Offshore Music Signs Rising Soul Artist Paco Pastor
The 19-year-old singer-songwriter is the latest addition to the growing roster of artists under Ely Buendia’s independent record label.
Courtesy of Offshore Music
Courtesy of Offshore Music
Offshore Music welcomes Manila-based rising soul/pop artist Paco Pastor to its growing roster of artists.
The 19-year-old singer-songwriter aspires to carve his own path in the local music scene while staying true to his musical identity, which leans toward soul.
“There are so many aspects to me as an artist that it really isn’t just one color,” Pastor shares in an interview. Pastor cites his influences, particularly female artists such as Sade, Nectar Woode, and Olivia Dean, whose artistry inspires him to tap into his feminine persona in his craft.
Pastor also turns to his best friend, Alysha, who encouraged him to pursue a music career, saying, “Being on stage or performing [was] never one of my dreams. But I always knew that I did love music, but performing up there? Not a chance… Until [Alysha] came into my life.”
Additionally, having supportive parents, who are both artists, encouraged him to pursue this journey with confidence. As he recalled, his mother told him, “If you didn’t make good music, we wouldn’t have let you go down this path at all. Good thing you really are our child.”
He finally embraced live performances after making his debut with a full band at one of Offshore Music’s self-produced gig nights. He jammed with music veterans through his management team at Waddle House Manila before eventually signing with OPM icon Ely Buendia’s music label.
“[Paco] was someone we wanted to develop and explore,” Artist & Repertoire (A&R) Manager of Offshore Music, Dani Mendoza, reveals. Mendoza notes that Pastor is the full package in terms of his brand, performance, and music.
“To Offshore Music’s very core, we have always been music first and champions of those [musicians] who need the support to put their music out there. It was easy to make that decision then and there,” she adds.
In 2025, Pastor released his debut single, “There Somehow,” which was followed by his four-track debut EP, Gotta Be. That same year, he also released the tender Christmas track, “Hey Dear.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Paco Pastor is a 19-year-old Manila-based singer-songwriter whose sound leans toward soul with pop influences. He cites artists like Sade, Nectar Woode, and Olivia Dean as inspirations, and describes his musical identity as spanning multiple styles rather than a single genre lane.
Offshore Music, the label founded by OPM icon Ely Buendia, signed Paco Pastor to its artist roster. A&R Manager Dani Mendoza said the label wanted to develop and explore Pastor’s potential, citing his strength across brand, performance, and music.
In 2025, Paco Pastor released his debut single “There Somehow,” followed by his four-track debut EP “Gotta Be.” He also released a Christmas single, “Hey Dear,” the same year, marking his first full year of output since signing.
Paco Pastor cites primarily female soul and R&B artists as influences, naming Sade, Nectar Woode, and Olivia Dean. He has said their artistry encourages him to tap into a more feminine persona within his own songwriting and performance.
Paco Pastor made his live debut with a full band at one of Offshore Music’s self-produced gig nights. He had been reluctant to perform live until his best friend Alysha encouraged him, and he trained with music veterans through management team Waddle House Manila.
