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All for music

Donna, Francis, MC, and Ryan — collectively known as the band Metafour — have a common motto: music or bust.All of them are college graduates with no shortage of skills and gainful employment.

However, after several years spent toughing it out in the workplace, they decided to pursue their dreams of making it in the music industry instead.

Take frontwoman Donna, for example. After graduating from Colegio de San Juan de Letran in Intramuros, she spent two years as a preschool teacher. Meanwhile, vocalist and percussionist MC worked as a call centre agent.

They plugged away at what other people would call "real jobs" (i.e. ones with steady pay and benefits) for a few years before their true calling won out.

"When you're passionate about something, it's hard to stay away from it," says Donna, who quit teaching to pursue music full-time.

MC, who gave up a substantial salary in favour of music, agrees. "When you love something as much as we love music, it'll keep coming back even if you try to ignore it," he says.

After trying — and failing — to ignore their love for music, they decided to dive headfirst into the Philippine music scene. Guitarist Ryan shares that while it was hard for them in the beginning, they kept at it by drawing strength from their family, friends, and each other.

"We give each other the strength to go on when things get rough. We're a team, so we're always here for each other,” he says.

According to vocalist Francis (who also plays the keyboards), there were times that things did get rough. "We would show up for gigs, only to find out that they had been cancelled. That put us in dire straits financially, because live gigs are a band's bread and butter," he shares.

Donna admits she misses the security that a regular income gives her, but says she wouldn't trade her dreams for anything.

"A musician's life is hard, but since it's what we [really] love to do, my bandmates and I are willing to do whatever it takes to succeed,” she says.