Ben&Ben’s Jam Villanueva Confirms Final Year with the Band
- December 12, 2025
Ben&Ben’s drummer Jam Villanueva has confirmed that 2026 will be her final year with the acclaimed Filipino folk-pop band, marking the end of a significant chapter in the group’s eight-year journey together.
In a heartfelt three-minute video posted on the band’s official Instagram account, Jam addressed fans and shared reflections on her time with the nine-piece collective. “Next year, 2026, will be my last year with the band,” she announced, emphasizing both gratitude and a sense of closure as she looks ahead to a new stage in her life.
Jam referenced the band’s own music as part of her statement, alluding to the meaning behind their song “Saranggola,” a track that explores themes of friendship, growth, and letting go.
Jam’s message touched on her gratitude for meeting chosen families, memorable performances, and the community she and her bandmates have built since the group’s early days. She expressed thanks to the band’s team, collaborators, and their fans they collectively call “Liwanags” for supporting the band’s music and journey. “Words can never express how deep my gratitude is for everyone,” she said.
Two life events, she explained, helped shape her decision: her marriage in 2024 and a wrist injury in April 2025 that has affected her ability to play drums.
Despite the sudden announcement that left artist friends and fans shocked and emotional, the drummer stressed that she plans to remain active with Ben&Ben throughout 2026 and hopes to make that year “fun and memorable” for fans at shows, events, and “hangouts.”
Ben&Ben is a nine-member band known for hits like “Sa Susunod na Habang Buhay,” “Pagtingin,” and “Kathang Isip” and has continued to thrive as one of the Philippines’ most beloved contemporary bands. The group is also preparing the December 14 release of their concert film The Traveller Across Dimensions, keeping momentum as they head into next year’s transition.
