From the Deck to the Viewfinder There’s No Stopping DJ Coki

To be a superb DJ who is chosen to represent a whole nation in a competition held outside of it is one thing; but, to take your talent and apply it to an entirely new industry is something quite different. This, in a nutshell, is what the internationally acclaimed turntablist DJ Coki is all about.

We were able to reach DJ Coki for a quick chat about everything from competing in DMC in 2001 in London to DJing the biggest noon time show in the Philippines to launching a whole new business in photography. Even with his packed schedule, especially now that the pandemic has lessened, events are picking back up again, and of all, what’s a party without some photos? The photobooth, DJ Coki’s latest commercial venture, comes into play.

The photobooth business has been in operation for ten years, and what began as a simple notion with his wife has grown into a thriving business. There’s no stopping DJ Coki now, from celebrities being photographed to large brand clientele partnerships. Just like DJ Coki who has been DJing since 1994, there is no overnight success; it takes time to perfect whatever you want. So, throughout our conversation, we wanted to know how he got started in the photobooth business from Djing. Definitely humble, and appears shy at first. We also discovered his musical tastes, which is rather surprising.

Being a world-class DJ who represented the Philippines in DMC and a successful entrepreneur in photography. Can you tell us how you got into the business?
Basic thing na nung nagdi-DJ ako eh napabili ng DSLR camera, then nakakita ako sa isang birthday party na may photobooth, and dun ko naisip na mukhang maganda yung ganung raket hihihihi

In three words, describe a typical DJ Coki performance.
Kailangan masaya crowd

Name a record that you can listen to five times in a row without getting bored, and explain why.
Madami eh, pero siguro I’ll go with Feeling so Good ni JLo. Nakakapagbigay sya ng goodvibes energy sa akin.
Sa DJing naman nandyan yung Invasion of the Octopus People by DJQbert, feel ko gumagaling ako kapag nadidinig ko yun hahaha

How long have you been in business with the photobooth? Was there anything that stood in your way when you first started out, and how did you overcome it?
February 25, 2012, ten years na pala, hahaha. Wala naman, everything came smooth kasi nung una inisip naming mag-asawa na part time raket lang naman sya eh since may job naman ako sa TV

Without a question, you’re a phenomenal DJ; what kind of skill set have you developed through DJing that you can implement to your photography business?
Salamat, pero naku mukhang wala naman ako masyado skills na nadevelop sa DJing hahaha… with the help of my wife, siguro yung idea na galingan mo lang mga bagay na ginagawa mo then everything will fall into right place.

Check out the Photobooth here.