A Trip Down Memory Lane with Music Travel Love

I’m a lecturer at a state university. This time of the year, the semester is already wrapping up, and grades must be computed. But when a former student — who learned I fangirl at The Moffatts so hard when I bumped into him at these brothers’ farewell concert nine years ago — messaged me about Music Travel Love’s show, I just knew I couldn’t resist. 

Never mind that I haven’t completed half of my class records. Or that I was burning with fever that day. 

I had to go.

And it was a decision I did not regret. 

I arrived at the Newport Theater an hour before showtime, had a quick snack, and made myself comfortable in my seat. I was stationed only a few meters away from the stage, and my inner child beamed with excitement. The artists that I adored from my teenage days would be right in front of me soon, and I couldn't count the number of times I thanked the heavens for this opportunity.

I watched the steady stream of folks who also shuffled inside the theater. As expected, they were my age. Most were millennials who now have the purchasing power to enjoy the entertainment they deserve. They are the same admirers who did not forget to whom they pledged their loyalties. 

I am certain that, like me, the women in the crowd were once girls who decorated their rooms with posters of the four Moffatts, memorized their lengthy names like their weekly school allowances depended on it, and stanned them so much they must have dreamt of marrying one of the guys someday.

As I felt my smile from ear to ear, I realized how I was already tripping down memory lane... and the show hadn't even started!

Setting the vibe

At around 8.30 p.m., excited screams from the crowd jolted the rest of the audience into attention. 

The theater was dark, but a few people started walking to the front seats, and some of the fans recognized them as those who had performed with Music Travel Love in their YouTube videos. 

On cue, the spotlight turned on, and the stage came to life with Bob and Clint Moffatt — both clad in a comfortable shirt, jeans, and a baseball cap. Bob had his cap turned back, as if telling the crowd it was a way to distinguish him from the other Moffatt beside him, who was practically his mirror. Acoustic guitars hung from their shoulders, and the night's serenade started in that instant.

It was a night filled with nostalgia, soft giggles, spontaneous cheers, and a lot of group singing, with the musical duo at the helm. Their artistry was on full display as they deftly strummed and transposed keys on their guitars, and effortlessly crooned their setlist. 

I can feel my eyes well up with glee with every soulful rendition of a classic or contemporary favorite. From John Denver's “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” The Beatles' “Let it Be,” and Ben E. King's “Stand by Me” to Michael Learns to Rock's “Sleeping Child,” Ed Sheeran's “Perfect” and Keith Whitley's “When You Say Nothing At All,” there was nothing in the line up that a music-loving Filipino couldn’t sing along to. 

Indeed, it was a perfect Sunday night jam that soothed the senses and readied the audience for the week ahead: something comforting, relaxing, and worth the recollection, as if assuring the listeners that everything's gonna be okay.

It was amazing, to say the least. And watching Bob and Clint perform and enjoy the way the crowd engaged with their act fueled the fire of happiness that was already very bright within me. 

They might have changed their stage name to be more representative of who they are and what they do now, but they're still the guys we went gaga over in the yesteryears.

Nothing’s ever going to change that.

Sharing the stage

Music Travel Love, the musical project by Bob and Clint, is known for collaborations with well-known and budding artists, and their YouTube channel is a testament to this. 

Interestingly, these captivating collabs found their way to the concert as Bob and Clint welcomed guest performers on stage: Anthony Uy, Sheridan Brass, Francis Greg, and Bugoy Drilon. While they had their group performances with Music Travel Love, these artists were also given their own moments in the spotlight. 

It was such a nice gesture from the duo to consciously tap local talent and give them the chance to show off their skills to a bigger crowd.

Of course, the night wouldn't be over without having another Moffatt brother onstage.

When Clint said they've known their last guest for 42 years now, the audience knew it was Dave Moffatt's turn to share the stage with his siblings. More excited shrieks emanated from the crowd as the triplets sang some of their most popular hits as The Moffatts: “If Life is So Short,” “Girl of My Dreams,” and the song that topped 90s Manila's airwaves for six weeks (Clint's words) — “I Miss You Like Crazy.” 

With no prodding needed, the entire Newport Theater was singing along to the saccharine love song, proof that this was a definite highlight of their youthful days.

Same old charm

Music Travel Love may have shifted Bob and Clint’s musical identities into something more subdued and laidback, and they are interweaving their songs and music videos with astounding sceneries from the world over, but the Moffatts bros — albeit just half of the group now — retained the charisma that they had when they were teenagers who rocked their instruments and belted their hearts out. 

Now, their admission that Filipinos have contributed monumentally to the success of their new endeavor endeared the fans more to them, and the support is apparent in the duo’s well-attended three-city Philippine tour (they were in CDO, then Cebu, prior to Manila).

Bob and Clint closed the set with a heartwarming song about the country, titled "Delightful Philippines." First-time listeners could easily identify world-renowned tourist spots in the lyrics, blending majestically with the brothers' soothing voices. In the background, their music video played, beautifully highlighting picturesque views that depicted the gem that is the Philippines.

Beholding their dedication made me imagine tagging our national tourism office in their clip, just to show how modern-day promotions are effectively done.

After that, the brothers walked around the stage, waved eagerly to the fans, and disappeared behind the heavy curtains. 

As the lights dimmed and the Music Travel Love logo lingered on the screen, I smiled to myself as I committed to memory the more mature (yet still very attractive!) faces of Bob and Clint, and how an hour and a half of serenades from them would get me through the next month. 

In that dark room illuminated by blinding spotlights, I was 13 once again. And there was nothing a good loop of my crushes' music couldn't fix.

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Words by Jessa Bien-Munsayac

Photos courtesy of Concert Republic and Kris Rocha

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