HE WALKS the brick road that straddles the green lawn of Ateneo Loyola campus, seemingly unmindful of the slight buzz as a cluster of co-eds sneaked a peek at the songwriter-singer of the hit song, “Hey Daydreamer” that reigns over the charts.
In his blue plaid polo shirt with a matching blue umbrella amidst the morning drizzle, Rez Toledo cuts quite a figure of the true-blooded Atenean whose creative talent has people wondering who this rising young star is.
Unknown to many, Rez is a full-time student majoring in Management Information Systems at Ateneo de Manila University. A self-confessed “techie” at heart, he said he chose his course because he enjoys editing videos and tinkering with music programs that help develop his music.
Some might wonder how he manages to balance his work as an artist and being student, to this he says, “Try your best to manage your time. I try to balance out the schedules. People I work with know I’m in school, so they adjust because school is my priority. Ever since I was young, I was taught never to take education for granted.”
Indie route
As the voice behind Somedaydream, Rez started experimenting with his music and sharing it with friends. “I would post them on MySpace and initially shared it with people I know who I think would be interested. It spread after a while with more people visiting my page, and it eventually reached Champ (Lui Pio, former vocalist of Hale) who became my manager,” said Rez reminiscing on his humble beginnings and the sense of fulfillment that comes from doing what he loves best.
He has come a long way since “Hey Daydreamer” first played on air during January of this year and is currently wrapping up his debut album set to be released in July.
Being thrust in the spotlight has its privileges as well as downside. The long hours at the recording studio would mean missing out on night-outs with old classmates and friends.
“It’s a worthy sacrifice because not many people are given this opportunity; to be able to work while still in school,” he says.
“I miss my friends, but I get to see them every now and then when I don’t have anything scheduled.”
Balancing act
The rush to and from shoots, press events, and launches added to long tests, papers and other demands of school can be very nerve wracking but Rez deals with all of these, one day at a time. “I plan short-term so I can better focus on my goals, it keeps me grounded knowing that I have to take it step-by-step,” he says.
So far, his being a star on campus had not caused anything out of the ordinary and he takes time to chat with the “sweetest of fans,” as he calls them, when given the chance.
His fans call themselves “Dreamers” taken from Somedaydream and Rez thinks that it is important that one never stops dreaming big, “When you aim for the stars you get into a trance or state like you feel nothing is going to stop you; you are so focused and you do whatever it takes to reach that dream. In a way it’s a form of an escape and it gets you on track, right where you need to be.”
The future is bright for this rising new star on the scene armed with talent, charm and his unassuming aura. Days will get busier for Rez the student and for Rez the musician but one thing is for sure, he is on a roll and there’s no stopping him.
