A passion for music

Hi, I'm Michael Baldwin O. Serato from Ormoc City, Leyte.

(please do excuse me if I make grammar mistakes)

I'm trying to raise money for myself as I lack financial support. I am a music lover, I mean, who doesn't? But in my case, I've always wanted to produce music and enhance my skill. I've been playing different instruments since I was a kid but I got stuck at the drums in the end. To tell everyone the truth, I have 5 siblings who all have graduated and have jobs. Some of them already have families. I have two brothers who are both seafarers who are helping financing me for my college. Even though my brothers earn a decent amount of money, they also are the ones paying for our electricity bills and they have their own personal bills to pay as well. I feel sorry for them, they could have been earning for their future but they're stuck at financing us. I couldn't ask for more for what they've already given me. This is why I'm here to ask for help...

This is me. This photo was taken in 2016. This was the first time I played with a drum set. But before this, I already fell in love with the drums in 2014 where I bought my first drumsticks. During the 2 years of being unable to play with an actual drum set, I've been practicing with my handles on my laps, and believe me, I now have strong laps haha. This photo means so much to me, it shows how I really loved the instrument and I got to finish a song on my first try. I knew it was my passion. But I couldn't practice to develop my talent just because I don't have money nor have friends who have a drum set. From 2016 to 2018 I legit have played the drums for less than 20 hours total. But my friends and I believe I can already do advance stuff. I already competed 2 battle of the bands at my school and I'm very proud of what I have shown. But I want to be better everyday.

Some people told me to focus on my studies and graduate, get a job, and earn enough to buy a drum set. For me that hurts but at the same time, I can't really force it without money and given my family's financial status. Maybe, I could do that. But let's put it this way, If I graduate, then get a job, earn, then finally have my own drum set, don't you think my mindset would change? I could have been better already after I graduate and could have made it my profession. I would no longer have the time to practice because I already have a job.

Ten years ago (my brothers' highschool days), my city used to have a lot of bands like A LOT. There were surprisingly no fights, no grudges, no. Only friendly competitiveness which was really cool. After that generation, I could barely see anyone carrying a guitar and drum sets are VERY hard to find. We only have one music shop in my city but it's small and they're outdated. You see, for people like me, who are as passionate as I am towards music, sometimes you can't say "money isn't the problem" when you want to learn an instrument. There are situations like mine that need help, financially. Imagine a child who wants to learn, but the lack of money is holding him/her down. Eventually the child will grow tired and will give up on that dream. He/She could have had great potential as a musician.

I ask for your help, even just a little bit, P100k seems too big for a drum set, but any decent set costs about 60k-80k atleast from the tens of shops I visited. The rest of the money would be used to renovate a room of mine and turn it into a music room. Because I also want teach what I know to those who are willing to learn. And also for equipments, since I've always wanted to do drum cover. This cause means so much to me, because it has been my dream for years now. I don't want to give up on my dream and my dream is hard to achieve without help.

Please do share my story with my link. Every bit helps.

Thank you.