If you were anywhere near a radio or a Spotify playlist in the Philippines back in 2017, you heard them. That infectious, funky bassline from "Mundo" wasn't just a song; it was a cultural shift. But the story of the IV Of Spades members is a bit of a rollercoaster, honestly. People still argue in YouTube comments about who "carried" the band or why things fell apart right when they were hitting their peak. It’s complicated.
They looked like they stepped right out of a 1970s disco—bell-bottoms, tinted shades, and enough charisma to make even the most cynical indie snob pay attention.
The lineup was lightning in a bottle. You had Zild Benitez on bass and vocals, Blaster Silonga on lead guitar, Badjao de Castro on drums, and, for a crucial stretch, Unique Salonga as the lead singer and rhythm guitarist. It was a weird, beautiful mix of personalities that probably shouldn't have worked as well as it did.
The Original Four: How They Met
Most people don't realize how young they were. We’re talking teenagers. The band was formed in 2014, and the connection was largely through their fathers, who were also musicians. It was basically a family affair. Allan "Daddy A" Silonga, Blaster’s dad, acted as the manager and helped mold that early aesthetic.
Zild and Blaster were the technical prodigies. If you watch old videos of them jamming before the fame, the chemistry is undeniable. Zild has this frantic, melodic energy on the bass that reminds you of Flea but with a pop sensibility. Blaster, meanwhile, was doing things with a guitar that felt way beyond his years—pure psychedelic soul.
Then you have Badjao. He’s often the most underrated of the IV Of Spades members, but he provided the literal heartbeat. Without his steady, jazz-influenced pocket, the other guys would have just floated off into space. He kept it grounded.
And then there was Unique.
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Unique Salonga was the "enigma." His voice had this haunting, retro quality that felt like a bridge between the past and the future. When you put those four in a room, you got Hey Barbara. You got Mundo. You got a movement.
The Departure That Everyone Still Talks About
May 2018 was a dark month for the fandom. After weeks of speculation—and a few awkward shows where Unique was noticeably absent—the band officially announced he was leaving.
It felt premature. They were arguably the biggest band in the country at that exact second.
Why did he leave? Honestly, it depends on who you ask, but the official line was a desire to pursue "personal endeavors." In the years since, it's become clearer that there were creative differences and the sheer pressure of sudden, massive fame. Unique wanted to do something weirder, something less "pop." If you listen to his solo debut Grandma, you can hear the departure. It’s experimental, synth-heavy, and far removed from the funk-rock of the band.
The fans were split. Some felt betrayed. Others respected the hustle. But the three remaining IV Of Spades members—Zild, Blaster, and Badjao—didn't just fold.
The Trio Era: Prove Them Wrong
A lot of critics thought the band was dead without Unique. They were wrong.
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The trio doubled down. Zild took over full-time lead vocals, which was a natural transition since he was already writing a huge chunk of the material. They released ClapClapClap! in 2019, and it was a statement piece. It was denser, more philosophical, and definitely more "rock" than their earlier stuff.
Songs like "Come Inside of My Heart" proved that the DNA of the band was still intact. Blaster’s guitar work became even more adventurous. Zild’s songwriting started tackling themes of identity and existential dread, moving away from the simpler love themes of their debut.
But being a trio is exhausting. You could see it in their live performances. They were giving 200% just to fill the sonic space that four people used to occupy.
Where Are the IV Of Spades Members Now?
As of 2026, the band is on an "indefinite hiatus." They never officially broke up in a "we hate each other" kind of way, but they've all gone their separate ways to explore who they are outside of the matching outfits.
Zild Benitez
Zild has been the most prolific. He’s released multiple solo albums like Homework Machine and Huwag Na Lang. He’s leaned heavily into a lo-fi, synth-pop, and even punk-adjacent sound. He’s a true auteur. He plays almost every instrument on his records. He’s moved far away from the "Spades" sound, showing a vulnerability that was sometimes hidden behind the band's theatricality.
Blaster Silonga
Blaster formed a new project called Blaster and the Celestial Klowns. It’s exactly what it sounds like—theatrical, chaotic, and musically brilliant. He’s leaning into the "guitar hero" persona but with a satirical twist. He’s also become a bit of a fashion icon in the local scene, continuing that vintage aesthetic but making it grittier.
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Badjao de Castro
Badjao has remained the most low-key. He’s been involved in various musical projects and remains one of the most respected session drummers in Manila. He’s also collaborated with other indie artists, proving that his timing and "feel" are still top-tier.
Unique Salonga
Unique continues to release music under O/C Records. His work has become increasingly avant-garde. He doesn't care about radio hits anymore. He’s making art for art’s sake. Whether you like his new direction or not, you have to admire the guts it took to walk away from a sure thing.
The Legacy of the Lineup
What made the IV Of Spades members special wasn't just the music; it was the fact that they made "bands" cool again for a new generation. Before them, the OPM scene was very much dominated by solo singers and acoustic balladeers. They brought back the spectacle. They brought back the idea that a band is a gang—a group of people with a shared vision and a specific "look."
They also bridged a massive generational gap. Grandparents liked them because they sounded like the VST & Co. or the Beatles. Kids liked them because they were fresh and spoke to the anxieties of being young in the Philippines.
Common Misconceptions About the Band
- They "broke up" because of a fight. While there were tensions (as there are in any group of creative geniuses), the hiatus was more about growth. They started so young that they needed to find out who they were as adults.
- Unique wrote everything. Not true. Zild was a massive powerhouse in the songwriting department from day one. The "sound" was a collective effort.
- They are coming back in 2026. There are rumors every single year. While they remain friends (Zild and Blaster still hang out and support each other's shows), there is no official word on a reunion.
How to Follow Their Current Work
If you're looking to dive back into the world of these musicians, don't just wait for a reunion that might not happen. The solo work is where the real meat is now.
- Check out Zild’s "Huwag Na Lang" if you want that catchy but existential vibe.
- Listen to Blaster’s "Disko Na" for a masterclass in modern Pinoy funk.
- Revisit Unique’s "Sino" to understand why his departure was such a big deal.
The IV Of Spades members might be on different paths, but their impact on Filipino music is permanent. They didn't just play songs; they defined an era of Philippine indie culture that prioritized being weird, being stylish, and, above all, being technically proficient.
To truly appreciate where they are now, you have to stop comparing their solo projects to "Mundo." They've grown up. The bell-bottoms might be in the closet, but the musicality is sharper than ever. Keep an eye on the gig schedules in Quezon City and Makati; you'll often catch them playing small clubs, still honing the craft they started as kids in a garage.
The best way to support them is to engage with their current evolution. Follow their individual social media pages for surprise drops, as all four members are known for releasing music with very little warning. Whether it's a Zild synth-pop experiment or a Blaster guitar odyssey, the spirit of what made IV Of Spades great is still very much alive in the local circuit.