November 26, 2024 | 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — Television, events, and stage director Frank Lloyd Mamaril could have his recording much earlier, when he was still a bit younger. However, he didn’t have the resources then. He opted to finish his studies at the University of Sto. Tomas (UST), where he took up Communication Arts.
“I felt I also didn’t have the talent yet at that time. Sometimes, I had that kind of moment. I was thinking that was not meant for me. I was always saying, I would pursue recording one day.”
Direk Frank dauntlessly joined singing contests then. “Hindi pwedeng hindi pwede,” he said. “Do what you want to do so you can achieve your aspirations, your dreams.”
Not many people knew about it, but direk Frank opted to live by his lonesome for some time. “I became independent,” he disclosed. “I learned the value of independence, the value of money, the value of the people around me.”
“Now, I’m just living an example. When you wish something, you can do it. This is the right time. I’m very, very happy that I’ve done this now. In an ideal time.”
He recently released his debut single, Made To Believe, in time for his birthday also this month. The last part of the song hits hard for direk Frank.
The lyrics go, “I learned how to love myself this time and let this pain run over me. You helped me find my way back to my solace and say I was never alone. And all of these things will take you somewhere, as long as you believe.”
Direk Frank explained, “You are always given a second chance in life,” he said. “You need to have a heart that believes in the goodness of the people around you.”
Words and melody are by Jazzne Kier and direk Frank, while music arrangement is by Kiko “Kikx” Salazar and Alas Ramos.
Direk Frank was the TV director for the major concert of Martin Nievera at the Araneta Coliseum last September. He worked with musical director Louie Ocampo and stage director Paolo Valenciano.
“I’m not a Valenciano,” direk Frank smiled. “I’m just somebody who works hard so I can reach my dreams. But Tito Martin is one of the best collaborators ever in a concert.”
“He was my first writer for concerts. When I directed Carlo Aquino and Matteo Guidicelli in their solo concerts, Martin wrote the script. I never thought I would be close to the Concert King. I was just a small director.”
When he was still in college, direk Frank really wanted to become a singer. “There came a point in my life, when I entered college, I fell in love with television,” shared direk Frank. “I auditioned before for singing contests on TV. I was also part of the Tomasian Cable Television, where I got to direct shows.”
Even before direk Frank released Made To Believe, Martin Nievera heard it, as well as composer Cecile Azarcon, who returned to Manila last May and staged a concert at The Theater at Solaire. Composer Vehnee Saturno also listened to it.
“It was so overwhelming that they all gave positive feedback,” said direk Frank. “That inspired me more. That was what happened with Kier, who wrote Made To Believe with me. He is a budding singer who guested in my live, online show and told me he has songs that he wrote.”
“When I told him, ‘Can you make a song for me?’ I told him what I wanted the song to convey. Overnight, he returned to me and gave me a song. I only fixed a few words and arranged a bit of the melody.”
“I dedicate this song to the new generation of artists who can still work with me or who want to be inspired by me. I really want to inspire. I don’t see myself as an Erik Santos. I just want to be a simple singer. A singer that when his record comes out, people listen to him.”
Direk Frank is not under any recording company. He distributed his own recording under FLM (his initials) Creatives and Productions, Inc., which also manages talents and produces music for other artists.
Although he ventured into recording, direk Frank insisted it would not be his priority. “Releasing a single is just part of a bigger picture,” he clarified. “I saw the bigger purpose. I can inspire more by becoming a better director and inspire others that they can also reach their dreams.”
“There are budding directors who want to train under me because they want to believe in themselves that they can also do it. The best way I can do is do this song, sing it to them and send it to them,” he added.
“I want to prove that I can do singing and directing at the same time. I hope those trainees will not leave me and stay working in this industry. I will still continue helping musicians to produce their music to be heard, with the resources and connections that I have.”
“I think my purpose in life is to create a space, create a family who understands each other, help each other and grow together.”
Direk Frank will meg the TV coverage of December Avenue concert, direct two more shows in January and the next major concert of Aegis in February.
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