Musings on music and physical media with 'Recto Records' director Jego Rafael
Musings on music and physical media with 'Recto Records' director Jego Rafael
Feature art by Abigail Manaluz
I bet 90% of people nowadays only listen to music on their phones. Obviously, I just made that statistic up. But the point is, the digital age is forcing everyone to switch to wireless earphones and Netflix subscriptions, because who needs physical albums or DVDs and Blu-rays when you can have all of these in your pocket? It’s just simple mathematics when the KonMari method dictates that these objects only take up space in your room.
Thank God we’re Filipinos, though, and most of us are obsessed with keeping everything and anything even if they don’t spark that much joy anymore. I still have my old books and notebooks from high school, ones that I scribbled on whenever I got bored during discussions. Photo booth pictures from birthday parties, family gatherings, and other events. And of course, my own Criterion Closet of films from different distributions.
In the midst of minimalism and technology taking over everything, Mang Greg continues to set up shop each day in Recto, surrounded by his physical albums ranging from The Beatles’ Abbey Road to Avril Lavigne’s The Best Damn Thing. While we’re busy filling our playlists with our personalities, Mang Greg listens to his music through a CD player, waiting for a customer to visit his store. And he does that every single day, dedicating his life to his passion for music.
However mundane that sounds, Jego Rafael saw the beauty in that simple joy in life, going further by making a documentary of Mang Greg and his shop in Recto Records. Juggling his academic responsibilities as a 22-year-old Communication student at the Far Eastern University in Manila was really hard, and making this film was his break from all of that. Rafael’s favorite genre is slice-of-life, and he sure does give us a hearty meal in this submission to the TAM DokyuFest as we get to know more about Mang Greg.
In this article, I talked to him about Recto Records, his inspirations behind his directorial debut, his experience with Mang Greg, and what he has to say regarding music and physical media.
This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity. An English translation for Taglish answers is also provided below, italicized in a dark-blue text color.
I saw that your film’s listed already on Letterboxd, is this actually your first film?
Siguro yes, I consider this as my first, “formal” film, dahil nag-direct na rin ako ng ibang output pero sa school lang iyon ni-release. Usually kasi writer lang ako tulad nung sinulat naming, As Long As You Were Here at Baka Bukas.
I consider this as my first, “formal” film because I’ve directed other outputs already but they were only released in school. Usually, I’m the writer, such as in the films As Long As You Were Here and Baka Bukas.
So how did it feel directing your first film?
To me kasi hindi lang ito ‘yung first film na idi-direct ko eh, first documentary experience ko rin, at kahit hindi magkalayo eh medyo may pagkakaiba din iyon sa film. Sobrang nakakakaba, first time na walang narrative, documentary lang talaga. Sobrang fulfilling din kasi parang may power ako sa production at ang saya din na may say ako sa lahat ng bagay.
For me, it’s not just that it’s the first film I’m going to direct, it’s also my first experience directing a documentary, and although they’re not that different, they’re not entirely the same as well. It’s nerve-wracking because there’s no narrative, it’s just pure documentary. On the other hand, it’s also fulfilling because it seems like I had power in the production and a say in all things.
Can you tell me more about the background behind your documentary?
At first kasi, required lang talaga siya sa Documentary Production namin which is isa sa mga course ko ngayong sem. Dito ko naipalabas ‘yung love ko for physical media. Three days ‘yung shoot namin nung first week of April pero I started visiting Mang Greg nung late February pa. Naging pahinga ko ‘yung Recto Records mula sa ibang responsibility ko sa school gaya ng thesis.
At first, it was just a requirement for my Documentary Production course this semester. I made it an outlet for my love for physical media. We shot the film for three days back in April, but I started visiting Mang Greg as early as late February. Recto Records became my rest away from all my other responsibilities in school such as my thesis.
What are your inspirations in making the film?
