A picture of Bryan Dexter Enriquez onboard the Wish 107.5 Bus was posted weeks earlier on the Mendira Facebook page, and gained positive reactions. He is also a familiar face on YouTube with his channel called ‘Mestizong Hilaw TV’.
This young music artist from Pasig City certainly knows how to dream big. “I was dreaming of performing sa mga big platforms like Wish Bus and Showtime when I started learning to play the guitar”, says Bryan.
“I started from nothing. Then naging part ako ng iba’t-ibang bands. Hindi ako mabilis natuto kasi halos ang mga tao sa surroundings ko ay iba ang hilig.”
Bryan started performing in 2013 at small events near his school. “No pay ‘yun. Ang gusto lang namin ay tumugtog at mag-improve sa instruments na hawak namin.”
In 2015, Bryan and his friends formed a band and started doing gigs. “Na-try din namin maging session band. Nagkachance din tumugtog sa DZME Radio. Pero after a few months ay bumigay yung banda dahil halos lahat kami ay nag-aaral pa. Nahirapan kami isabay ang gigs at school. Sa byahe pa lang kasi taga Pasig kami at ang mga gigs ay sa Malate at Quezon City. Plus nagko-commute lang kami. Dala-dala namin yung mga intruments namin sa byahe, nakikisiksik sa mga tao sa jeep, LRT at bus.”
From 2016 to 2018, Bryan channeled his attention to strengthening his spirituality. “Though nagdisband na kami, I never stopped playing the guitar. Ginamit ko yung skills ko sa Church para tumutugtog. Para i-praise and i-glorify si Lord. Which for me is the best gig na matatawag kasi once na tumugtog ka sa Church ay magiging selfless ka. Unlike sa ordinary gigs, may times na gusto rin natin mapansin ng tao, diba? So, tinuloy ko naging part ng Praise & Worship Team.”
Blessing poured in 2019. “I received a message from Mr. Noel, the founding member of The Anwind Band. Isa ito sa mga banda sa Pasig City. Nagset kami ng schedule for audition at nakapasok ako sa band nila.”
Accordingly, The Anwind band originally started in 2004. From 2008-2009 they were signed by Dyna Music label and were included in two volumes of Tunog Kalye’s Bagong Tunog, Bagong Banda compilation albums. This is in partnership with 103.5 MAX FM.
“Nakakatuwa kasi ang masasabi ko sa bandang The Anwind ay ‘pambihira yung passion’ nila. Ang vocalist namin is from Sta. Mesa pa pero hindi napapagod sa pagbyahe sa Pasig para sa rehearsals namin. Minsan ay siya pa ang nauuna sa amin.”
Through his journey, he learned valuable lessons. “Narealize ko na isa sa mahalagang bagay ay ‘discipline’. More than sa skills na mayroon tayo.”
After months of rehearsals, their band started receiving invitations. “Maraming gigs na sinasalangan. May paid gigs pero mas marami yung unpaid gigs. Pero tuloy-tuloy lang kami.”
In November 2019, his dreams were fulfilled. “Nakatugtog kami sa Wish 107.5, hindi ako makapaniwala kasi dati pangarap ko lang ‘yon. Kaya ganoon ko bina-value yung pagsalang namin sa Wish Bus. Then sumunod sa Showtime Online Universe at iba pang gigs.”
Bryan has this advice to fellow music artists. “Dream until your dreams come true. There is a time for everything. Time na mapapagod ka at time na liliyab ang puso mo. Pero whatever happens, don’t stop. Just keep moving towards your goal and passion.”
And his message to Mendira Media: “A big thank you Medira family for featuring me on your website. Malaking bagay ito para sa akin.”
This young music artist has much faith and knows that the Lord is in control. Today, Bryan balances his career in the banking industry by day and a musician after work. And as he always say – “God made everything beautiful in His time.”
