Once upon a time, a music journalist/author-illustrator and her guitarist/sound engineer/music arranger husband sat down to make a rundown of the most iconic guitar riffs in Filipino music history (to memory). Line by line, they began to fill a page of a notebook, until they landed with 50 songs.

That's right. 50 songs from across a spectrum of genres with the most iconic and unforgettable guitar riffs created by Filipino hands all on one list. The music journalist's editor's wide eyes grew with "Are you sure about this?"

Sheepishly, the music journalist replied, "I know it's a lot. This feature is going to kill me."

So together, music journalist and editor decided to split up the list into three—iconic guitar riffs by era. It took a while to get there, but they got there. And so here it is, by year of release, the first list of songs by Filipino bands and artists with iconic guitar riffs from the '70s, '80s, and '90s.

Juan Dela Cruz Band - 'Beep Beep'

You can't say you're a guitar player who loves Pinoy rock if you've never jammed to Juan Dela Cruz Band.

Any Filipino guitarist most definitely has played the 'Beep Beep' riff at least once in their lives, possibly testing out guitars at a music shop or for soundcheck at a bar gig. It's got that bad-boy, rock-n'-roll vibe the chicks dig and make the guys feel cool. If your folks love Cream's 'Sunshine of Your Love' and Deep Purple's 'Smoke on Water', they're definitely into this song, too.

Gary Valenciano - 'Di Na Natuto'

Gary Valenciano's rendition of 'Di Na Natuto' gives the Apo Hiking Society track a more laid back, jazzy feel that will remind you to take care of your heart. It was arranged by the great Menchu Apostol, who also played the unforgettable guitar parts on the track, turning the originally upbeat song into a ballad that would later be played over and over for every broken heart that was led on.

The Dawn - 'Enveloped Ideas'

There have always been good guitarists, but not all of them were Teddy Diaz-good. By simply using four repeating notes, the late guitarist of The Dawn strung up one of the most iconic riffs from the '80s on 'Enveloped Ideas'.

Sampaguita - 'Nosi Ba Lasi'

The thing about Sampaguita's 'Nosi Ba Lasi' is once it starts playing, it feels like you're the protagonist in an old school Filipino action film, green-tinted and all. It's very classic rock, for sure, and its iconic guitar harmony (when the riff plays a second time around in the intro) is difficult to forget.

Eraserheads - 'Alapaap'

Guitar riffs aren't exactly what the Eraserheads are known for, but 'Alapaap' changed that forever. There's something about the guitar and bass riff that makes it a wonderful first-thing-in-the-morning kind of sound. It's soothing, maybe a little bit dreamy. Then the beat quickens and you're ready to start your day. It's a hit for a reason.

AfterImage - 'Mangarap Ka'

AfterImage's 'Mangarap Ka' is the kind of Filipino rock song you hear your older brother playing along to on his guitar in the middle of the night, especially when he was pretending he didn't have exams the following day. It carries a sense of hope that somehow made him believe he'd pass the quarter after reviewing for 10 minutes.

Teeth - 'Laklak'

It's the '90s and you're at an inuman session with your friends. Someone brings out a guitar and 'Laklak' by Teeth might just be the first thing you strum, whether you're sober or seeing double. It's an excellent example that riffs don't have to be extremely complicated to be iconic. It has very strong recall and could be played by the most wasted guy in the gang. Just be careful not to drink too much.

Rizal Underground - 'Sabado Nights'

If there had to be one song to soundtrack every '90s bad boy, it would be Rizal Underground's 'Sabado Nights'. You know how it goes—he whips on his jacket, rides off into the night on a motorbike or a fancy car, and steps into a bar to order an ice-cold beer. Okay, yes, that's a San Miguel Beer commercial from back in the day but hearing that riff won't stop you from picturing it.

Francis M - 'Suckin on Helium/Kaleidoscope World'

'Kaleidoscope World' has seen a lot of covers (or should we say "revivals") through the years. It's iconic for Filipinos, but this song has a secret weapon that obliterates your sense of gravity toward the end—it's the entire section ruled by its killer guitar solo. This section may be a minute long, but it's packed with so many tasteful riffs. Think about how the closing solo on the Eagles' 'Hotel California' goes. The song isn't complete without it. The same goes with 'Kaleidoscope World'.

Razorback - 'Payaso'

When it comes to breaking necks, Razorback knew just how to do it with a badass guitar riff. 'Payaso' is the kind of tune that opens a bar scene in a movie with large dudes, entering with their leather jackets and big boots. Then a fight ensues (but the band keeps playing onstage, of course). Bottles fly around, crashing against the walls. If anything, the music might just pump up these guys even more. But remember, this is a scene in a movie. Please don't do this in real life.

P.O.T. - 'Panaginip'

In all honesty, it is incredibly difficult to pick just one iconic guitar riff by P.O.T's Ian Umali. They're all undeniable earworms that could set camp in our brains forever. But there's something extra special about 'Panaginip'.

They say that music has the power to take you places. When it comes to 'Panaginip', you'll find your astral projections making their own projections as you soar through dreamscapes soundtracked by a wonderfully melodic, funky, and soothing guitar riff. It's sweet, tinged with a sense of longing you can hear through every slide of the strings.

Wolfgang - 'Atomica'

If Filipino hard rock fans have Razorback, the metalheads have Wolfgang. They have that undeniable Metallica-esque sound that's hard to ignore, but they're able to stand strong on their own, especially with 'Atomica'. It opens with quiet, delicate plucking of strings before revving up by the 1:45 mark toward a dark and sinister turn. 

(Cute childhood story: Back in the fifth grade, I was hanging out at one of the stone tables in the open field at school. It was lunchbreak, I think, and there was this girl who asked, "You like metal right?" I answered, "Yeah." Then she said, "Do you know 'Atomica'?" From there, a beautiful friendship began.)

Parokya Ni Edgar - 'Halaga'

The music of Parokya Ni Edgar was everywhere as it boomed through the '90s, but it made the most noise in the streets. With 'Halaga', they became the kings of what would be called tunog kalye. It was a go-to for countless aspiring guitarists. They played it anywhere, starting spontaneous jam sessions that would lead to the creation of more bands across the country.

This is part one of Bandwagon's list of iconic guitar riffs by Filipino musicians. Stick around as we tackle the early 2000s next!