Cebuano DJ rocks entertainment scene in Brisbane, Gold Coast

BRISBANE, Australia — A Cebuano is carving a name for himself as a sought-after DJ in Brisbane and the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia's sunshine state.

Erl Francis Guillen or DJ Erl Francis is often spotted keeping the vibes high during a Brisbane Broncos National Rugby League (NRL) game at the Suncorp Stadium, pumping music in festivals and bars such as the newly opened LiveWire at The Star Casino in Queen's Wharf, Brisbane, ramping up parties in Gold Coast's Surfers Paradise, and creating unforgettable moments for brides and grooms in-between.

An engineering graduate of University of San Jose Recoletos (USJR) in Cebu, Erl juggles gigs with his day job as a telecommunications tech guy in Brisbane. He came to Australia with his then-girlfriend and now wife Diana in 2018, armed with an engineering degree, a permit to take further studies, and a determination to succeed.

An accidental DJ

"I had no plans of becoming a DJ. I first came here to study MBA (Masters in Business Administration) with a major in Project Management. We lived for one year with my aunt who is a nurse and uncle who works in construction, before living on our own," he said. After finishing the course, Erl got a job as a project manager before working for a telecommunications equipment supplier.

"I was also a professional drummer in Cebu. In 2019, I formed a band in Australia and we named it Groove Street," Erl said.

Then Covid-19 happened. The band could not get together to practice, and they were all stuck at their own homes.

"I wanted to learn a new skill while stuck at home. I bought equipment, and learned how to be an open format DJ. An open format DJ can do everything from being a house DJ, club DJ to wedding DJ. I can do 60s music to the latest genre," he said.

"My first gig was in March 2022. I was back up DJ at a Pinoy-Aussie wedding. Through word of mouth, I got my first paid gig in April 2022. It was a 40th birthday party. Then in June of the same year, I joined an agency for the first time," Erl added.

Erl now does gigs for a number of agencies such as Sydney-based, Australia-wide Star DJ agency, major Brisbane-based wedding agency G&M Event Group, Together Agency, boutique agency Well.Play Group, Sinfidelity, among others.

As he got busier as a DJ, Erl eventually had to give up being part of the Groove Street band. Erl said his friends at the band are also making a name for themselves, having done front acts for Pinoy bands who recently performed in Brisbane –  Mayonnaise, Parokya ni Edgar and Silent Sanctuary and Sunkissed Lola.

"I am happy being a DJ. I enjoy creating memorable celebrations through music for clients. My wife and I also want to help out Filipinos who are starting out here," Erl said.

Before moving to Australia, Erl worked at Jones Lang La Salle in Cebu. He met his wife Diana, who grew up in Zamboanga del Sur, during an inter-school band competition while they were in college. His mother Dolly is an engineer at  the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) while his father Cerlito is a retired overseas Filipino worker (OFW) in Papua New Guinea and has a small store in Cebu. — VDV, GMA Integrated News