VP/Spotlight | Franz Chua is the Man of His Words

Keeping things true to an unspoken vow to the pages where he inked the stories to tell the world about, he has devoted himself to keeping the pen moving in directions his heart goes. Franz Chua is the man of his words, literally!

As the main vocalist of the P-pop boy group VXON, one way or another, you surely have heard Franz bring houses down with stunning vocals and jaw-dropping performances along with C13, Vince, Patrick, and Sam. After dropping hits that just know how to get into the hearts of their VXIES, the Monster Rookies of the Philippine Pop have become among the untameable beasts in the wild terrains of Filipino music. On the other hand, beyond his fierce sound, there is more to Franz Chua, taking one from the height of his humor down to the depths of his passion, which all emerged as we sat down for a conversation a few minutes before he appeared at a show.

Meanwhile, his love for music also gets a space in the content he shares with us online. His duet cover with Zephanie of Demi Lovato’s This is Me, pinned at the top of his profile, has been played 2.5 million times and liked by more than 300,000 users. It just speaks to how their harmony resonated with the people whom they took back to the Camp Rock era. Using his platform even more, Franz also shares with the online world some of the hits of their group, which he wrote and produced himself, proving that he is the man of the words he pens.

From the Drafts

Every writer’s phone notes or notebook houses countless ideas for masterpieces in progress. In the same way, Franz Chua found his space in the world of writing back into the early drafts of the first song he had ever written—too early that not everybody had the rare chance of indulging in it. “Na-discover ko po na parang mayroon po akong potential sa writing no’ng nag-join po ng high school songwriting contest,” he narrates as he recalls how, like many of us, he began exploring his craft in school activities. “No’ng nag-join ako roon, wala ako masyadong expectation, na makakapasok sa finals. Tapos nagulat po ako, nag-first place po ‘yong song ko. Nanalo po ‘yong song,” Franz added as he reveals that the school band even performed his first ever song.

On the other hand, it took him some time to fully grasp the reality that he holds a wordsmith within, not until time unfolded what fate had for him in college, where Franz pursued film—still an art of storytelling, but in another medium. “Mayroon po kaming project sa college na gumawa ng music video na kailangan original content lahat. Doon, na-test din po ‘yong songwriting skills ko. Nagulat ako kasi parang naging top music video ‘yong ginawa namin, na song ko!” It reignited his passion for writing and sparked hopes in his young mind that maybe his words would take him to greater heights, where he could realize his dreams.

“At the back of my mind, ‘Totoo ba? May something [sa writing ko]? Baka ‘pag tinuloy-tuloy ko ‘to, magkaroon ng result; baka may something great pa!'”
—Franz Chua

From having questions about the wild chances of the words from his drafts holding the power to create something greater, Franz found the answers with VXON. As early as their debut as a group, he had the chance to co-write their songs with their producers. At that time, he was enjoying the art of writing, but self-doubt kept him from fully embracing that he is the man of his words, telling the world stories through his songs. Their hit “Lisan” came, and the loud cheers and rounds of applause overpowered the buzzing sound of his hesitant mind.

“No’ng pinakinggan na po ng co-artists namin, like Ate Yeng [Constantino] at Ate KZ [Tandingan-Monterde], doon ko na po na-accept [‘yong potential ko], kasi ‘yong validation po na ‘yon an nakuha ko from artists na nilu-look up ko po since I was young.”
—Franz Chua

He allowed the energy and validation to drive the pen in directions where his heart goes, continued to write and produce songs, which made it to almost half of the featured tracks in their VXON’s album 20:20. But what really is writing for Franz, I asked. “Naging medium ko po [ang writing] to express myself. Kasi ako po, as a person, hindi po ako magaling mag-express ng emotions, ng mga thoughts ko through words—verbally.,” he revealed.

Beyond a form of his passion, the strokes of his writing also paint the stories and emotions that Franz wants to share with the world. Every word is a translation of the thoughts that fill his mind, and each of the masterpieces he writes serves as a memoir of truth in metaphors that he could not directly utter.

