Juan dela Cruz Band

Juan dela Cruz Band is a legendary Filipino rock group formed in the early 1970s, widely regarded as one of the pioneering acts of Pinoy rock — rock music sung in Tagalog rather than English. The band is most closely associated with vocalist and guitarist Mike Hanopol and, in its classic lineup, drummer and singer Pepe Smith, both towering figures in Philippine rock history, alongside bassist Wally Gonzalez.

The group's signature song, «Ang Himig Natin» («Our Melody»), is considered a foundational anthem of Filipino rock and is frequently cited as one of the first rock songs recorded in Tagalog, helping to legitimize the language as a vehicle for rock expression at a time when English-language covers dominated the local scene. Their sound blended blues-rock and psychedelic influences with distinctly Filipino sensibilities, and songs such as «Beep Beep» and «Balong Malalim» became staples of the era's rock radio and live circuit.

Juan dela Cruz Band's influence extended well beyond their original run, shaping generations of Filipino rock musicians and helping establish the template for OPM (Original Pilipino Music) rock. Pepe Smith in particular became an enduring, larger-than-life figure in Philippine music culture, and the band's catalog remains a reference point whenever the history of Filipino rock is discussed.