Carlos Balcells

{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2014}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Carlos Balcells | image = | caption = | image_size = | birth_name = Carlos Claparols Balcells | birth_place = Talisay, Negros Occidental, Philippines | alias = Caloy | origin = Manila, Philippines | instrument = Bass and Acoustic guitar | genre = Alternative rock | occupation = Industrial Engineer Musician Businessman Politician | years_active = 1985–1995, 1997–2003, 2016–2017 | label = | associated_acts = The Dawn Cicada Cappuccino State of the Art Stabb Azul | website = [http://www.thedawn.ph/ www.thedawn.ph] }}

'''Carlos Balcells''' is a Spanish Filipino bass guitar player, businessman and former politician, most notable for his work as the bass guitarist of Filipino rock band The Dawn.<ref>{{cite web|last=De Jesus |first=Totel V |title=Alarming Sound |website=BusinessMirror |url=http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/home/life/16339-alarming-sound.html |accessdate=2009-10-01 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20091030011459/http://businessmirror.com.ph/home/life/16339-alarming-sound.html |archivedate=October 30, 2009 }}</ref>

== Early life == Balcells grew up listening to 70s rock and classical music. As a child, he had an appreciation for low bass frequencies, which set him up to become a bass guitar player.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The BassPage |url=http://www.basspage.20m.com/botmjan.html |access-date=2025-07-16 |website=www.basspage.20m.com}}</ref>

==Career==

=== Music === Balcells got his start playing in the band Cicada alongside Caloy Balcells and Willie Revillame. They had the opportunity to back up Randy Santiago.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Inquirer |first=Philippine Daily |date=2012-03-19 |title=A brilliant tunesmith gone too soon |url=https://entertainment.inquirer.net/34049/a-brilliant-tunesmith-gone-too-soon |access-date=2025-07-16 |website=INQUIRER.net |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Esguerra |first=Tinnie P. |date=May 31, 2003 |title=Tavern on the Square: Rebirth of a legend |url=https://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2003/05/31/208218/tavern-square-rebirth-legend |access-date=2025-07-16 |website=Philstar.com}}</ref>

Balcells joined The Dawn in 1985 after bassist Clay Luna left for the United States.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Calderon |first=Ricky L. |date=May 24, 2006 |title=The Dawn: 20 years and 'getting better' |url=https://www.philstar.com/cebu-entertainment/2006/05/24/338393/dawn-20-years-and-getting-better |access-date=2025-07-16 |website=Philstar.com}}</ref> He has performed in live rock concerts and he has been a part of seven studio albums, one live album and 2 compilation albums released by the band within the 18 years that he was the bassist. The album releases include hit songs like "Enveloped Ideas", "Salamat", and "Iisang Bangka Tayo". However, in 2003, he had to quit the band since he had to go back to his province in Negros Occidental to work in their family business.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=April 7, 2017 |title=Partying 'Til Dawn: A Trip Down Memory Lane |url=https://www.pressreader.com/philippines/business-world/20170407/282346859661907?srsltid=AfmBOopulYH1hyQrjnGFSSIuaybh3xBccmx6jw_av9-xszm-A3yNk0pF |access-date=2025-07-16 |via=PressReader}}</ref> He was replaced by Mon Legaspi, bass player for Wolfgang.<ref>{{cite web | title =The Dawn: Evolution | url=http://www.thedawn.ph/profile.html | accessdate = 2009-10-01}}</ref>

On June 7, 2016, Balcells along with Francis Reyes rejoined after Buddy Zabala who left the band on the same day. Thus, making a quintet again for the first time since 2004.<ref>{{cite web |last=Sallan |first=Edwin P. |title=The Dawn bares major line-up change, brings back Francis Reyes, Carlos Balcells |url=http://www.interaksyon.com/entertainment/the-dawn-bares-major-line-up-change-brings-back-francis-reyes-carlos-balcells/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160609042603/http://www.interaksyon.com/entertainment/the-dawn-bares-major-line-up-change-brings-back-francis-reyes-carlos-balcells/ |archive-date=June 9, 2016 |accessdate=7 June 2016 |publisher=Interaksyon.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Arcega |first=Adrian |title=Francis Reyes, Carlos Balcells return to The Dawn |url=http://www.radiorepublic.ph/francis-reyes-carlos-balcells-return-to-the-dawn/ |accessdate=7 June 2016 |publisher=Radio Republic}}</ref> His return was short-lived as he was unavailable in later dates for June and July 2016. He was briefly replaced by former bassist Mon Legaspi, who would later begin touring with them months later and would eventually be the band's regular bassist due to the dissolution of Wolfgang and Balcells being mostly pre-occupied with their family businesses. He would eventually return for some anniversary shows in 2017.<ref name=":1" />

=== Politics === Balcells had a short stint as a town councilor of Talisay.<ref name=":0" />

== Personal life == Balcells is a descendant of Aniceto Lacson. In 2005, he married cancer specialist Diana Cua.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Litton |first=Johnny |date=October 23, 2005 |title=Amor! |url=https://www.philstar.com/lifestyle/allure/2005/10/23/303240/amor |access-date=2025-07-16 |website=Philstar.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Arache |first=Maurice |date=March 26, 2006 |title=Charles marries Diana |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=01M1AAAAIBAJ&dq=carlos+balcells&pg=PA68 |access-date=July 16, 2025 |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer}}</ref> She is one of the founders of Pink for Life, an organization that assists breast cancer survivors in procuring treatments.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Manlapig |first=Marga |title=Those Who Give: Philippine Tatler's 2018 Roster of Great Filipino Philanthropists |url=https://www.tatlerasia.com/power-purpose/philanthropy/those-who-give-philippine-tatler-s-2018-roster-of-great-filipino-philanthropists |access-date=2025-07-16 |website=Tatler Asia |language=en}}</ref>

==Discography== ;The Dawn *''The Dawn'' (1986) *''I Stand With You'' (1988) *''Beyond the Bend'' (1989) *''Heart's Thunder'' (1990) *''Abot Kamay'' (1992) *''Puno't Dulo'' (1994) *''Prodigal Sun'' (2000)

==References== {{Reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Balcells, Carlos}} Category:Living people Category:Filipino bass guitarists Category:Year of birth missing (living people) Category:People from Negros Occidental Category:Filipino people of Spanish descent {{authority control}}