A DJ Academy In The Philippines

February 3rd, 2010 by DJ Dino | 17 Comments

dj_academy

In the San Francisco Bay Area, there are lot of DJs who are of Filipino descent, primarily because the city of Daly City, California is home to one of the largest Filipino communities in the USA. It’s only fitting that back in their homeland, there is now a DJ Academy. The DJ Academy Philippines is located in Mandaluyong, Metro Manila. The school is the first and only DJ school of it’s kind in the country and offers an unparalleled level of DJ education and access. All courses feature world class DJ instructors and a full complement of state of the art DJ equipment. No matter what your skill level or musical genre preference, the DJ Academy has the right program for anyone looking to become a DJ.

Though the school officially opened on August 29, 2009, it has been 10 years in the making waiting for the all the right resources to come along. The president of the school is Jesse Gonzales and is also the President of DMC Philippines. Jesse was himself a famous club DJ in the 70’s & 80’s at clubs like “Where Else” and “Club Valentino” before eventually becoming a consultant at Club Euphoria. Jesse then ended his career as a radio DJ. For those of you who may not know, DMC stands for Disco Mix Club which is responsible for hosting the annual Worldwide DJ Competition dating back to the early 80’s. Since opening it’s doors, over 50 students have graduated at the Academy. The staff consists of instructors and individual investors. The instructors are actual DJs (including turntablists) that originated from DMC competitions and were either champions or finalists. Two of the instructors include DJ Sonny Abad and DJ Radikal MK who are both former DMC Philippine Champions.

dj_sonny

DJ Sonny Abad’s name may be familiar to some of you because he is actually from the San Francisco Bay Area, from the city of Hercules, CA. DJ Sonny has been doing it for over 25 years and started out with the Legendary Mobile DJ Group “3-D Sounds” from Hercules, California. During his days with 3-D Sounds, Sonny would join every battle that he could get into (big or small) just for the experience and to improve his skills.

Their group competed in the DJ Battle “Imagine #5″ in San Francisco. I remember seeing him and his group battle against another group, “Imperial Sounds” of Daly City, at Diablo Valley Community College in Concord, California in the late 80’s. Sonny first visited the Philippines in 1988 and eventually became a Club DJ at a Club called Heartbeat which was open 7 days a week allowing him to learn a lot while on the job. Heartbeat was one of the first clubs in the Philippines to implement the rotation DJ format where a DJ would come in, do his set, and another DJ would follow afterwards. This way, the crowd would get a new style and format every night. Aside from DJ’ing, Sonny was also instrumental in helping out various hip-hop acts like Masta-Plan as well as collaborations on a variety of albums. I remember the first time I returned to the Philippines in 1992 and I got to go to attend this very club. The DJ was playing this really cool track called “How Gee” (jazzy song with a hip-hop beat) and the MC got on the mike and screamed out “DJ Sonny Abad!!!”. I was both shocked and proud at the same time, knowing that he came from the States. Sonny recently returned to the Philippines again in 2007 to attend his grandmother’s funeral and has stayed there every since. The DJ Academy Philippines came along and he volunteered, feeling it was his obligation to help out. Originally, his plan was to develop a simple lesson plan that other DJ instructors could use to teach with, but was eventually hired on to stay and teach at the Academy.

“I’m glad I did it because I enjoy it a lot, it’s different than working at the Club or doing mobile gigs, but it’s really just as rewarding.” says Sonny.

For more information about the DJ Academy Philippines, go to:
http://www.djacademy.com.ph/
OR
http://www.facebook.com/DJ.Academy.Philippines

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ESands February 3rd, 2010 at 12:23

It’s interesting to see other countries spreading the art of DJing. Great story DJ Dino.

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dj kups February 3rd, 2010 at 22:13

you wont learn anything from this school… its just a waste of money and they are over charging!!!!

its all crap!!

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dj kups February 3rd, 2010 at 22:14

IT IS BETTER TO BORROW GEARS OR IF YOU HAVE MONEY TO HAVE YOUR OWN GEARS and spend time on watching tutorials over youtube than SPENDING ALOT FROM THESES GUYS!!!!

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SpeakAndSpill February 4th, 2010 at 11:12

@dj kups – gears should be singular.

for example: IF “YOU HAVE MONEY TO HAVE YOUR OWN GEAR”.

schooling is important.

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x112619 February 4th, 2010 at 13:01

Every people have their own different perceptions as to how, when, where to learn, some people would like to have formal instructions and others would like to explore by themselves.

Thumbs up to Dj Academy Philippines because they have open doors to people who really do not have any idea how to start their dream.

I believe having inspirational mentor like Dj Sonny at the DJ Academy makes it best to start here.

It’s not about the money, it’s the experience and friendship you cannot compare with any amount in the world.

ONE LOVE!!

