Band frontman behind Manila Bay trash viral video

MANILA, Philippines — If only he was playing one of his band’s recorded compositions while traversing the garbage-filled Roxas Boulevard that unforgettably rainy Saturday, their act might have ended up as original background music to a viral video picked up by various media outlets and shared and viewed by so many. 

Owen Formento, frontman of indie electronica group Beat Per Machine, inadvertently created an interesting video clip that captured the spilled-over trash coming from Manila Bay and into the pathway of bewildered motorists driving along the famed boulevard. As of this writing, the one-minute long eye-grabber has more than a thousand shares and nearly a hundred thousand views. 

“I was alone in my car at that time. I think a lot of people got to relate with my hashtag ‘basuranyobabalikdinsainyo (Trash improperly disposed will haunt you back),’” said the self-styled songwriting musician. 

He was on his way to work last Aug. 11 at around 9 a.m. when he decided to document using his smartphone what he was witnessing in UN Ave., Manila. 

Perhaps his organic reaction to what was happening made it more connecting to a lot of viewers, Owen can be heard telling himself in controlled, utter dismay, “Kalat ang mga basura. Grabe naman ‘to.”

While he himself was shocked of what he saw that morning, his use of digital gadget to freeze a visually affecting scene is in no way surprising. As a recording artist and live performer, he makes thorough use of things digital, so do his bandmates.   

Small wonder Beat Per Machine is into electronica, as its five-track Better Than Machine EP, released this year in digital format by online distributor Ditto, showcases unapologetically. In the lead song Isang Umaga, listeners can hear Owen’s voice melodically advancing amidst the bombardment of ambient, looped sounds — meditative to a certain extent. A music video for the song featuring panoramic sceneries, or something opposite of the dirty highway Owen made viral, is in the works. 

Talking to a pool of music critics, he pondered, “In our digital age now, it’s easy to make music because of technology. Our music is a combination of the basic and what machines can provide.”

It’s an understatement to say Owen and his gang are into digital lifestyle. He related, “Digital technology made it possible for musicians to record without the financial support of a label. Additionally, it allows for a cheaper studio time where musicians can make recordings. The whole process is shortened for a week or even days.”

He added, “Digital platforms such as Spotify, iTunes, Apple Music, YouTube, etc. have allowed musicians to access a receptive audience of potential fans without the heavy cost of manufacturing and distribution.”

As for the band’s name, the corporate executive-by-day and electric rocker-by-night noted that Beats Per Minute measures beats in producing and mixing music. Theirs have different beats and uses a lot of machines and gadgets, hence the tweaking to Beat Per Machine.

The group leader is backed by drummer Mark Angelo Burce Manago, synth player Marion Claudio and lead guitarist Layne Harrison. 

The band performed last Aug. 25 at Handle Bar, Makati.