Meet The Zaints: Filipino teen band from Fujairah makes waves across UAE

The Zaints teen band in Fujairah, UAE. SUPPLIED

They’re cool, they’re talented, and they’re literally family. Meet The Zaints—a proudly Filipino teen band based in Fujairah—who are taking the UAE’s youth music scene by storm, one rocking performance at a time. With members as young as 11 and as confident as seasoned performers, this rising crew is proving that you don’t have to be an adult to own the stage. In fact, they’re already turning heads—winning the Sahara Kids Icon Grand Prize for Special Talent and landing guest spots on Gold 101.3 FM and the Kalayaan 2025 stage. In an Expat Media exclusive, we caught up with The Zaints to talk about music, family vibes, and what’s next for this dynamic squad.

Who’s who in The Zaints?

From electrifying guitar solos to powerhouse vocals and fun off-stage banter, every member brings something special to the table. There's Kiel, 13, the cool-headed lead guitarist whose riffs anchor the band, and Josh, 17, the steady rhythm guitarist and chill kuya of the group. There's also Chloe, 14, the fearless drummer who keeps everyone in sync, and Chloe Anne, 11, the youngest member, bringing pure joy to the mic. Sophia, 16, Chloe’s older sister, is the band’s talented bassist. Cristelle, 16, is the group's soulful lead vocalist with a voice beyond her years. Sam, 13, is the soft-spoken keyboardist with serious skills. Finally, siblings Jairah, 15, and Markus, 13, with Jairah bringing power vocals and heart to every performance, and Markus bringing  playful energy and vocals to the group. “We’re a tight-knit crew of passionate young musicians who learned and grew together through jam sessions, live performances, and a lot of support from our band mentor and family,” they told Expat Media. So where did “The Zaints” come from? “The band was started by our mentor, Ian Zamora Santos—he’s also Kiel’s dad,” they revealed. “The name doesn’t stand for something specific, but it just felt right for us. Plus, it sounds cool!” And here’s the twist: The Zaints are actually siblings and cousins in real life! From their vocalists to instrumentalists—and even their behind-the-scenes tech support—the group runs on family energy. “It’s like performing with your best friends every single time,” they said. Their biggest moment yet? Winning the Sahara Kids Icon Grand Prize for Special Talent at Sahara Centre in Sharjah last May—a huge milestone for the band that left them, and their fans, speechless. “That was our crowning glory,” they recalled. “We couldn’t believe it!” They also rocked live performances on Gold 101.3 FM and played to thousands during Kalayaan 2025 in Dubai, one of the biggest Filipino events in the UAE. But for The Zaints, this is just the beginning. They’ve got big dreams, more songs to cover, original tracks to write, and a growing fanbase ready to sing along. “We just want to keep sharing our music and inspire other young musicians like us,” they said. So whether you’re into old-school rock, pop hits, or just love good vibes and great music, keep your ears open—The Zaints are tuning up for something big. PIA/Expat Media

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