Freestyle (Filipino band)

The band was originally founded by former guitarist Richard Felix "Tat" Suzara in Davao City. Two of the most notable members of the classic lineup include vocalists Jinky Vidal and Top Suzara, the band's primary songwriter, who left the band in 2011 and 2005 respectively and went on to have solo careers. Post-Freestyle, Vidal and Top Suzara had a reunion concert together in 2013. Other notable band members were vocalists Joshua Desiderio, Mike Luis, Ava Santos, and drummer Gerald Banzon who were with the band until Top Suzara returned and took over in 2022.

In mid-2022, after the pre-"Top Suzara-comeback" lineup disbanded, Top Suzara took over and continued the "Freestyle" brand accompanied by his own all-male session musicians. Suzara had his first comeback performance as Freestyle at 19 East in October 2022 in a sold-out gig. Suzara also trademarked "Freestyle" in the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) solely under his name. The IPO ruled that "Freestyle" is synonymous with the name Top Suzara and is deemed the rightful owner.{{Cite news |title=All-male Freestyle makes a comeback with frontman Top Suzara |url=https://mb.com.ph/2022/10/20/all-male-freestyle-makes-a-comeback-with-frontman-top-suzara/ |date=October 20, 2022 |last=Jusay |first=Annalyn S. |work=Manila Bulletin |access-date=October 20, 2022}}

• Christopher "Top" Suzara – vocals/guitar/chief songwriter (1997–2005; 2022–present)
• IJ Garcia – keyboards/vocals/musical director (2022–present)
• Ian Tan – bass/vocals (2022–present)
• Bouy Manalo – guitar/vocals (2022–present)
• Gibson Viduya – drums/vocals (2024–present)

• Jinky Vidal – vocals (1996–2011)
• Joshua Desiderio – vocals/keyboards/guitars (2005–2021)
• Mike Luis – vocals/keyboards (2005–2022)
• Tat Suzara – lead guitar/backing vocals/founder (1996–2019)
• Gerald Banzon – drums/percussion (1997–2021)
• Ava Santos – vocals (2012–2022)
• Rommel dela Cruz – bass guitar (2005–2019)
• Bobby Velasco – keyboards/arranger (2018–2022)
• Joel Guarin – bass guitar (2019–2022)
• Gino Aguas – lead guitar (2019–2022)
• Nikki Cabardo – keyboards (2000–2009)
• Carlo Tapia – bass guitar (1996–2005)
• Obet Luzon – keyboards (1996–2000)
• Tzuki Garcia – drums/percussion (1996–1997)
• Jun Masamayor – keyboards (1996–1997)
• Lerod Cailao – drums/vocals (2022–2024)

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:Additional band personnel history footnotes:

:* Vocalist Top Suzara is the cousin of lead founding member Tat Suzara.[http://www.philstar.com/entertainment/327299/why-top-suzara-left-freestyle Why Top Suzara left Freestyle – PhilStar.]

:* Former Viva Hot Babe Sheree, relative of Jinky Vidal, was once a touring vocalist.

:* Philippine Idol finalist Gail Blanco also guested as a touring vocalist.[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGQsE_IFIv8 Freestyle Interview]

:* Filipina Dutch singer Aliya Parcs also once guested as a backing vocalist in some selected shows.

:* Lead founding member Tat Suzara happens to be the ex-husband of another former member and vocalist, Jinky Vidal. Vidal and Tat got separated and eventually annulled in 2013. Vidal is now in a common-law partnership and has a child with singer/songwriter X Factor finalist Jeric Medina who is 16 years her junior.

:* Session musician Bogs Bautista toured with the band as drummer/percussionist from 2021–2022 when long-time drummer Gerald Banzon left in 2021.

:* Filipino-American singer/performer/educator, Hawaii Stars 1995 finalist, David Greenbaum from San Francisco, CA., performed with Freestyle when the band was based in Davao in 1996.{{cite web | url=http://davidgreenbaummusic.com/wst_page6.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150205024945/http://davidgreenbaummusic.com/wst_page6.html | archive-date=February 5, 2015 | title=David Greenbaum - Resume }}}}

• Closer to Home (Viva Records, 1999)
• Closer to Home 2 (Viva Records, 2000)
• Servant of All Jubilaeum A.D. 2000 (Viva Records, 2000)
• Tunog Acoustic 1 (Warner Music Philippines, 2003)
• Acoustic Lokal (Viva Records, 2003)
• Senti: 18 Pinoy Love Hits (Viva Records & Vicor Music, 2008)
• Senti Dos (Viva Records & Vicor Music, 2008)
• Hit Covers (Viva Records & Vicor Music, 2009)
• Senti 3 (Viva Records & Vicor Music, 2009)
• Simly Fied (More Than Acoustic) (Viva Records & Vicor Music, 2009)
• Senti Four: It's Complicated (Viva Records & Vicor Music, 2010)

• Freestyle Live (2000)
• The Love Concert: The Album (2001)
• All Hits Live at the Araneta (2003)
• Live @ 19 East (2006)

• Freestyle Live (2000)
• The Love Concert: The Album (2001)
• All Hits Live at the Araneta (2003)
• Live @ 19 East (2006)

• Before I Let You Go (1998)
• Bes Pren (2024)
• So Slow (1998)
• This Time (2000, also covered by Nadine Llustre & James Reid)

• Bakit Ngayon Ka Lang (Original by Asia's songwriter Ogie Alcasid)
• Half Crazy (2006, original by Johnny Gill)
• Paano (Original by Gary V. & not to be confused with the original song by APO)
• We Are Gifts (2000, original by Bukas Pala Music Ministry & Also The 1st gospel song of Freestyle Band & released from "Servant Of All" Catholic album by Viva Records)

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• [https://freestylephilippines.com/ Official website]
• {{Facebook|freestyle.philippines}} – new official page
• {{Facebook|FreestyleBandOfficial}}
• {{Twitter|Band_Freestyle}}
• [http://ghostarchive.org/varchive/QGQsE_IFIv8 Freestyle Interview]

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Category:Filipino contemporary R&B musical groups

Category:Filipino pop music groups

Category:Musical groups established in 1996

Category:Musical groups from Davao City

Category:Viva Records (Philippines) artists