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Back in the day (we’re talking 2002), I genuinely thought I was that guy. I’d just discovered that DJing required two CDJs and a mixer—not just one lonely deck—and yet there I was, already telling anyone who’d listen that I was a DJ. Truth is, I didn’t have the faintest clue how to transition tracks or what “BPM” even stood for.

By 2005, I’d made the move to the Philippines. The attention? Addictive. Gave me a confidence boost I probably didn’t need, but it was a rush. I was dropping basslines like mic drops, whipping up chaos on the dancefloor, flying all over Asia for gigs. But it wasn’t all glitz—I’d be flying in, smashing the set, then dashing back out again to juggle a proper day job. Felt invincible. Spoiler alert: I wasn’t.

I was walking around like I’d invented music itself. Cocky? Probably. Out of control? Absolutely. The DJ lifestyle catches up with you fast. Luckily, I had solid mentors—Erwin Edralin, Reo, Patch, and Manster (and his magical twiddly fingers on the mixer knobs)—who kept me somewhat tethered during my resident DJ stint at HeyJude in Boracay from 2005 to 2010.

Then came the moment when it all came crashing down—feet off the ground, head in the clouds, ego inflating like a hot-air balloon. When the rhetorical shit hit the fan, Erwin sat me down and gave me the talk. You know the kind—the one that sticks with you for life. I sank like the Titanic. Lesson learned the hard way. Ego: 1. Me: 0.

Two decades on (yes, that’s 20+ years for those playing catch-up), I’ve earned the stripes. Some call me an OG, though I prefer “still learning.” This game has humbled me. Big time.

These days, I see DJing for what it truly is—an art form that boasts complete mastery of instinct, timing, and yeah… serious rhythm. One that slices through wanting to get laid, mainstream culture, and the sneaky ego. Sure, technique matters (and I’ve got a fair bit of that now), but it’s more than that. It’s about letting moments breathe, lighting fires when the time’s right, and knowing when to shut up and let the music do the talking.

I’m grateful I became a DJ before it was trendy to call yourself one on Instagram. DJing is storytelling: every track’s a journey, every mix a mood shift. That moment when two tracks melt into each other and no one even notices? That’s the magic. I don’t just play songs—I try to guide energy, read the room, and create a space where people can lose themselves (and maybe, just maybe, find something better).

Vibe check:The British sarcasm’s still sharp. The Filipino warmth keeps me grounded. And that fiery Spanish streak—thanks to eight years growing up in the south of Spain—adds a bit of flair to the mix with its song selection.

I’m pushing forward now we’re in 2025—more connections, more growth, transitions to practice, more stages around the world. But the goal now? Not just to be seen, but to make people feel something. And remember it.

Not here to impress. Still experimenting, still messing about with sound, especially genre jumping. You might love it, you might not. Either way, I’m curious to see where my unique  music and mixing style takes me… you coming along for the ride?


– SURFY (UK)

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