For many reasons, the band True Faith’s frontman, Medwin Marfil, is among the most inspiring artists one can think of and a pretty embodiment of the irony in Philippine showbiz.
At first glance, he may not be the stereotypical face of a hit band, yet his group is now hailed for its longevity, anchored on his leadership and vocal prowess.
Considering its foray into the mainstream, rather gentle pop music, True Faith, you would think, seems to be playing it safe to avoid walking on thin ice. Truth be told, he’s vocally political and very clear about which side he’s on. On the road to his gig in Orange County here on the West Coast late last year, we were mostly discussing not his musical choices but his political stance.
And, well, in case you missed it, he decidedly became the Pinoy band scene’s poster boy for the LGBTQIA+ upon marrying Mark Angeles in San Francisco, California.
To some extent, I witnessed their chemistry in person amid the backdrop of dreamy America. What they have chosen to represent is something worth celebrating—unless you’re some unfair, judgmental person who can’t accept that true love knows no bounds.
So in our latest chat early this month, I asked Meds (the shortened name he prefers): What could be that key ingredient to why he consistently achieves the seemingly impossible and has been surprising the public with his ability to remain relevant—in and outside the Philippines—after all these years?
He said he does one move: he perseveres, noting, “It’s cliché, but you gotta have faith.”
Coming from him, it sounds very true.
Meds is currently back in the Philippines for a series of shows with the rest of True Faith. They did one on the eve of Valentine’s Day at Hard Rock Café Conrad Manila and followed that up on Hearts’ Day Friday with a gig at Noctos Music Bar in South Triangle, Quezon City.
Come Friday (Feb. 21), they will be entertaining the artist community at 12 Monkeys Bar in Pasig City, and then the next day, their hits-filled showcase goes to Hippodrome Bar & Lounge in Winford Manila.
“Kitakits tayo, friends. Take care and cheers, everyone,” he said, short and sweet, in one of his Facebook shoutouts.
Truly, Meds is one of the nicest individuals in the Philippine band scene, always trying his best to sound just like anyone else and never pushing too hard to be witty just for the sake of appearing cool or outspoken in a rockstar way.
Having said that, we can’t discount the fact that he and his band have more than enough hits to dwarf other Filipino recording artists acting prima donna. Let’s enumerate some: “Alaala,” “Sa Puso Ko,” “Huwag Na Lang Kaya,” “Muntik Nang Maabot Ang Langit,” “Baliw,” “Kung OK Lang Sa’Yo,” “Kundi Rin Lang Ikaw,” and “Dahil Ikaw.”
May we add one more called “Perfect.” It takes a certain kind of person to stay humble despite numerous achievements.
“Tuloy-tuloy lang kami as True Faith. I don’t see the need to put an end to the band’s run just because I’m already in the U.S.,” he assured. “Technology allows us to record without being in the same room, and I’m just a plane ride away if you think about it.”
Meds has tightly embraced the cold weather of the Bay Area (where he resides with Mark) and California’s foliage. Sometimes, he misses the warmth of Metro Manila. Small wonder it’s something he felt excited about prior to flying back, where he intends to stay for a couple of months.
He recently lost his father, Winnie, and partly he is honoring his memory by exercising the performer’s creed: the show must go on.
When he mentioned that he is digging further into sounds atypical of True Faith, I asked about the possibility of him doing solo records soon, separate from his household name and not disbanding affiliation. His reply: “That’s a good question.”
Anything positive can happen for a Medwin Marfil. He has faith. That has always been true since we first heard his band singing just as perfectly as possible, using that very word, of course, “on a low-down Sunday afternoon.”