Prettier Than Pink: The Trailblazing All-Female Band That Rocked OPM
Before girl power became a global catchphrase, Prettier Than Pink was already living it out onstage in the Philippines. Known for their infectious pop-rock sound and unapologetic confidence, this all-female group broke barriers in the early 1990s — blending sugar, spice, and electric guitars into one unforgettable formula.
The band officially went professional in 1991, with Lei Bautista (lead vocals), Annie Trillo (bass), Gretchen Gregorio (keyboards), and Vanessa Garcia (drums). Originally performing under the name Pretty and Pink, they began by covering 1960s hits, later spinning their influences toward the vibrant pop-rock of the 1980s — groups like The Go-Go’s, The Bangles, and The B-52’s shaping their sound and style.
By 1995, a self-produced demo caught the attention of record labels, and the band rebranded with a bolder name: Prettier Than Pink. Signing with Neo Records (now VIVA Records), they released their self-titled debut album — and it didn’t take long for lightning to strike. The album went gold in just five months, powered by the smash hit “Cool Ka Lang,” written and composed by Bautista. The song’s playful message and catchy hook turned it into a defining anthem of the decade, topping OPM charts and earning the band massive radio airplay.
As the years went on, the lineup evolved but Bautista remained the band’s creative core. Their sophomore album, UnPink (1997), didn’t reach the same commercial heights, but its single “Baby” gained regional traction and earned Bautista a 1998 Awit Award nomination — a testament to the group’s staying power.
Soon after, Bautista relocated to the United States, breathing new life into Prettier Than Pink overseas. The band reinvented itself with a distinctly new-wave edge, performing for Filipino-American audiences and later recording their U.S. debut under Sutton Records in 2005.
Today, Prettier Than Pink stands as one of the pioneering all-female acts in Philippine pop-rock history — proving that talent, attitude, and a killer hook will always be cool ka lang.
Final line-up
Lei Bautista – lead vocals/guitar
Pamela Aquino – lead guitar
Melanie Cariker – bass
Amy Behrman – keyboards/vocals
Jasmin Guevara – drums
Former line-up
Gretchen Gregorio – keyboards
Anne Trillo – bass
Vanessa Garcia – drums
Rozylyn Torres – lead guitar
