Westdon Martin Abay was born in Manila, Philippines on April 5, 1971. He shares his birthdate with the President of the Philippines, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and the day when American rockstar Kurt Cobain of Nirvana killed himself in 1994. Popularly known as Dong Abay, he is a poet and a rock musician. He was the founding member, songwriter and lead vocalist of Filipino bands Yano and Pan which are now both defunct. He is now pursuing a career as an independent artist.