OPM singer Martin Riggs sets himself apart from the rest because of one thing– he takes his music out on the streets for everyone to hear. 

If you’ve strolled along the streets of Manila and you’ve seen an act performing before an open audience, chances are you’ve just caught a glimpse of Riggs and his crew. 

Collectively, they call themselves The Busking Community PH. 

Busking means playing music on the streets or any public area, usually for donations.

Riggs liked the idea and saw the potential in doing this kind of performance. 

Lost wallet leads to busking

It was in 2018 when he started busking,  but he was introduced to the concept years prior. 

It all started when he lost his wallet and he had no money to pay for his fare home. 

He was headed home from college at that time. After he got down from the bus he was riding, he realized that his wallet was gone.

Good thing he had his guitar with him.

“Ayoko naman po mag 123 sa dyip. Ayoko rin naman pong mandaya ng pamasahe, so ang ginawa ko pom tumugtog na lang po ako sa kalsada, hanggang sa may nakapag bigay na po ng tip tapos nakauwi na po ako,” he told republicasia. 

At that time, all he wanted was to earn enough money from his street performance so that he could go home. 

But when he played his guitar and performed and people watched him, he also felt the conviction that he already knew where he wanted to go. He wanted to head on the path of music. 

“Dun ko pala talaga gustong mapunta, sa pagtugtog sa kalsada, and gusto ko pala siya ituloy,” he said. 

The advocacy 

Fast forward to 2018. He posted a video on Twitter that, to his shock, went viral. This caught the attention of a television network and his advocacy was made into a documentary. 

He was surprised at the response his story got. Artists started messaging him to ask if they could join his activity.

“Nabuo po ‘yung busking community kasi hindi na lang po ako alone busking in the streets. Madami na po kaming tumutugtog,” he said. 

Among the OPM artists who have joined his community were Eugene Layug, Pappel, Kean Cipriano, and Unique Salonga. 

Riggs’  advocacy is simple– to normalize seeing music gigs on the streets. 

“Sana hindi na siya weird, sana accepted na siya. Sana pag may nakikita silang buskers sa kalsada makita nilang safe ‘yung kalsada ng Pilipinas,” he said. 

Direction 

From here, Riggs is hoping for a holistic showcase of art and talent for people to see on the streets. 

“Gusto po namin mag showcase ng collaborative performances among all kinds of art forms not just music. Gusto po namin ma-incorporate yung sayaw, yung tula, yung pagarte, yung visual arts at kung ano pa pong kaya,” he said. 

“It will be a community of buskers performing in the streets, as authentic as it could be,” he added. 

Through busking, he wants to change the landscape by offering something new to the entertainment industry. 

Recording artist 

Riggs is a singer-songwriter who also produces music for other artistsl. He is signed with O/C Records and has released tracks such as “Langit at Dagat,” “Ako at Ikaw, Diba?” “Damaso,” “Umaga” and “P Z Z L S.” 

He has also written songs for artists like Kean Cipriano, Viva [Artists Agency] talents and many others. His upcoming single “Paraiso” is also set to drop on digital streaming apps this April.

He currently has 5,164 monthly listeners on Spotify.