Meet the Philippines’ original female DJ Nina Saputil-Salvo

As a pioneer female deejay in the Philippines, Nina Saputil-Salvo, or DJ Nina, once led a life as frantic as the fast BPM songs she plays on her mixer.

“I had a residency in 2012 at top (Filipino) clubs Republiq and Opus. Mga bar na malalaki (huge bars)…from there, it didn’t take long for me to be booked (as a DJ) for corporate events,” she said.

“Naging suki ko na sila (they became my regular clients),” she said. The industry called her “The Corporate Queen”.

Every month, Saputil-Salvo was flown out to Cebu City to mix tunes as part of a club residency.

Her work also took her to festivals in Davao, Bacolod, Boracay, Iloilo, and Cebu City, sometimes doing DJ work four times a day.

She was dubbed as “The OG of Philippines’ Female DJ” scene, dominating the DJ world as one of the pioneer females in a male-dominated profession.

Saputil-Salvo was named as one of FHM Philippines’ 100 Sexiest Women, worked as an endorser of many products, and opened for Kanye and F1 fans at Singapore’s Grand Prix.

She guested on popular noon-time TV show “Eat Bulaga”.

“I had my time,” she said.

Saputil-Salvo kept up the breakneck pace for 15 years, but came to a point when she realized that “talagang pagod na ako” (I was really tired).

The late night work took a toll on her energy level.

She had also met a Filipino-Canadian, had gotten married, and had a child.

It was time for a change.

Humble Beginnings

Saputil-Salvo never intended to be a DJ.

Although she came from a musically-inclined family and can play multiple instruments like the piano, guitar and drums, she didn’t know how to mix songs on a mixer.

She learned how to DJ with the help of a barkada (friend).

She was spotted by an employee for a company who was looking for a DJ, and was hired quickly.

“Their event was huge,” she said.

The event was the Nestea Beach Volleyball in Boracay, and the exposure surprised Saputil-Salvo. All of a sudden she saw herself on billboards along EDSA, with well-known band Parokya ni Edgar and other popular artists Karylle, Derek Ramsay, and Philippine All Stars.

“Hindi pa ako magaling noon. Ako yung nahihiya.” (I wasn’t very good back then. I was ashamed.)

The exposure paved the way for her other jobs, which catapulted her to the top of the DJ scene.

The Pivot

During the pandemic, Saputil-Salvo transitioned her work by performing online at virtual parties and streaming platforms.

In March of 2021, she and her husband decided to take a break from beatmatching. They packed everything up and moved to Toronto with their daughter.

“Me pamilya na ako (I have a family now). I’m not young anymore,” she said.

It didn’t take long for her past to catch up to her, though.

After meeting with a friend who requested her services, Saputil-Salvo found that being a DJ again stirred something in her soul.

“Parang biglang nag-flashback ‘yung saya.” (It’s like a flashback of happiness)

“When I play the songs you want to hear, pag me nakakaindang (when someone is moved)—I’m so happy”.

Currently she’s a member of the MYX All-star DJs.

The BPM (Beats per minute) may have temporarily slowed down for DJ Nina, but the break could prove short-lived.

Her DJ set is being remixed: one that could potentially bring much happiness to the Filipinos in Canada craving music, beats, and memories from their motherland.