Nagsimula siya sa passion ko for physical media. Nanggaling din siya sa fact na nagsasarahan na ‘yung mga CD stores na kinalakihan ko tulad ng Astroplus, Odyssey, ganyan. Nagco-collect talaga kasi ako ng mga CDs and DVDs eh, parang “anik-anik girlie.” Pero nakuha ko rin ‘yung inspiration sa pelikulang EKONARCISSUS ni Myzqah Siriban na parte ng Piyu I Love You film fest ng org namin (FEU Film Society). ‘Yung location doon ay ‘yung store ni Mang Greg, so naalala ko agad ‘yung post ni Malaya, and the rest is history.
It started with my passion for physical media. It also came from the fact that all the CD stores I frequented in before were all closing, such as Astroplus and Odyssey. I actually collect CDs and DVDs. I also got inspired by Myzqah Siriban’s EKONARCISSUS which was part of the Piyu I Love You film fest of our organization (FEU Film Society). They shot the film at Mang Greg’s store, so I immediately remembered Malaya’s post, and the rest is history.
How about your inspirations on the film’s cozy atmosphere?
Gusto Kita With All My Hypothalamus. Una pa lang, sinabi ko na sa production team namin na gusto kong gawan sana iyon ng homage dahil ‘yung film na iyon ay sa Recto rin, sa Avenida, at sa buong Quiapo. Parang ang saya lang na same ‘yung location. Favorite ko kasi talaga ‘yung pelikula and gusto ko, somehow, maipakita ‘yun sa dokyu.
Gusto Kita With All My Hypothalamus. I told my production team first thing that I would like to give an homage to the film because it was also set in Recto, Avenida, and Quiapo. It just makes me happy that we had the same location. That film is really my favorite and I wanted to, somehow, show that in the documentary.
Mang Greg in Recto Records / Taken from Jego Rafael’s X page
I would like to know how you’d describe Mang Greg in your own words.
Siguro tatay… tatay?! Nung una ko kasing meet kay Mang Greg, nahihiya pa akong mag-approach at siya talaga ‘yung kumakausap sa akin na, “Bili ka, pili ka dito, guluhin mo na ‘yung mga CD diyan ako na bahala.” Ang saya lang sa puso makita si Mang Greg kasi ang saya nya lang palagi, parang walang masamang tinapay sa kanya. Marami ding nagsabi sa akin na same kami ng experience kay Mang Greg dahil gano’n talaga siya kabait, at napalapit na rin siya sa akin. Feel ko, hindi ko na siya papabayaan, na kahit tapos na kami sa dokyu ay magco-continue pa rin ‘yung love ko sa shop nya.
I’d say father… father?! The first time I met Mang Greg, I was too shy to approach him and he was the one to actually start a conversation with me, “Go on and buy, choose anything you want, I’ll be the one to fix the CDs after.” It fills my heart with joy whenever I see Mang Greg because he’s just so happy and he embodies everything that is good in this world. A lot of people also approached me and said that they had the same experience with Mang Greg because he is that kind, and I hold him closer to my heart now. I feel like I will always be there for him, and even after we’re done promoting the documentary, I’ll still continue to support his store.
What was Mang Greg’s reaction when you told him about this project?
Nung second visit ko, doon ko pa lang sinabi na gagawa kami ng dokyu tungkol sa store nya. Sabi ni Mang Greg, “Basta umaga.” Sure enough, pinagbigyan nya naman kami at pabalik-balik na kami doon. Thankfully hindi naman siya nabwisit sa amin at ginugulo namin siya, kasi mas gusto nya raw ‘yun, na kahit pa hindi na kami bumili basta may tao sa store nya. Sobrang inviting lang ni Mang Greg.
It was actually during my second visit when I told him about it. Mang Greg said, “Just make sure to do it in the morning.” Sure enough, he allowed us to film and we were going back and forth in his store. Thankfully, he never got tired of us invading his place, because he said that he likes it when there are people in his shop even if they don’t purchase anything. Mang Greg is just so inviting.
Recently, you posted on X that you had shown the film to Mang Greg already. What was his reaction then?
