Here’s to a champ

MANILA, Philippines - Champ Lui Pio, former frontman and guitarist of the band Hale, was at a crossroads two years ago. But instead of being daunted by the unknown, he rose to the challenge and took a leap of faith.

“When Hale disbanded,” Pio shares, “I decided to embrace change and evolve. I’m a very idealistic person. And I used to get really excited about things. When I embarked on my new journey, I found that drive for life again.” The journey wasn’t always easy but as Pio puts it, “Sometimes you need to feel lost in order to be found.”

Professionally, Pio has since embarked on a solo career. “When I first decided to be a solo artist I wanted to be able to tell myself that I could do it on my own. But now I’ve found a bigger purpose. More than just performing, I felt I was called to help new musicians develop as artists. That’s how my company, Mecca Music was born.” Rising star Somedaydream was the first to sign under Mecca Music. Young artist Luigi D’Avola also recently signed with the group and the three collaborated on a major project earlier this year.

Pio also leveled up on a personal level. For one thing, he is now a fire volunteer at the Muntinlupa Fire Station. “I was looking for more meaning in my life. One day, I just got up and walked straight to the fire station.” As a volunteer, he received training and now suits up with the rest of the firemen. “It’s fun to play superhero,” he says, “but what’s more important is the fulfillment I get from helping people.”

Pio also started the Treehouse Daycare Program. “It’s an offshoot of my volunteer work at the fire station,” he says. “We come every Saturday afternoon and spend time with the kids. We invite people to volunteer and the first batch of volunteers was actually made up of Hale fans. But since then the word has spread and everything just grew from there.”

As part of its “Make It Work” campaign, Memo, the leading casual workwear brand for men and women, pays tribute to individuals like Champ Lui Pio who exemplify positivism and the can-do attitude amidst the challenges they face to make it work.

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