Where is he now: Spanky Rigor, the "S" of Pinoy disco group VST & Co.
Spanky Rigor was more than a household name for two decades in the Philippines since the 1970s. After all, he is one of the pioneers of the infamous Pinoy disco band, VST &Co., sharing the spotlight along with Vic Sotto and Tito Sotto.
But unlike the Sotto brothers who continue to bask in popularity, Spanky took a different road in life.
Through a video documentary presented by Albert Samaha, a journalist from US-based live magazine Pop-UP Magazine and also the nephew of the VST & Co. founding member, we are given a peek and an update about the former Pinoy rockstar.
Spanky was 25 years old when he began his career as a producer for a record company which led him to meeting Vic and Tito. Soon after, they formed VST & Co. that became known as the “Bee Gees of the Philippines” and set the tone for the iconic Manila sounds.
Their disco group released their first record in 1977, debuting their hit single “Awitin Mo at Isasayaw Ko.” In an era that experienced the tumultuous period of Martial Law, Albert remarked how his uncle was still living a good life.
He narrated, “His future was laid out for him. Big house, bigger beach house, drivers, maid, nannies, bodyguards, private school for the kids, and an endless string of well-paying low-stress gigs. But in 1988, at the height of his fame and to the surprise of his bandmates, my uncle Spanky left.”
According to the documentary, what convinced Spanky to leave the spotlight and cross the oceans to settle in the US was his family. His mom migrated to America and was followed by his wife who eventually got pregnant with their second child. His frequent visits opened new perspectives for him.
He recalled, “It was like going to la-la land. It was going to another dimension, another world. Everything I see, wow, beautiful. I couldn't see the dreads of life. I couldn't even see garbage. I couldn't even see homelessness. Now, all I saw was 'Wow, what a beautiful place.'
But the VST member's transfer to the US was also met with unfortunate events. The US saw violence and despair due to drugs, unemployment soared, and Spanky's family was broken into by burglars.
A few times, it was told that Spanky thought of returning to the Philippines but he decided to stay and work in the US. That's when the former rockstar began working at the San Francisco Airport as a baggage handler, more often doing 16-hour double shifts and now for almost three decades.
His life abroad was definitely far from the glamorous and comfortable life he had in his home country but he claimed not to regret his decision to leave.
Spanky said, “I don't know if I'd be able to give to them what they have now if they were in the Philippines.
“Whatever successes you do in the Philippines, there's always a price to pay. Whereas here in the states, at least they leave you alone, do your thing to the best of your ability.”
Watch the full documentary here:
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