Nung una, akala nya mayroon akong dalang CD. Tuwang tuwa siya nung nanonood kahit sobrang ingay sa paligid nya. May part kasi doon na kumakanta siya ‘di ba, natutuwa siya. May mga part din na napapaluha siya. Nakakataba lang sa puso na tutok talaga siya nung pinapanood ko sa kanya. Sobrang saya ko na nagustuhan nya, and I think ayun lang ‘yung hinahanap kong validation sa film.
At first, he thought I brought a CD. He was so happy to watch the documentary even if his surroundings were a bit noisy. There’s a part in the film where he sings and that makes him happy. There are also parts where he gets teary-eyed. It’s heartwarming to see him really watch and pay attention to the documentary. I was so happy to know that he loved it, and I think that’s the only validation I was looking for in making this film.
He thought you brought a CD? That’s actually cute and funny!
True! Sinisikap talaga namin na maipa-burn ‘yung pelikula sa CD, pero hindi ko sure kung saan o mayro’n pang gumagawa no’n. Pero sisikapin namin.
True! We really hope to have the film on CD, but I don’t know where to go or who to ask. But we’ll definitely try.
I think Mang Greg has a lot of stories to tell, do you recall an anecdote from him that you would like to share?
May isang scene na hindi nasama sa pelikula, ito ‘yung kinuwento nya kung paano nagsimula ang pagmamahal nya sa music at sa pagbebenta ng CDs. Sabi nya, appliances store talaga siya nagsimula na minana nya sa kanyang ama. Nung nawala ‘yung papa nya, nagbenta na rin siya ng CDs doon sa store, hanggang sa iyun na lang binebenta nya. Mayro’n ding isa pang deleted scene kung saan pina-try namin sa kanya ang Spotify for the first time, pero pagkatapos ay mas gusto nya pa rin daw ang physical CDs kasi mas dama at mas naa-appreciate ‘yung music.
There’s a scene that didn’t make a cut, where he shares how his love for music started as well as him selling CDs. He said that the store was actually his father’s and they used to sell appliances. When his father passed away, he decided to also sell CDs in the store until CDs took up the whole place. There’s also another deleted scene where we let him try using Spotify for the first time. Afterward, he said that he still prefers physical CDs because you get to feel and appreciate the music more.
The documentary gives us a glimpse into Mang Greg’s life, but I would like to know more about you as well. So in making this film, what did you discover about yourself?
Mas naging malapit ako sa passion ko when it comes to making art. Na-realize ko na iba-iba pala ‘yung pagkakakilala mo sa passion mo. ‘Yung passion kasi ay hindi lang sa paggawa ng art, sa pag-appreciate din gaya ni Mang Greg. Ako kasi, sabi ko nga sa Instagram ko, isa talaga akong frustrated popstar. Gusto ko rin talaga mag-music, pero sa tingin ko wala naman akong talent dito pero may passion ako, kaya sa appreciation ko na lang nilalabas ‘yung passion ko for music. Na-realize ko na ‘yung pag-appreciate ng art is enough, at hindi mo kailangan gawin lahat.
I became more in touch with my passion for making art. I realized that we have different ways to define our passion. I think passion doesn’t end in making art, it’s also seen in appreciating it like Mang Greg. Personally, like what I said on my Instagram, I am a frustrated popstar. I really want to pursue music, though I don’t think I have a talent for that but I do have a passion. It is in appreciation that I show my passion for music. I realized that appreciating art is enough, and you don’t have to be able to do everything.
So can you say you’re like Mang Greg in some ways?
Ang common denominator talaga namin ay mahilig kami sa physical media. Sabi rin ni Mang Greg ay passion nya ang music, pero since matanda na raw siya at feeling nya hindi nya na kayang kumanta, pumunta na lang siya sa pagbebenta ng music. And I think ganoon din ako sa passion ko for art, na kahit madaming limitations ay gagawan ko pa rin ng paraan para maipakita ‘yung passion ko, just like Mang Greg.
