Francis Greg -- A New Voice from Cebu
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Video: The Philippine landscape is often the setting for cover videos by Francis Greg as in this rendition of 'I Live My Life for You’, Filmed on Osmeña Peak, Cebu (Image courtesy of the artist).
Early Years
"‘Growing up in a musically inclined family I haven't had a professional vocal teacher,” he says. Most of the techniques I use are from what my father taught me or are self-taught."
Despite his initial shyness, Greg was encouraged to participate in school and community singing contests, laying the foundation for a journey that has taken him to unexpected places and provided unforeseen opportunities. “I'm nothing but grateful for that fatherly nudge,” he shares.
By the time he was in high school, he had been introduced to other musicians, many of whom became friends. Those connections led to gigs in bars and restaurants, providing not only a platform for expression, but also a means of income. He eventually joined two other musicians at 22 to form the group Stereotype, now a four-member band that continues to perform.
Video: Francis Greg’s cover of “Come What May” by Air Supply. Filmed in San Remigio, Cebu (Image courtesy of the artist).
Artistic Evolution
Today, Greg is frequently invited to perform as a solo vocalist. He carefully selects current songs that complement his tenor voice, hoping his fans will recognize and appreciate them. “I think it's worth sharing that I'm still in the process of figuring out my own signature style,” he admits.
From the perspective of his dedicated fans, Greg exhibits an exceptional talent for curating a song selection that complements his ability to forge emotional connections with both fans and new audiences.
Collaboration
Beyond his musical prowess, Greg distinguishes himself as a personable and unpretentious artist, projecting an image of self-confidence and a relaxed comportment reminiscent of a friend casually sharing his music. This approachability not only endears him to fans, but also plays a pivotal role in cultivating a devoted following. Through personal engagement with fans online and in person, he fosters a strong sense of community and intimacy, a unique quality that resonates not only with his fanbase, but also attracts other artists seeking to collaborate with him.
When artists collaborate, a fusion of ideas and skills occurs, igniting creativity and inspiration. This synergy often produces unique and meaningful art. An illustration of such collaboration is the partnership between Francis and the Canada-based duo Clint and Bob Moffatt, known as Music Travel Love.
The brothers, who have an impressive sales record for international group albums in the Philippines and Southeast Asia, happened to hear about Francis and watched an Instagram video of him singing Bruno Mars' “It Will Rain” (2021). They were impressed by his effortless and relaxed demeanor, as well as his exceptional ability to master the song. Recognizing the potential for a distinctive musical co-creation, they reached out, firmly convinced that a collaboration with Greg would give rise to a unique artistic and mutually beneficial partnership.
Greg was enthusiastic about the opportunity to work with MTL’s Clint, Bob, and also their brother Dave. Their first collaboration was a cover video of The Backstreet Boys' “Want It That Way,” which was uploaded to the Internet in August 2021. Nine tracks have been recorded to date, and all are available on various streaming services and social media platforms.
Learning the Ropes
Many of Greg’s solo and collaborative videos feature stunning scenes in remote and challenging locations, highlighting the beauty of the Philippines. One notable example is the filming of “For This I Promise You” (2022), which is also one of MTL's personal favorite collaborations with him. It was filmed in the Philippines and Mexico. The team embarked on a two-hour hike through a dense jungle to reach a secluded waterfall. Greg notes that a typhoon had just hit the Philippines a couple of months earlier, and the original path was severely damaged and impassable, so they had to pass through a “shortcut” that wasn’t short at the very least. “Even though I was younger, I think I almost died at least five times during that hike, and they were unfazed.”
Wrapping up the shoot, they packed up the equipment and headed out in darkness, turning what was already a strenuous trek in daylight into a formidable four-hour trek under a darkening evening sky.
Video: Greg and Music Travel Love perform Air Supply’s ‘All Out Of Love’, Location: Camotes Island (Image courtesy of the artist).
Francis has gained much-needed knowledge and experience in the intricacies of the music industry as he develops his own solo projects. His cover videos exhibit the MTL production values and techniques he has learned. He incorporates acoustic renditions of popular songs to maintain a raw, authentic sound with minimal audio processing. His video footage is seamless, occasionally featuring drone views to establish the location during instrumental interludes or at the conclusion of a song.
Of the many songs he now has online, his cover of “Here’s Your Perfect” by NSYNC is a memorable production for him. It was his first time doing a shoot as a solo artist. His appreciation for the complexities involved in creating a high-quality music video highlights his awareness that filming is very much a collaborative endeavor.
Video: Greg’s cover of “Home” by Michael Bublé. Filmed in Danao City, Cebu (Image courtesy of the artist).
Looking Forward
While his online music has garnered millions of viewers and fans on platforms such as TikTok, Spotify, YouTube, Apple Music, and Facebook, Greg continues to favor live performances, enjoying the intimacy that only an in-person experience can provide. He feels he can better connect with people and interact with them when he performs face-to-face. He hopes, one day, to perform and visit with his fans overseas. Meanwhile, he looks forward to participating in a Music Travel Love concert this April in Manila, which will also feature fellow musicians Mark Anthony Uy, Boguy, and Dave Moffatt.
Video: Greg’s latest acoustic cover -- “Making Love Out of Nothing at All” by Air Supply, Location: Bojo River Aloguinsan, Cebu (Image courtesy of the artist).
Gary Ferrington is an advocate for emerging artists and is a contributing writer for Oregon ArtsWatch.