“Sobrang thankful ko po na mayroon akong gano’ng medium and platform to express my thoughts, experiences, and lahat. Naging outlet ko na rin po siya ng emotions ko—kung galit ako or nasasaktan ako sa isang epxerience, and I think ‘yon ang nagiging way ko to make me sane. Parang ‘yon ang nagiging way ko to journal.”
—Franz Chua

Franz had to go through different stages of his life before finally embracing the power of his words. And as he continues to traverse into the world of music, stroking the pen, the possibility for the ink to dry up emerges. On the other hand, the love and support from the people around him fuel his energy and drive to carry on. “‘Yong isa sa reasons kung bakit nakakapagsulat pa rin ako hanggang ngayon ay ‘yong support po. Mas lalo akong nabibigyan ng validation ng inner circle ko po, ng familiy ko po, friends, and management,” he shares.

Franz finds a deeper purpose for having a bigger platform and writing as a medium. He believes that this is his way of touching lives through the songs that resonate with their listeners, inking inspiration and hope. From the drafts, Franz Chua writes masterpieces that mirror the story of countless people.

“I really should keep going kasi may mga istorya na kailangan pang marinig ng mga tao para maka-relate sila at maka-resonate sila, at maramdaman nila na hindi sila nag-iisa. And through music, goal ko rin to give people that comfort and hope, and i-represent sila.”
—Franz Chua

Franz Chua in the Element of Writing

With the newfound reason in writing, VXON’s main vocalist inked words in the hearts of many through the songs he wrote and performed not only by his group, but even for other artists like AJAA. Each song, although directly speaking, holds a depth of emotions as if the persona lives among all of us. They seem like films in the form of music, where pictures are painted with the imagery that Franz Chua uses to take us into a world that he created himself.

“Usually, kapag ako po ang nagsusulat, dapat midnight—mga 2 am! Mas nag-a-activate ang aking creative juices kapag mga gano’ng oras,” he revealed when I asked him about his creative process that formed his songs. Franz also shared that, similar to many writers, overwhelming emotions fuel the pen to keep moving and vividly translate every feeling into words for a song. Interestingly, lightbulb moments come at the most random times for him, allowing him to instantly form a concept for a new song. “Minsan, may mga naiisip akong random words sa kung ano ‘yong napi-feel ko at that moment. ‘Yong ibang random na naiisip ko, minsan nagagawan ko ng song.”

As he continues speaking about his creative process, his enthusiasm radiates through the excitement he shows while talking. “Tapos biglang magpo-form ng melody sa utak ko na very catchy, then ‘yon na, uupo na ako sa study table ko and magre-record na ako ng kahit raw vocals lang and inital draft ng lyrics.” Franz Chua knows his writing, and this is definitely his element, where the pursuit of a better version is a constant quest.

“Binabalikan ko nang binabalikan [‘yong sinusulat ko] every day and night kasi habang pinakikinggan ko siya nang pinakikinggan, nagiging mas preference ko ‘yong song, from structure, melody, words, and ‘yong mga tamang timpla and rhyming.”
—Franz Chua

With this principle engraved both in his heart and art, Franz has written songs that came out in their best versions. Every piece, rhyme, and imagery went through the keen eye of the wordsmith himself, molding its edges so fine and sharp that they pierced through the hearts of their listeners. But among the masterpieces he wrote, which does he find closest to his heart at the moment, I asked. “At this moment of my life, ang pinaka-nagre-resonate po sa akin ay ‘yong sa song naming Tabi-Tabi,” Franz quickly answered in certainty as he goes through his favorite lines “‘Ang daming naniwala pero ‘yaan mo na. Si Karma na ang bahala.'”

