Truefaith

Originating from the title of New Order's 1987 hit single "True Faith," the Filipino band Truefaith immediately signaled its new wave roots. Early on the group drew from mid-'80s new wave textures to shape a light pop style, yet it later moved deeper into the Philippine mainstream by embracing MOR radio playlists. A 1993 demo of the track "Perfect"—a romantic ballad built on jangling guitars and longing vocals à la the Railway Children and the Lotus Eaters—climbed to number one on Manila Top 40 outlet DWRT. That breakthrough single reached far beyond the small-club cult following that had known the band through new wave covers, opening the door to mainstream listeners. After signing with OctoArts/EMI in the Philippines, Truefaith delivered its 1995 album Build, the group's first major commercial triumph and the project that established superstar standing at home. Build nevertheless arrived amid conflict when three founding members took vocalist Medwin Marfil to court over rights to the band name; Marfil prevailed and reassembled Truefaith with a mix of new and returning musicians. In 2000 the band earned a nomination for the Asian Viewer's Choice award at the MTV Video Music Awards, an accolade that failed to convert into a win yet restored the act to public view. Also issued that year, the compilation Memories Are Cheap: The Best of Truefaith, 1993-2000 offered a commercially potent survey of the group's path and documented its shift from new wave origins to easy listening icon.