After 22 years in the Filipino indie music scene, Ang Bandang Shirley has officially announced their disbandment, following the resurfacing of past allegations against their former guitarist-vocalist, Ean Aguila.
The band confirmed the news on February 19, 2025, through an official statement on their Facebook page, citing the impact of the controversy on both the group and its members.
According to the band’s remaining members—Debb Acebu, Miggy Abesamis, Kathy Gener, and Paolo Arciga—previous allegations against Aguila resurfaced this January with new information that significantly affected the group.
“Let it be known that we strongly do not condone his behavior, and we urged him to take full responsibility for his actions,” the band stated.
They further revealed that Aguila decided to quit the band, a move they supported.
“He made a statement and eventually decided to quit the band. We support this decision, and we sincerely hope for the healing of all parties involved,” the members added.
The controversy surrounding Aguila first surfaced in 2017, when an X (formerly Twitter) user made accusations of sexual misconduct and predatory behavior against several indie bands, including SUD, Jensen and the Flips, MilesExperience, and Ang Bandang Shirley.
At the time, the band issued a statement acknowledging the seriousness of the matter, emphasizing their commitment to correcting toxic behavior and supporting victims.
However, in January 2025, a new X user came forward with screenshots of Instagram stories from an individual claiming that Aguila pursued a relationship with her when she was 17 and he was 30.
Weeks later, Aguila issued a public statement on his personal Facebook account, acknowledging his past behavior.
“I want to emphasize that there is no excuse for how I behaved, and I hold myself accountable for that until this very day. I should have known better. I should have done better. I was in a position of influence, and I failed to recognize the responsibility that came with it—to respect boundaries and to be mindful of how my actions impacted others,” he wrote.
Following Aguila’s departure, the remaining members decided to officially end the band.
“As for the rest of the band members, we have decided not to continue as a band. This is the end for Ang Bandang Shirley. We thank you for all your support and for listening to our music throughout the years,” the band concluded.
Formed in 2003, Ang Bandang Shirley became one of the most influential indie pop-rock bands in the Philippines, known for their poetic storytelling and heartfelt melodies.
Fans and members of the OPM community have taken to social media to express their sadness over the band’s dissolution, while also thanking them for their contribution to the Original Pilipino Music (OPM) scene.
