Inside TBCPH’s partnership with DOTr-MRT3 and how live performances turned holiday stress into festive joy.
If you’re a daily MRT commuter, the holiday season was probably a drag, with long lines and heavier crowds than usual. But when December rolled in, riders were met with an unexpected surprise. It wasn’t just the familiar hum of trains or the chatter of fellow passengers. At select MRT stations, commuters were also greeted by the sound of powerful OPM ballads and Christmas carols, performed live with acoustic guitars.
Yes, you’ve seen them, and maybe even walked right past them: buskers serenading commuters at some of the MRT’s busiest stations, such as Araneta-Cubao, Guadalupe, and Ayala.
Whether they perform to share their passion for music or to earn a living, there’s no denying that these buskers bring a sense of calm and joy to commuters, offering a brief musical pause amid a long day of stress and challenges.
This initiative that allowed street performance to merge with the transportation scene was made possible through The Busking Community Philippines’ (TBCPH) partnership with the Department of Transportation – MRT-3 (DOTr – MRT3).
Inside the collaboration
According to DOTr-MRT3’s communication officer, Kath Dominguez, their partnership with TBCPH is part of the office’s initiative to exhibit Filipino talent while providing daily commuters with a fun, light, and festive experience during the Christmas season.
While these performances may seem simple to commuters, the time and effort TBCPH members put into singing at MRT stations bring them closer to achieving their goals.
Martin Riggs, founder of TBCPH, shared that his overall vision for the community is to showcase busking as not just a display of vocal and acoustic talent but as an accepted career path and source of income.
However, Riggs emphasized that the community continues to face challenges, one of the biggest being persistent stereotypes.
“I guess the stereotypes will always be the biggest and unmovable challenge of buskers.” said Riggs, “I urge the public to stop, look and listen to a busker. Sometimes, there’s a story between the lines of a busker’s performance that you might need to hear.”
Despite these challenges, the founder remains optimistic and continues to do his best to advocate for the true value of busking.
“We have plans to visit different places around the country to introduce and hone potential buskers, and to build a system that supports them,” Riggs shared, reinforcing his long-term vision for the community.
Harmonies of hope
During one of radar Entertainment’s daily commutes, the team came across two buskers at the packed and hectic Araneta-Cubao station.
One of them is Lorenzo “Enzo” Arengo, who has been busking for nearly two years. He previously worked as an IT specialist but resigned due to personal reasons.
For Enzo, the partnership between TBCPH and MRT-3 positively contributed in providing a platform not just for him, but for the whole community to perform and be invited in even larger-scale shows and events.
“Sobrang madaming opportunity ang dumating noong nagstart kaming mag busking sa MRT. Maraming mga kumukuhang events,” highlighted Enzo, “Nakuha kami ng ‘It’s Showtime’ for their segment na ‘Laro-Laro Pick.’ Sobrang overwhelming since hindi naman namin ineexpect na, through our music and through our performances, marami siyang marereach na tao in certain places na hindi namin inaakalang makukuha pa.”
Initially starting out just for the joy of it, Enzo’s main goal for busking has now shifted toward financial support for the person who inspired him in music: his mother.
“Ang main goal ko talaga is makapag-ipon for the operation of my mother na may myoma,” shared Enzo, honoring his busking sessions for his sick mother. “Previously, for fun lang and for entertainment lang, but as time passes, hindi naman natin masasabi kung anong mangyayari sa mga mahal natin sa buhay.”
Over time, Enzo learned that his best reward as a busker is spreading happiness to people even if it’s just for a small amount of time.
“Pag may mga tumitigil sa’yo na maraming tao, biggest achievement na ‘yon, lalo na ‘pag may nagko-complement sa’yo nang, ‘Kuya, ang galing mo! Kuya, ang ganda ng boses mo. Kuya, ang ganda ng music mo.’ Araw-araw iba’t iba ang mga nae-experience mo.” shared the musician.
A youthful of dreams
Another busker in the lineup is Al Jessie “AJ” Almonte, a student from the Philippine Normal University who began his musical journey at his local church in 2024. It was during a concert, however, that his passion for entering the world of busking was ignited.
AJ pointed out that performing at MRT stations was game-changing, as it helped boost his visibility and following. Unlike malls and other venues, MRT stations draw large numbers of daily commuters, giving him a much bigger audience to share his craft.
“Ang laking help niya lalo na din sa mga commuters,” said AJ, “Just giving them a little bit of music helps them. Siguro nakakalma ‘yong isip nila, ‘yong mga anxious minds nila–lalo na in the morning kapag papasok sila.”
Like many buskers, AJ’s goal is to earn additional income to support his education and help his retired parents. But he isn’t content with staying in the busking scene alone—he dreams of becoming a successful musician.
“I really aspire to become a musician na tumutugtog sa bigger stages. Pero alam ko kasi hindi pa siya attainable, so busking became my outlet. My mini-stage na nasha-share ko ‘yong music ko,” he emphasized.
Recently, AJ released his first-ever single on Spotify titled “Basta (Ako’y Sayo),” slowly but surely moving closer to his dream.
Aside from the tips he receives during his busking sessions, AJ said his biggest reward is seeing people smile and appreciate his music. Even when commuters simply stop, record him, or mention him in their stories, it’s already a win for the busker.
“Nakakatanggap ako ng drawings and mga letters. one time meron pa doon na sobrang nakakaiyak na sinabi niya kasi I never experienced those kinds of things before.” added AJ stating that these moments inspire him to keep on continuing his passion for music.
Gratitudes and pieces of advice
The two buskers ended by sharing heartfelt messages with those following their journey.
For Enzo, gratitude for his supporters comes naturally. Even the random commuters who stop and interact with him are enough to keep him going, helping him push through the exhaustion and continue pursuing music.
“Marami-marami salamat, kasi kung wala kayo, hindi kami makapagpa-patuloy. Sobrang thankful na kami, since alam namin na sa music namin may mga naabot na feelings sa ibang tao. Merong times na may ma-eexperience talaga kami na interaction with other people na sobrang nakakabigay ng kasiyahan sa amin. Yun ang mga nagbibigay sa amin ng drive para mag-perform,” expressed Enzo.
AJ, on the other hand, shares a piece of advice for those who want to follow in his footsteps and for those aiming to build their path towards music.
“Huwag kayong matatakot na mag-risk kasi music is something na dapat ine-enjoy. ‘Yong passion and love for the music, or love for the craft will, fuel you more para mag-practice pa, para gumaling pa. Tuloy n’yo lang kahit mahirap, kahit masakit, kahit may nararamdaman kayo. Just the fact that you show up is a really meaningful thing, not just for you but for other people as well.” shared AJ.
The partnership between TBCPH and the MRT ended in December, but it brought a month of genuine joy for everyone. Buskers were given a wider platform and more opportunities, while commuters enjoyed a brief musical escape amid the holiday season’s stress. Short-lived, but impactful.
Looking ahead to the new year, Riggs shared a glimpse of the community’s next plans.
“The next major milestone for TBCPH will be announced in 2026. We plan to take the ‘Mula sa Kalsada, Para sa Kalsada Spirit’ and the ‘Normalize Busking’ campaign to another level.”
I urge the public to stop, look and listen to a busker. Sometimes, there’s a story between the lines of a busker’s performance that you might need to hear.
Martin Riggs
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