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Alexson Lim February 4th, 2010 at 16:10

I had the chance to visit DJ Sonny at DJ Academy when I was in PI last month. DJ Academy is doing good things with this program and they’re doing it to share this art and culture of DJing. Sonny shared with me the rewarding feeling of seeing someones face light up when they first blend their first two songs perfectly for the first time. I’m sure all the djs can relate to that feeling.. Part of their course is to also go over the DJ Equipment which I think is equally important. I applaud DJ Academy for starting this program and definitely have our support. Looking forward to hearing mixes from DJ Academy students soon on Mixcrate..

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wackymango February 4th, 2010 at 22:37

Back in 1990, I wanted to snowboard and didn’t know too many people that did. So I decided to go on my own and take lessons that cost 60 bucks. As a High School Student, $60 is a crap load of money; even in today’s standards. Anyways, after my lesson, I said to myself, “what a f*ckn’ waste of time, but I had a great time.” Here we are today in 2010 and I’m still snowboarding. I look back and now say to myself, “I’m glad I spent that $60 and it wasn’t a waste of time.” I was able to try to snowboard and found out that I liked it. I took some of my instructors pointers, expanded on it, and used it to teach a few people how to snowboard.
People in the PI don’t have too many outlets and can’t afford to purchase equipment. The academy opens doors for others who know nothing about DJing and for those who don’t have friends that are DJs. The potential for the next great DJ to arise like a Q-Bert, Shortkut, or Babu may from the Academy. Although that’s not all certain, but the possibility exists. In the end, just like Alexson said, a smile in someone’s face for blending their first song is all well worth it.

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krusttyyy February 4th, 2010 at 22:38

@DJ Kups – their price is reasonable. proper schooling is better than just imitating other DJs on youtube. if you can’t afford DJ Academy’s price, how can you even get your self some DJ gear?

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DJTwirlyT February 5th, 2010 at 16:28

Overall, the academy is a good thing. I applaud any program that provides a healthy and productive outlet for the community.

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DJ Newbie February 6th, 2010 at 19:23

Just wondering about the GEARS is that for direct drive turntables? And should I carry my own replacement gears in case they fail? Just trying to clarify. I really am hesitant to buy my own gears and fiddle with it….Thanks!

Anyways I would probably use chrome gears if its available!

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VinceG February 6th, 2010 at 23:22

I took DJ Academy’s classes I was the first one to take the 1 on 1 class while on vacation last Oct. I learned more than watching on youtube. It help me understand everything, and like what Alexson said, when you blend your first song I did have a huge smile from ear to ear. It was the best vacation and money I spent.
DJ Sonny, DJ Radikal and the other mentors really took time to teach, support and explain every part of being a DJ. I guess for me having that one on one someone teaching you works for me, I know it made me more confident when I DJ, so thanks DJ Academy Philippines!!!!

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DjKenTanabe February 7th, 2010 at 21:14

Lead by Example…Dj Sonny is one down to earth pep u can learn alot with at the Dj Academy.. Plus all the Great Djs contributing in there are equally good!!!

Great Topic Dj Dino!!! Big Ups Mixcrate!!!

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ejhay February 20th, 2010 at 17:12

hi sir! how to enroll in your academy? im interested.

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david March 31st, 2010 at 02:48

I used to know Jesse Gonzales many many years ago. I was also a club DJ in Manila in the late 1970’s and early 1980s. During the time of Soudout and Media Inc (ok, does anyone remember that?) Our equipment was mostly Cerwin Vega in those days. Even the fader. CV D1 mixer.

Anyway, if you want to be a DJ, you have to have the talent to mix music. Its a certain “feel” for what works and what goes together well. It just comes naturally. Also to read the crowd – and to manipulate the play of music so the club sells drinks and makes money. THAT is very important. Many club DJs forget that. Its not all about mixing music really flawlessly without “sabit”. Once you’ve determined you have that knack, then you can learn. Go to Jesse’s school. I have to support him, he’s a great guy and a great DJ with lots of experience. Blast from the past. (he used to borrow some of my records to play at his radio stn.)

LittleDavid

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Dj venky May 3rd, 2010 at 08:46

hi, i am one of foreiner whose frm india and studided in phil dj academy. see been thru couple of countries and checked the resourses, and what ever this guys are doing is simply awesome. when you dont know where to start and where to end ,how would you get the dream come true? i was in same situation and dj academy helped my a lot and now i am playin in one the best clubs in manila.guys..pass some good feedback to them and appreciate hte work they are doing..sonny u keep rocking man..

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darkh20 July 18th, 2010 at 22:11

I have been dreaming to be a club dj since childhood.I have a couple of real life friends who are now active dj on our local area ( mindanao ). I am looking forward to enroll in DJ Academy since it is really been recomended by all of Dj friends.Starting to save up for this.Hope to see and start my dream ASAP….

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DJ Bernie B July 28th, 2010 at 10:37

DJ Sonny is one of the guys that got me started djing. My brother and I knew him back in the days when we lived in Vallejo. I’ve been djing for 20 years now and I still would love to enroll in the DJ Academy. I wish there was some kind of school like that around my area in the U.S.

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A DJ Academy In The Philippines

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