Original Pilipino Music

There are too many music and sounds that are in trend in the Philippines like Gangnam style and Gentleman of Psy, Just give me a reason by Pink and many more. But do you still know our own music? Most of us are in favour of international songs which are composed and sung by international singers. Sometimes, I asked myself, “why most of us prefer those songs over our own music?” “Why do we patronage other nation’s songs and music even though we do not understand what it means?”

For me, Original Pilipino Music, also known as OPM, is much better than any international songs. Beside from the reason that we can easily understand OPM, it is better than any international songs because our own countrymen composed and sung this music.  Patronage of our own music shows patriotism, and support for our own talented bands, singers, and composers. Some of the well known bands, individuals, and composers that started and popularized OPM are Ryan Cayabyab, Nonoy Suñiga, Rey Valera, Rico J. Puno, Eraserheads and etc. An example of a popular OPM is “Tuwing Umuulan at Kapiling Ka”, a winner in 18^th Awit Awards, Best Musical Arrangement on May 25, at the AFP theatre Quezon City Philippines. This shows how excellent OPM is.

We cannot say that OPM is “baduy” because since 1950’s, OPM are consistent from its competency to the music internationally worldwide. But since Filipino started to adopt international songs and music, the OPM started to lose its popularity to the Filipinos. Well, it’s not too late to revive our very own music; there are still a lot of bands, individuals, and composers who are still in OPM. Lets patronage our own music! Long live OPM!