how they were able to come up with their group’s name. It was actually one of the songs that they first made. The phrase for them describes a generation rather than a racial or geographical meaning, “Our name Far East Movement, a lot of people think that it’s because of our Asian heritage. Really that wasn’t the intention which was funny since we made the song. We’re first teaching ourselves how to make music. There were no tutorials or You Tube videos on how to record music. So we had to figure it out. One of the first songs we taught ourselves how to record for us was that song. For us, the new generation of kids growing up in L.A. that was very multicultural influenced generation. Kids that were very street wear savvy, listened to all different types of music. We wanted to call it FM the Far East Movement.”

Far East Movement performed at Republiq in Resorts World Manila last March 14, 2011. Members from right: Prohgress (James Roh), J Splif (Jae Chong), Kev Nish (Kevin Nishima) and the lovely Ginger Cornejero of ABS CBN. Photo by Jude Bautista

Prohgress was also very honest about the song that resulted from the phrase, “It just sounded cool. I remember J Splif said it like very casual ‘Gee Far East Movement!’ Something about it seemed more than race. When he said it felt like a crew, a crew that represented more than music, more than lifestyle and more than race. It was when we were rehearsing in Prohgress’ kitchen. We realized it was more than just a name of a song. It was a terrible song. The rap was horrendous. We would never let anyone hear it. But the song itself it empowered us to realize that together we could be an artists’ group. The name has stuck with us ever since. For the record we go by FM for short not FEM.”

Newest hip hop artists, Lhar Santiago of GMA 7 and Ginger Cornejero of ABS CBN. Photo by Jude Bautista

FREE Resorts World Membership

I have to thank MCA for inviting me to the Far East Movement Press con. I walked into Resorts World to check out the venue before the FM concert at Republiq. In the lobby a young lady pitched an offer I can’t refuse… a free membership card. She had me at the word ‘free.’ All they needed was a valid ID from me, like a driver’s license. 15-20 minutes later I had a neat Resorts World membership card. It entitles me to: 100 NN Slot credits (which is auto loaded in the card), 20% off on 1 VIP or Premiere ticket at KAOS show (on a date of your choice), I get to pay only PHP88++ Breakfast Buffet or PHP 188++ Lunch Buffet at Mercado.

These are the free coupons you can get together with the free resorts World Membership, with MY name on them.

It sounds too good to be true but it’s real. It’s also a loyalty card with prizes for accumulated points whenever you go to Resorts World Manila. I was there on a Monday afternoon and the gaming area was almost full. Most similar places I’ve seen too often have tourists as clients. Here there was a strong local and young clientele. I also saw a lot more restos and shops. The cinemas were also among the best in the whole Metro. Please check www.rwmanila.com for more details. Go to the site to find out up to when they are giving the free membership cards. People are going in droves to get them.

Far East Movement performed at Republiq in Resorts World Manila last March 14, 2011. Members from left: DJ Virman (Virman Coquia), J Splif (Jae Chong), Kristine Serrano of Style Weekend, writer Jamie Ortega, Kev Nish (Kevin Nishima), Prohgress (James Roh). Photo by Jude Bautista