Meanwhile, while the singer-songwriter picks a masterpiece that speaks to his heart the most, Franz Chua also revealed a song that he wishes to improve even more when I asked him to share some moments in his writing journey that now give him a little cringe when he recalls. “Sabi po kasi ng listeners namin— ng VXIES namin, gusto nila ‘yong song pero ako personally, least favorite ko siya kasi parang hindi ko naibigay ang full pitential ko sa song na ‘yon. ‘Yon po ‘yong ‘Pretty Please'”

“Thankful pa rin ako kasi may mga tao pa ring na nagre-resonate sa song, and nag-e-enjoy na makinig sa song na ‘yon. Pero ako, if I’m given the chance to rewrite or revise the song, I’ll take it and make it better.”
—Franz Chua

In the present, the lessons he learned from the cringeworthy moments he had from the past allowed him to become a better writer, and share songs that could be anybody’s anthem in a specific moment of their lives. He also revealed that he now has the opportunity to work with other artists, teasing about some possible collaborations. “And nabibigyan na rin po ako ng opportunity to write for other groups po–PPop groups, and for other artists this year. Nagta-try na rin po akong mag-pitch ng iba’t ibang mga kanta sa ibang artists.”

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Inking Inspiration

Now that Franz Chua has found his element through his words, he enjoys the momentum and absorbs every inspiration that the vibrant and diverse world of music gives him. While VXON’s sound resonates more with the Kalye Hip Hop energy, he reveals that he really strives to listen to an array of genres and artists, which also allows him to explore styles that are a mix of musical approaches, creating something new and fresh to the ears.

As we took the conversation to the idea of inspiration, I asked him about the music icons from whom he draws inspiration. “Personally po, nilu-look up ko po sina Ate Yeng [Constantino], Ate KZ [Tandingan-Monterde], and siyempre si Kuya TJ [Monterde], and all my Cornerstone family artists,” he shares. Franz Chua then revealed what seemed like a full circle moment for him and the artists that inspired him.

“Whenever I have the chance na iparinig ‘yong mga songs kina Ate Yeng, Ate KZ, and Kuya TJ, talagang tinit-take ko ‘yon to hear their thoughts. Growing up kasi, hearing their songs, ang nasa isip ko, kailangan ko ‘yong skills nila kasi ‘yon ang staple at standard!”
—Franz Chua

Clinging onto the motivation and kind words that his co-artsists give him, Franz continues to soar through the horizons of his dreams and aim for even bigger milestones. Then I asked him about his dream collaborations—VXIES and all the P-pop fans better be ready, because if his manifestations materialize, big things are about to come. “Gusto ko po talagang maka-collaborate si Ate KZ. I feel like ‘yong music po namin can complement each other,” he revealed before dropping other names like Maki whose style, Franz also wants to explore more. And committing to the sound of VXON, he mentioned names from the Filipino hip hop community.

“Gusto rin po naming maka-collaborate sina Hev Abi, Skusta—sobrang idol po kasi talaga ng VXON ang mga songs nila, na pinakikinggan po namin ang songs nila whenever we are on break. Ang laking validation din po kasi kung sakaling maka-work namin sila, parang part din kami ng hip hop community.”
—Franz Chua

Going even further, he also dreams of collaborating with some international singer-songwriters like NIKI. “Ngayon po, sobrang pinakikinggan ko po ‘yong mga kanta niya. Kahit di po ako broken, kapag nakiking ng kanta niya, parang nagiging broken ka kasi ang sasakit ng mga kanta niya,” Franz humorously uttered then paused before revealing another reason.

“Gusto ko rin pong manakit through songs, so collaborating po with NIKI, magiging solid.”
—Franz Chua

As he keeps on writing songs and performing on different stages, Franz Chua continues to set his goals and chase his dreams, all rooted in his desire to share his talent with the world in its best form. He even dreams of directing one of their music videos soon, which VXIES would find exciting, considering that Franz took film in college. Indeed, he has a heart for storytelling.

Now that he has been inspired by the artists he looks up to, Franz Chua, through his stories, ink inspiration, especially those who may find themselves between the drive to write and the fear of being judged. “Sometimes, hindi pinipilit [ang pagsusulat]. It takes time. ‘Yong writing, it’s a way of expressing your thoughts, pero hindi siya dapat parang pinu-push o pinipilit kasi it comes naturally,” he uttered as he shared one of the ideals he held onto and catapulted him to his present version.

“Keep writing and don’t stop. Kapag nakarinig kayo ng judgment from other people, don’t listen to them, just listen to yourself kasi ikaw ang pinakauang tao na magiging listener mo. Write for yourself and not for other people. Keep on writing.”
—Franz Chua