“Artist. Go-getter. Partyphile.” In a nutshell, this is Mei Bastes. Having popularized Meiday since 2008, being credited with helping to make “indie” or “independent” bands more appealing to the mainstream palate by giving them primetime slots in her self-named production, Mei Bastes is considered something of a minor hero by musicians and music lovers alike.

Having done the rounds of the party circuit, doing everything to make her events successful (including paying out of pocket) Mei Bastes has thought about not going back to the limelight she used to live in. With her myriad contributions to the now successful indie music scene of Manila, many will say that she put up an undeniable effort to create a stronger foundation for Original Pilipino Music--at least in the underground. After having been a comforting venue for underground and independent artists for four years, Meiday took its final exit. It saddened a lot of music fans, considering that it was the ultimate free rock show/party. Mei’s brainchild became one of the most talked-about parties in Manila.
But her love for putting up parties for music enthusiasts continued even after the last Meiday, jumpstarting Dope MNL, Fete de la Musique, Popfest, and the Ang Nawawala After Party happen. These big events were living the spirit of Meiday, so in true Meiday fashion, they were also personally funded by Mei herself.

Just like everyone else, she admits she’s tasted both the bitter and sweet taste of life; according Mei, the limelight shone too bright, the fire of popularity burned her and the only way she could save herself was to leave.

“Sometimes the only way to win is to give up.”

All she really wanted was to live a happy and a tranquil life: to win is not tantamount to happiness, and perhaps not everything is worth the fight.

Mei recalls that when she started Meiday, she didn’t expect it to get so big that people would actually start to pry into her personal life. Putting up Meiday for her own brand of happiness was not only financially draining, it seemed to her that it cost her life, for which she is still paying the price.

Speaking realistically, the local music scene will still go on without Mei. Newer indie productions have been popping up left and right, gradually relegating Meiday to a fond, yet distant, memory.

To lose the things one cares about and yet remain passionate about them takes a toll on someone—at one point, “My life changed direction and I had to go down a path where I couldn’t turn back.”

Faced with the choice of genuine happiness versus fame, she decided to go home, maintaining a hopeful and firm attitude about her decision not to go back. Saying she’s tired of the ungrateful atmosphere that started to shroud her productions when they started to sour, she decided she had enough of controversy.

Mei declares: all she ever wanted was peace of mind and the full life that every person deserves.

And with this decision, she finally has it.