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Cebu Music Festival-USA brings Bisdak pride to California
The Freeman
|September 26, 2025
NOW ON 2ND EDITION
Rolly Wagas had built a name for himself in the Cebuano music scene. As one of the founding members of the Anakpawis Band and releasing three solo albums to his name, he often performed at protest rallies as most of his tracks carried sociopolitical themes.
He also shared the stage with acts such as ASIN, Joey Ayala, Noel Cabangon, The Jerks and Agaw Agimat.
The singer-songwriter from Compostela, Cebu left that behind in 2006 when his wife Darlene, a nurse, was offered a working visa to the United States - a decision he admits was made with a “broken heart.”
“I didn’t want to leave Cebu as my music career was at its peak, about to go national when a producer offered me a project in Manila. But I chose my family over my career,” he told The FREEMAN. “It took me years to adjust away from Cebu. Until now, I would still choose Cebu over America.”
This story is from the September 26, 2025 edition of The Freeman.
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