Enter fitterkarma, the band that made cannibalism hip on the airwaves

If you constantly scroll through Instagram or TikTok, you've most likely heard a curious ballad evoking love and the macabre. This song is Pag-Ibig ay Kanibalismo II by the band fitterkarma, a passion project launched by Joao de Leon in 2023. Like a spark that spread like wildfire, Kanibalismo II made its way from underground gig bars to the top of song charts. It enjoys over 50 million Spotify streams and was featured in multiple best-of lists from last year.

“Hindi namin in-expect ‘yung pagiging successful niya, especially given the lyrics which are very unusual na marinig sa radio hits,” Joao admitted to Young STAR.

Kanibalismo II has its origins in 2024 as part of Joao’s thesis EP for his music production degree at the College of St. Benilde. He wrote it particularly with then-bandmate Addy Pantig in mind. She’d then popularize the song, lending her voice for its official recording.

It wasn’t the first time Joao experimented with mixing dark lyricism into love songs. Before it, there was Kalapastangan, written in early 2023 and released in November that year. It can be defined as a slow and deep melodic track colored by desperate, violent yearning. It also boasts huge streaming numbers.

Sumpa, meanwhile, was written a few months before Kanibalismo II while Joao was living in the United States. It was dedicated to his girlfriend. At the time, he believed he was cursed when it came to writing love songs, in the sense that the relationships for which he wrote songs failed. Long story short, Sumpa broke the curse.

Like Kanibalismo II, Sumpa has vivid imagery of body mutilation that will make you squirm and swoon. “I was always trying to be daring in songwriting,” Joao said. He takes inspiration from J-rock’s lyricism and song construction, and Phoebe Bridgers. Regarding Bridgers, he says, “Kapag nagsusulat siya, she doesn’t care if makaka-relate ‘yung nakikinig or not, basta importanteng magkaroon ng personal touch on her songs.” Joao also pulls from other genres like rock, metal, and folk.

Aside from Joao as vocalist and lyricist, fitterkarma’s recruits comprise bassist/vocalist Sophia Miranda, drummer Sanders Bayas, and lead guitarist/backup vocalist Lory Mendoza.

They all hail from the College of St. Benilde, leaning into each other's specialties. As with most bands, collaboration is crucial. Lyrics remain only lyrics until production gives life to the words. All of them contribute their own magic during recording. Collaboration has only gotten stronger as fitterkarma kept releasing songs.

2025 wasn’t especially smooth sailing for the band. During the height of their rise, then-keyboardist, guitarist and vocalist Addy left the band, much to the surprise and dismay of fans who had grown fond of her voice in Kanibalismo II. This was shortly after then-guitarist Calvin Borja’s eviction. In a public Reddit statement, Calvin cited that it was “not a spur-of-the-moment thing; rather, it is a culmination of a lot of internal conflict throughout the years.”

Addy would then say in her Instagram story that her exit was a “really difficult decision to make.” She stated that this choice was “for the sake of how (she) wants to navigate (her) own career in this industry.” It is unclear how the two departures are connected.

All parties maintained good relations with each other, but these exits forced the band to adapt. Amusingly, Kanibalismo II became a mangled specimen itself when guest members tried to fill in and give their own rendition of the song. This is a tale built to be told as legend later on.