Trends come and trends go, but the legends and icons will consistently be there no matter what. The ones who have made a mark and lasting impressions might not always be on the forefront of things, but they surely are in the thick of everything, doing things their own way and at their own pace. The finest wines are the ones that age well.

Tres Marias is an example of this. Lolita Carbon, the matriarch of Pinoy folk pioneers Asin. Cooky Chua, the voice of 90's Pinoy alternative stalwarts Color It Red and "Paglisan". Bayang Barrios, one of the most enduring names of modern Pinoy pop-folk-rock music and the voice behind hits such as "Malayo Man, Malapit Din" and "'Pag Nananalo Ang Ginebra".

They recently broke their five-year hiatus and released their new single "Isa Pa Nga", a classic ode to drowning our love woes with alcohol. Produced by multi-awarded producer-songwriter Jonathan Manalo, the song will be the first of a series of singles that will come from the trio and lead to an exciting full-length album that bridges the classic folk music we can expect form these ladies with modern pop sensibilities. The single is also accompanied by a music video starring Pinoy Big Brother (PBB) Season 10's Madam Inutz.

The song came from the legendary folk singer-songwriter Ysagani Ybarra. "Nagkasabay kami ni Ysagani as folk singers before sa Bodega around 1976, 1977," Lolita bared in an online media conference. "Nung narinig ko siya, hindi na siya kumakanta ng mga hindi niya gawa. Kinakanta na niya yang ‘Isa Pa Nga’ alongside ‘Biyaheng Langit’ which I recorded also with my own version and his permission, ‘Bilog Na Naman Ang Buwan’ na pinasikat ng Tropical Depression. To think 2022 na ngayon, so ngayon mabibigyan na ng bagong mukha na narinig ko na noon, grabe ang excitement ko. Dream din talaga ni Ysagani na ipakanta itong ‘Isa Pa Nga’ sa Tres Marias. Kapag nagsimula nang kumanta sa Cooky, alam na namin ni Bayang kung san kami pupuwesto, tapos batuhan na lang ng dynamics."

When asked about the process of creating the music video, everything went to the trio for their final approval. Cooky could also not help but make a confession about the shoot. "Yung music video, kailangan namin magpakatotoo sa kanta. Kaya talagang bumili kami ng mga drinks (laughs) para feel na feel namin. Grateful kami na napapayag namin si Madam Inutz. Gustong-gusto ko siya personally kaya kinilig ako nung nalaman kong sasama siya sa video."

While the song is about drinking alcohol over sadness and a failed relationship, Tres Marias believes it's far greater than that. "Hindi lang naman siya about love in particular. Puwede siyang tungkol sa lahat ng bagay-bagay," Bayang said. "Recently, sobrang na-depress din ako dahil sa mga pangyayari sa ating bansa, sa ating mundo, pero kailangan mong tanggapin yung mga pagkatalo, pagka-depress at pagkalungkot na ‘yun, tapos you have to… (stands up and raises fist) LABAN! Isa pa nga!"

"Selebrasyon ‘yan, walang katapusang selebrasyon ‘yan kasi lahat naman tayo nagse-celebrate whether it’s bad or good news, it’s another ‘Isa Pa Nga’," Lolita adds. "There’s always more."

"Sa ‘kin, parang hindi tayo nadadala sa pag-ibig, kahit lagi tayong nasasaktan, iibig at iibig tayong muli dahil nagtitiwala ka sa power of love," Cooky says. "‘Isa Pa Nga’-ng beses para masaktan."

The recent pandemic exposed Cooky for more new music to enjoy. "Dahil sa pandemic nawalan ng gigs, natuto akong mag-streaming online," she relates. "So siyempre, dahil sa mga requests napa-aral ako ng mga bagong songs katulad ng ‘Buwan’ JK Labajo and ‘Leaves’ Ben&Ben. Doon ko na-realize na andaming mahuhusay na batang musicians and songwriters."

And like a lot of greats, they understand the party is the secret to their longevity. "Enjoy na enjoy kami sa kabuwangan namin (laughs)." Lolita jokingly says.

"Masarap naman yun eh," Bayang adds. "Kapag nagpe-perform ka, once nag-enjoy ka, mabibigay mo sa audience mo. Dapat ikaw muna sa sarili mo ang mag-enjoy."