‘My music is no longer feeding me and my family’

A musician by trade, Jon Sawac, a resident of Baguio City, used to earn money by touring around the country during music festivals, special occasions, and concerts.

On ordinary days, he, along with his band Rockstar 3, would play in bars and hotels. Everything changed when the country was hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.

One day, a Facebook post of his went viral with almost a thousand shares.

He was selling his musical instruments and musical equipment: his two Fender guitars, pedals, microphones, and amplifier – worth more than a hundred thousand pesos – in order to feed his family.

These are the very instruments which kept his body and spirit alive by doing what he loves and excels the most, making music. He has decided to part ways with his years-old partners out of necessity.

“My music is not feeding me and my family any longer nor can it pay for the bills as it used to either,” Sawac said.

Sawac is one of the many musicians who were severely affected due to the covid-19 pandemic. “It’s a total rock bottom fall. No work no pay kasi kami”, he added.

Despite him being not able to raise money through music, Sawac still maintains his positivity – hoping that the money he gets from selling his instruments would be enough for him to sustain his family, and fund his other plans to do business.

As of this writing, Sawac earns a little cash by conducting online guitar tutorial classes, and selling some of his other belongings.

He also makes YouTube videos, but does not expect to earn much from it – YouTube only grants cash to videos with a minimum of a million views.

With the cash he expects to earn by selling his beloved instruments, he plans to engage in online buy and sell, and to purchase a motorcycle for errand services.

“Mag-online selling na rin siguro ako ng mga shampoo at sabon, gawin kong model buhok ko po (I’ll start online selling shampoo and soap, I’ll model with my hair),” Sawac said jokingly.

For 5 months and counting, Sawac had not been able to play in any establishment, as this goes against physical distancing protocols set by the government.

Sawac hopes to dispose of his best friends as soon as possible, in order to fulfill his family’s needs. – Rappler.com