Novela’s Dubai Global Village debut is set for January 19, 2026. SUPPLIED

A rising Filipino teen band based in the UAE is set to make history in Dubai. Novela, a fast-emerging Filipino teen band, will become the first Filipino teen band to perform on the Main Stage of Global Village, one of Dubai’s most popular cultural entertainment destinations. The landmark performance will take place on Monday (January 19), with Novela scheduled to take the stage at 8:40pm. Known for their high-energy performances and modern pop-rock sound, Novela represents a new wave of Filipino youth talent gaining recognition beyond borders. Their Global Village debut marks a major milestone not only for the band, but also for Filipino representation on one of the region’s most prominent global platforms. The band heads into the performance with strong momentum, having recently served as the front act for the Elias J.TV Band concert in Abu Dhabi. The show further cemented their reputation as one of the UAE’s most promising young live acts. Despite being only two years into their journey as a teen band in the UAE, Novela has already built an impressive list of achievements. In 2024, the group emerged as champions of the BurJuman Battle of the Bands, a competitive event that highlighted their musical precision and stage presence. They also claimed the top prize at Dubai Rock Revolution: Eraserheads Edition, held during the Shukran Festival organised by Infinite Communities, Love Josie and The Filipino Channel, where their tribute performance stood out for both musicality and crowd engagement. For their Global Village Main Stage appearance, Novela will perform as a compressed six-piece lineup, featuring the band’s current core members: Carylle Velasco on lead vocals, Reyze Simoune Cedric Mutuc as co-lead vocalist, Rauve Maximus Pajanonot on lead guitar, Jason Gabrielle Tan on bass and synth, Mark Anthony Sev Crescini on drums, and Jacynn Adrian Uy on keyboards. At the helm of the group is Jason, the band’s leader and rhythm guitarist. In a previous interview with Expat Media, he shared the story behind the band’s name. “The name Novela comes from Nova chips,” he said. “Our original bassist, Kristoffer, came up with it, and it evolved into Novela, which means ‘novel’ in Filipino. Like a novel, we have a story to tell—and everything in Novela has a story behind it.” The journey has not been easy for the young musicians, who continue to balance academics with their growing music careers. Rauve explained that discipline and teamwork were key to their success. The band practised individually every day and even held a week-long band camp in the studio to prepare for competitions and major performances. Beyond live shows, Novela has also taken a major step in their artistic growth by releasing original music. Their songs are now available on Spotify, Apple Music, and all major streaming platforms, allowing fans in the UAE and beyond to follow their journey. Looking ahead, the band hopes their story will inspire other young musicians. “We hope to inspire other young artists to pursue their dreams and work hard for what they love,” Jason said. CAM/Expat Media
Kids and teens, My UAE Story is where you can share your real stories—what it's like growing up in the UAE, your big dreams, small wins, favorite places, proud moments, or even your funniest memories! Got a story to share? Email us on editorial@expatmedia.net or DM us on our socials
For all the latest news from the UAE and the world, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and subscribe to our YouTube page