Elmo Magalona and Hardware Syndrome bring Freeman Legacy to Naga

By Ryan Mostar

Original Pinoy Music will once again take the spotlight this October as the Freeman Legacy Tour Concert arrives at The Tent, Avenue Plaza Hotel on October 11, 2025. The show reunites the band Hardware Syndrome, now led by Elmo Magalona, son of the late Francis M., with a special performance from Stiff Lu of Rizal Underground.

The 1990s were a defining era for OPM. It was a decade when Francis Magalona and Hardware Syndrome broke musical barriers, weaving together a daring mix of genres that became the soundtrack of a generation. Their music gave voice to Filipino youth culture, a legacy that continues to inspire even today.

Three decades later, that same spirit is rekindled through the Freeman Legacy Tour—a tribute to Francis M.’s artistry, message, and enduring influence. With Elmo Magalona stepping in as vocalist, the concert becomes both a remembrance and a renewal, linking past and present through the rhythm of legacy.

Presented by RBSB x Rise Above Production, the concert carries four purposes: to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Freeman album; to give audiences a live performance that is at once nostalgic and new; to celebrate OctoberFest with a showcase of iconic OPM; and to reinforce the role of legacy concerts in strengthening Filipino cultural and musical identity.

Yet the night promises to be more than just a stage for artists and fans. The Freeman Legacy Tour is also a benefit event, with part of its proceeds going to the Ateneo de Naga University Bahay ng Alumni, a project of the ADNU General Alumni Association. Every ticket purchased is both a pass to a night of music and a contribution to community building.

Tickets are priced at ₱2,500 for VIP, which includes assigned seating, dinner, and two beers. Patron tickets, priced at ₱1,500, will be available on a first-come, first-served basis and include one beer. For Ateneo alumni, exclusive bundles are also available: buy ten VIP tickets and receive one free, or purchase five Patron tickets and enjoy one free seat.

Organizers describe the concert as a rare opportunity to remember the past, celebrate the present, and invest in the future. For those who grew up with Francis M.’s music—or for anyone who simply wishes to be part of an evening where music, memory, and meaning come together—The Tent will be the place to be this October.