Our common denominator really is that we both like physical media. Mang Greg also said that his passion is music, but since he feels he’s too old to sing, he decided to just sell music. And I think that’s also how I am with my passion for art, that despite many limitations, I will still find a way to show my passion, just like Mang Greg.
I have to ask, for a film that talks a lot about music, who are your favorite artists?
I listen to Katy Perry, Taylor Swift, and more, very “main pop girlie” talaga ako.
I listen to Katy Perry, Taylor Swift, and more, I’m very much a “main pop girlie” myself.
How about the “oldies,” as Mang Greg put it, do you have any favorites?
Sa teaser namin, ‘yung kinanta ni Mang Greg doon. “The End of The World” ni Skeeter Davis. Isa kasi ‘yun sa mga favorite old songs ko at paborito din pala ni Mang Greg ‘yun kaya ni-request ko na kantahin nya para sa pelikula.
In our teaser, what Mang Greg sang there. “The End of The World” by Skeeter Davis. It’s one of my favorite old songs and I discovered that it’s one of Mang Greg’s favorites as well which is why I requested that he sing it for the film.
Do you have an idea why some people collect? I personally collect Blu-rays and DVDs and have an answer for this, but I wanna hear it from you.
Sabi nga ni Mang Greg, mas masaya kapag nahahawakan mo ‘yung pelikula, ‘yung music mo. Ganoon din ako, I like my music tangible and owned. Ayun kasi ‘yung hindi mabibigay ng digital streaming, eh. Hindi mo mahahawakan, kumpara sa physical na album, lalo na ngayon na may mga gimmick pa ‘yung ibang artist. Iba ‘yung feeling kapag hawak mo, kapag nakikita mo siya mismo. Gusto ko rin na kapag binili mo ‘yung album, pagmamay-ari mo na ‘yun eh. Unlike sa digital streaming na magsu-subscribe ka lang for an amount of time pero parang may deadline ‘yung particular film or song na gusto mo sa library mo.
As Mang Greg said, it makes one happier to be able to touch the film, the music. That’s also my opinion, I like my music tangible and owned. That’s what digital streaming can’t give. You can’t touch it, unlike physical albums, especially nowadays where artists have these gimmicks to the packaging. It’s a different feeling when you have it in your hand, when you can see it in front of you. I also like how when you buy it, you actually own it. Unlike in digital streaming where you can subscribe for an amount of time but there’s like a deadline to the particular film or song in your library.
Why do you think it’s important that we continue collecting physical media in the digital age?
Actually, same answer lang din sa last part ng film. Bukod sa hobby o collection, unintentionally ay parang nagpe-preserve na rin tayo ng isang kultura na recorded, physical, and owned mo. Hindi mo lang naiisip na importante siya, pero over the years ay mas maa-appreciate mo siya dahil mayro’n kang bagay na gawa during its time.
Actually, it’s the same answer as what I said in the last part of the film. Aside from being a hobby or just a collection, we unintentionally preserve a culture that is recorded, physical, and something that we own. We just don’t see it as important now, but over the years, we get to appreciate it more because we have something that was made from a different point in time.
Lastly, at SINEGANG.ph we ask filmmakers to share their TAPSILOG movies: tapa = your favorite movie, sinangag = your comfort movie, and itlog = a movie recommendation.
(Tapa) ‘Yung favorite film ko ay The Truman Show ni Peter Weir. (Sinangag) ‘Yung comfort movie ko—kakasabi ko lang kanina—Gusto Kita With All My Hypothalamus ni Dwein Baltazar. (Itlog) Tapos sa recommended film, feeling ko Recto Records. I think good recommendation ‘yun.
(Tapa) My favorite film is Peter Weir’s The Truman Show. (Sinangag) My comfort movie is—I just mentioned this earlier—Gusto Kita With All My Hypothalamus by Dwein Baltazar. (Itlog) Then for the recommended film, I feel like Recto Records. I think that’s a good recommendation.
You can stream Recto Records at Cinemata as part of this year’s TAM DokyuFest only until May 14.
