It's easy to assume that every P-Pop artist is a natural and takes the stage without any doubts. After all, that’s how they debut—picture-perfect and ready to perform. But not every P-Pop idol is born with the outgoingness to guide them to the stage. Some, like VXON’s Patrick, carve their own way with the grit to perform.
With the way he moves in the stage alongside his members, C13, Sam, Franz, and Vince, you wouldn’t be able to tell that he has doubted his own skills and sweated it out to improve. But all those years of hard work and determination lead up to this very icon we see today, someone who did all the work to make it seem like he’s a true natural at his job.
For Metroscene Mag’s story this May, we follow Patrick and the story of how he transformed his struggles into stepping stones, turning every setback into motivation and every tough day into progress. An uncertain rookie doesn’t just turn into a shining star overnight, and Patrick proves why it's better when you commit to the journey along the way.
Changing the Game for Himself
Before he joined VXON, Patrick admitted to his introverted past. “Sobrang mahiyain ako. Sobrang hirap ako humarap sa tao, sa camera. Di ako makasayaw although sa school naman kasi nakakapagperform ako solo, nakakapaginteract ako, pero hindi sobrang confident na sobrang hundred percent.”
It wasn’t until he joined Cornerstone Entertainment that he met his members and he got to have the help that would push him to surpass his own limits. “Tinulungan nila ako sa lahat talaga ng bagay.” It only goes to show how a nudge in the right direction could lead to so many possibilities.
That’s when Patrick got the first payoff for taking his shot at this new life. He got to meet his members that would be there for him every step of the way. He got a personal support system out of his own members, and that was one of the first steps of being a successful group. When you’re all in sync and there for each other’s backs, you’re all steeled for the next challenges because at times when you can’t hold your ground, you have your members to hold onto. As we asked Patrick about a rewarding thing he got because he took a chance, he referred to his group in a brief but warm answer, “Yung nagkaroon ako ng makakausap, nagkaroon ako ng kasama na katulad nila.”
The Studio Is Also A Stage
Just like that, Patrick continues to pave his own way to success. After he overcame his wariness of facing people, he knew that there was still work that needed to be done. Patrick shared how he used to be focused only on the dance aspect of being an idol. But with perseverance, training, and help from his fellow members, he realized that there were no limits to what he could do. Now that he has all of those mastered like a pro, he’s ready to become a musical powerhouse by conquering yet another aspect of being an artist, songwriting. Patrick told us how he’s taken a great interest in the craft. “Nagttry ako magsulat and sobrang open naman nila (VXON members) sakin. Tinutulungan nila ako na magsulat ng kanta and tinatanong nila ko kung ano yung inspiration ko like gusto kong mangyari para matulungan nila ko ganun.”
In fact, there’s one member that Patrick really looks up to when it comes to composing their songs, and it’s none other than the group's resident songwriter, Franz. “Actually iniidolize ko sya eh pagdating sa pagsulat ng kanta. Kasi ako personally gusto ko rin magsulat talaga ng galing talaga sakin. Parang gusto ko maachieve kung ano yung skills ni Franz when it comes to songwriting.” It really puts into perspective how the members act as each others’ backbones, because all the other members really look up to Patrick as well. They look up to him for his determination, performances, and his contagious smile. As a group, they were made to face challenges together and reap their rewards together. This is why with the help of Franz and with Patrick’s own tenacity, we’re confident that he’ll be able to produce songs like no other. Because with all other things he accomplished with hard work and willpower, anything becomes possible.
A Boost from Someone Who Made It
Despite many other bonuses of becoming an idol, Patrick sees their fans as one of the most valuable gifts from his efforts. “Yung fans namin sobrang grabe wala ako masabi sa kanila. Simula before nung nagdebut kami, sila na yun. Sobrang kilala na namin sila sa mukha talaga. Di namin kami madamot sa interactions, di naman kami madamot kapag gusto nila na iapproach namin sila. Sobrang gaan lang namin kasama actually kasi gusto rin naman namin sila maging masaya kasi simula’t sapul andun na sila sa amin. Gusto lang namin sila maging masaya.” And since he wants Vixies and everyone else to be happy, he also wants them to take the risk like him and choose to believe in themselves. Because like with Patrick’s journey, risks really come with rewards.
“Kung ano yung gusto nyo gawin nyo lang kasi wala namang makakapigil sa inyo eh. Kung ano gusto mong gawin sa buhay mo, kung ano gusto mong marating, just keep pushing yourself kasi kumbaga, tayo lang din makakatulong sa sarili natin para magstep-up eh. Hayaan mo yung ibang tao, kung ano masasabi sayo, kahit alam mong negative o kahit positive man yan. Sabihin mo lang sa sarili mong ‘kaya ko to’ parang ‘maaabot ko to, magiging successsful ako’ ayun. Believe in yourself.”
We could all learn a thing or two from Patrick. Practice really does make perfect, and sometimes you wouldn’t even know that a flawless person was once scared to even put themselves out there. Risks are meant to be taken, but it doesn’t stop at that. You refine the potential of the chances you take, and like Patrick, you make the most of it.
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Creative Director, Art Director, and Editor-in-Chief: Mark Elwyn Baccay (@markelwyn)
Photographed by Miguel Alomajan (@migotilyomanila)
Photo Assist: Earl Montante (@zxs_earl)
Makeup by Jomari Braganza (@jomaribraganza), Jamila San (@j.mlsn), and Mikka Aira Sasaki (@mikkahmua)
Hairstyling by Mharhea Banting (@workwithmhar)
Videographer and Editor: Cyrus Joshua Bon (@itscyrusbon)
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Set Design and Production by Rocket Design Studio (@Rocketsets)
Fashion Styling: Uriel Matthew (@urielmatthew)
Assisted by Janna Grace (@jannartsy) and Sofia Montemayor (@skree.ee_)
Clothes from:
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Story by Mark Elwyn Baccay (@markelwyn)
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Zoie Monteclaro (@zoeirdo)
Rihyana Abundo (@hyanalouis)
Metroscene Mag interns:
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Ron Daniel Padilla (@ronforyourlives)
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