What we can do for OPM
Regine Velasquez-Alcasid is set to perform in "Silver," her concert tonight, Nov. 16, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. This is an event that not only celebrates a career milestone, but also one rare spectacle in recent months, if not years—an actual, major solo OPM concert from a top artist.
This is definitely a most welcome development, given the overkill of foreign acts that have performed and will mount tour stops in the country.
While we rejoice that Regine has bucked the trend, at least in the meantime, and staged a concert sure to be one of her best given that it celebrates her 25th year in the business, we cannot ignore what has become of the OPM concert scene.
The glory days
I vividly remember those days in the 80s and 90s when Gary Valenciano, Martin Nievera, Zsa Zsa Padilla, Regine, and other OPM luminaries would each mount at least two concerts a year and fill to the rafters such venues as the Araneta Coliseum, ULTRA or Cuneta Astrodome.
And every one of the SRO crowd would embrace their songs, singing along heartily like there was no tomorrow.
Nowadays, rarely do we hear original new songs from these artists. Instead, these incredible OPM legends have become just weekly fare on Sunday variety shows.
Dancing 'Gangnam Style' to get noticed
With the catchy songs gone and the mainstream record industry in the doldrums (if not close to dead), people have turned to YouTube or (legal and illegal) downloads to get their music fix.
Pinoy teens are more likely to scream their lungs out to Korean stars like Bigbang or Super Junior than call out the names of current Pinoy music stars such as…well, Julie Ann San Jose? Daniel Padilla? Okay, maybe Sarah Geronimo. But it's a long way from when names would roll off the tongue easily: Gary, Martin, Zsa Zsa, and Regine.
We will never say OPM is dead. Artists are sprouting everywhere and continue to perform and record songs. The problem is, their voices are drowned out by the songs of Justin Bieber, Rihanna, Chris Brown or Carly Rae Jepsen. They don't get the spotlight or attention they deserve. If they do, it's because they've either danced or done a version of "Gangnam Style" or shot a parody of "Call Me Maybe."
How to give Filipino artists a chance
Solving this problem is not easy. But we can start by simply giving Filipino artists a chance.
1. If you are a music enthusiast, try to listen to Johnoy Danao's songs or catch a gig of Urbandub to find out what you're missing.
2. If you work in the music industry, check out the new talent live and online and promote and nurture them.
3. If you're a senator or a congressman, protect musicians and OPM artists with better intellectual property initiatives and royalty mechanisms.
4. And, if you're a well-meaning businessman, invest in OPM—create an agency to train talents or setup a music label to publish their work.
Yes, talents abound. They are just waiting for us to do our share.
