On August 15, Inside LAMANO, the We Can’t Relate collective set the stage for Mixed Temptations, redefining Davao City’s underground music scene. Acting as true sonic necromancers, We Can’t Relate introduced a sound that commanded the room, casting an inescapable trance that seamlessly fused local, national, and international underground music.
Mixed Temptations emerged from a profound need to push alternative sounds and create a genuine space for music discovery. “We simply couldn’t relate to the mainstream music usually played by DJs in Davao,” the founders explained. “When the pandemic hit, and travel was restricted, it forced us to build that scene here in our own city. Our first event was a basement party at Durian World that went until 4:00 AM.”
Photo by Nicole Joy Caballero
Kendrick, Alyssa, and Harry discovered they were not alone in feeling disconnected from mainstream nightlife, so they started WCR in 2022. Their purpose was to connect local creatives and showcase regional talent. For the event Mixed Temptations, they collaborated with local figures such as Vince from Durian Candy, Nica, who oversaw operations, and various local artists on set design. This collaboration brought global sounds, immersive energy, and festival-grade audio right to the heart of Davao City.
Two stages, one collective energy.
Within the walls of LAMANO, the night unfolded across two distinct stages, each curated to create a singular, immersive energy. This dual-layered environment invited seekers to drift between atmospheres, weaving a cohesive thread through the underground experience.
Photo by Nicole Joy Caballero
At the Waling-Waling Stage, selectors moved fluidly through house, disco, and the wider underground. International acts and drag performers shared the space, opening the floor for everyone to dance as one. The main stage featured back-to-back energy from WCR’s Ramses and Sound Nais’s Thirstkid, leading into a captivating performance by Beking Liwayway, champion of XCLV Drag Superstar Season 3. Closing out the main floor was a captivating B3B set from Ouissam, Emel, and Saintguel of Equation and Wonderfruit.
Saintguel. Photo by Nicole Joy Caballero
Ramses. Photo by Nicole Joy Caballero
Ouissam. Photo by Nicole Joy Caballero
Emel. Photo by Nicole Joy Caballero
Upstairs at the Tago Stage, the room went intentionally dark. Beloved national artists and local acts—including WCR’s Syzygy and DIK, Cradio Radio’s Moni-Moni, and Trust from Transit Records & KINKI—have mastered the art of soul-catching.
Syzygy. Photo by Nicole Joy Caballero
Dik. Photo by Nicole Joy Caballero
Moni-moni. Photo by Nicole Joy Caballero
Trust. Photo by Nicole Joy Caballero
Like sonic necromancers, they pull the room somewhere different with a magnetic energy that gets under your skin. With lower lights and a tighter room, it has a beautiful, inescapable pull all on its own.
Nurturing a safe space for diverse subcultures.
The true success of the night was the vibrant, queer spirit that filled the room. “Sobrang bakla! You can definitely see that the set is designed and tailored for the local community, including the queer people,” noted Yuki, a resident photographer in Davao City.
Beking Liwayway. Photo by Nicole Joy Caballero
At its heart, the We Can’t Relate mission is defined by such intentional and inclusive curation. Ultimately, the underground scene focuses on cultivating a unique communal spirit while protecting a sanctuary where diverse subcultures can truly blossom. Realizing this vision demands that performers resonate deeply with their listeners, honoring the multifaceted creative heartbeat of the city.
A spirit forever changed.
As the night drew to a close, the crowd was left energized and craving more. WCR proved that a community championing art, diversity, and radical self-expression exists right here at home.
Photo by Nicole Joy Caballero
“Ultimately, we do this for music discovery,” said Kendrick when asked about the collective’s vision. “We are music lovers first, and we built this platform because we wanted to hear the music we love played out loud in our own city.”
Mixed Temptations showed that global festival culture is completely accessible in Davao. All it takes is a willingness to step into the underground, connect with a community hungry for creativity, and allow yourself the freedom to discover music that moves you.
