May the Beats and Rhythms Welcome Mike, In Heaven!

Mike on the turntables from Jay Ortega fb

Written by

Jude Bautista

DJ, copywriter, father, brother Mike Ong Chua passed away from complications led by a weak heart during Angioplasty, Wednesday, June 12, 2024. Inurnment to follow on June 25, 2024 at St Therese Columbarium.

Mike with wife Anna, sons Damian and Ethan; from Maui Chua fb

He is survived by wife Anna, sons Ethan and Damian. I am so grateful to Mike’s wife Anna for taking care of him. When I met Mike’s sons Ethan and Damian, I realized why he was so proud of them. They got their dad’s chinito/tisoy looks. And are kind, polite young men.

Barbie Abrogar-Savlani sang stirring versions of SUNLIGHT by Kevyn Lettau and SMOOTH OPERATOR by Sade, for Mike.

Singer Barbie Abrogar-Savlani sang a tribute for Mike on the last day of the funeral, June 17 at Sanctuarium in Quezon Ave. Barbie credited Mike for encouraging her singing career. While Dan Gil performed his original songs that same night.

Jay Ortega (DJ Jay) and Dan Gil (DJ Dan)

DJ Ramir, DJ Rae, DJ Fabo, DJ Dan, DJ Jay brought their sound system and played Mike’s favorite music. Mostly from the 80s, 90s and early 2000s, the eras when Mike DJayed professionally. Colleagues gave a touching tribute to him, June 17 in Sanctuarium.

Pepper Lozada

My earliest recollections of alternative music, metal, rap, new wave, pop were from Mike. He loved it all. His younger brother Kenneth Chua, was one of my best friends growing up in St. Peter (mid 80s). We’d sneak into Mike’s room listening to his records, LPs he bought in HK. At the time he may have been the only one to have some of those records here in Manila. That’s how it was back then. Unlike now with Spotify or Youtube, where downloads and music videos are a click away.

From left: Kenneth Chua and Author Jude Bautista.

Mike would talk about this or that artist recommend some over others. And record us mix tapes. He had this poster of THE CULT. They became one of my favorite artists ever. It wasn’t just me either, he made mix tapes for everyone. Fans who gave him blank cassettes. Manly Estrada, Dominic Chiu, Jasper Golangco, all from St Peter.

From left: Barbie Abrogar-Savlani, Anna Chua, Pepper Lozada and Coach Angelo Lozada.

Since he was taller than most 6’1”, he also played basketball. And got to play in the Chinese commercial league (PICAA) against my brother George Bautista and Vincent Lizo. When I mentioned that to some of his friends they were kind of shocked. He wasn’t into exercise when they got to know him.

Dan Gil performed original songs for Mike.

Past years, we’ve been chatting on fb. He’d always have a contradictory comment to whatever I was posting. When I asked him why, he said he took pleasure in being a troll. He may appear to be abrasive online but was more mellow in person. And to most of his colleagues as DJ and in advertising that was part of his charm, being honest, straightforward and calling out bull___. His friend Joel Fabonan (DJ Fabo) said it best: Mike valued honesty and wanted a celebration of his life in music, rather than a sad farewell.

Every time I hear a CULT song, I’ll think of you Mike.

Like: CIAO BABY!