Music

Beloved Cartimar CD Shopkeeper “Mang Greg” Passes Away

Known for his infectious knowledge of music and physical media, his stall in Cartimar Shopping Center offered more than just records, but also joy and connection

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mang greg in cd store in cartimar
Screenshot from Recto Records, directed by Jego Rafael (YouTube)

Greg Chua, affectionately known as Mang Greg — owner of a cherished CD shop inside Cartimar Shopping Center in Recto Avenue — has reportedly passed away. 

According to a Facebook post by CD enthusiast Michael Capuno, which has been widely shared online, Chua died before the New Year due to gallbladder-related health complications. 

For nearly nine years, Chua’s stall was a haven for music enthusiasts, offering a range of physical media, including CDs, DVDs, tape cassettes, vinyl records, and even books, at affordable prices. According to a short documentary by Inquirer.net, following the closure of an appliance shop in Avenida where the late Chua worked, Mang Greg opened his record store after pondering what he wanted to do for the rest of his life. 

“Ang motibo ko dito, gusto ko masaya ang tao. Hindi profit ang hinahabol ko,” Chua said in the documentary.

Screenshot from Recto Records, directed by Jego Rafael (YouTube)

His selection spanned a range of music genres from slow rock, new wave, and metal rock to disco, pop, and R&B, among many others. He noted that his personal favorites were from the ‘50s and ‘60s era of music, such as Ella Fitzgerald, Carmen McRae, and Sarah Vaughan. Chua’s deep knowledge and personalized recommendations have endeared patrons — many of whom have paid tributes to him online.

“Your legacy lives on forever, Mang Greg,” wrote user Noelle Capili-Ruiz on Facebook. “Salamat dahil pinakita mo sa isang weirdong college student (ako) ang magagandang libro at musika!” 

In 2024, another short documentary titled Recto Records, directed by Jego Rafael, explored a day in the life of Chua’s record store, which, he admitted, was his only source of income. The film was part of the 2024 TAMDokyu Fest and the first-ever Dokyumentado, the Film Development Council of the Philippines’ documentary film festival. 

The legacy of Mang Greg’s CD shop is expected to continue under new management, as his partner has indicated plans to keep the stall operational, according to the Facebook post by Capuno.

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