From canteen janitor to ‘Pinoy Dream Academy’ placer: Bugoy Drilon rediscovers his purpose
MANILA, Philippines — From singing in a cornfield, using a mop as his imaginary microphone while working as a canteen janitor in his home province of Camarines Sur, to dealing with life’s struggles, crooner Bugoy Drilon has rediscovered his sense of purpose: continuing to pursue his singing career.
Prior to joining “Pinoy Dream Academy” (PDA) in 2008, where he placed as Second Star Dreamer, Bugoy was a working student and a scholar at Universidad de Sta. Isabel.
“But my scholarship was terminated, and that paved the way for me to enter ‘PDA.’ My friends urged me to audition at a mall. They told me they heard me singing in the canteen. Sila pa nagpahiram sa akin ng pants, pamasahe para makapunta duon,” Bugoy told The STAR during the media launch of his comeback album “Anthems.”
His love for music began at a young age, he furthered. “Actually, I envisioned it when I was younger. Yung maisan na pag tinatamaan ng hangin, parang nag-swa-sway. That time hindi ko pa na-ge-gets kung ano yun, pero yun pala magiging tao sila na nakikinig sa akin kumanta. It’s really a blessing for me to be here. God has a purpose for putting me in this place.”
During his album launch, Bugoy couldn’t help but get emotional as he recalled his humble beginnings and the personal struggles he went through.
“I was lost too kaya biglang nabuo tong kantang to,” he said in tears, referring to the song Kapit, one of the tracks from his album, which he dedicated to his parents, friends and loved ones who attended the event. “I just want to send healing. There were times when I thought people had forgotten me. I really just want to represent the people from the province.”
He experienced challenges along the way, but Bugoy held on to his dreams and never gave up. “I never thought na mapapatapos ko yung mga kapatid sa pag-aaral. I asked my mother what her biggest dream was. She said, ‘Noy, I just want to have a house.’ And I gave it to my mom. God gave me blessings because I understand na babalik yun sa’yo because you’re not a failure, you’re also a success because pinalaki ako ng maayos.”
Bugoy also conveyed his heartfelt message to his father, saying, “I know the situation was not easy, but I love you because hindi babaguhin yung pinagdaanan ko kasi dun po ako natutong tumapang pa. I was alone here in Manila, nakipagsapalaran to support you, guys.”
“I just want to sing. I just want to provide for my family kasi alam ko rin naman yung pinagdaanan niyo,” he said and expressed his love for his parents and all the people who supported him since day one. He marked his 18th anniversary in the music industry this year.
“I used to hold a mop and mop the floor of the canteen, and that’s the first (stage) na na-re-relax ako ‘pag kumakanta ako,” he recalled before joining “PDA.”
“Anthems” is Bugoy’s first album release as an independent artist. He collaborated and co-wrote with 314 Studios for his record, which includes Empty House, Favorite Season, One Call Away, Habang Buhay, Oras, Pilit Pinili, Natagpuan and Lahat ng Kailangan.
The album, which reflects his personal experience, was four years in the making. He plans to stage a concert and mount a tour in the future.
“‘Anthems’ is a connection of all my emotions — fear, love, hope and pain na everyone can relate. That’s the reality na pinagdadaanan natin and I wanna send that kind of energy and power sa kanila na kahit gaano kahirap yung life, everything’s gonna be OK.”
“The ‘anthem’ of my life right now is I’m so blessed that my family is here. Nandito kayo and I found again my purpose to continue my music from my own experience,” he told this paper.
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