What do you think of Filipino music or that so-called OPM?

Question

I mean Filipino music in general like its development, its history, its influences,etc.... What about its general impact? What are the problems of the Philippine music industry? How can they be solved?

Thanks a lot

Answer 1

I enjoy OPM music. I don't see any problems really. You can get most any CD that you are looking for. I still like River Maya, Bamboo, and Paulo Santos though I wish he would just be himself and not try to be hip with the hair bleach. I also liked MYMP before the girl decided to become more of a solo artist, but I guess thats where the pesos are.

Anyway there are lots of new bands and artists coming out all the time. I prefer the bands like Session Road.. FHM also did a big write up a few months ago listing the top 100 upcoming OPM aritists. (100 coming up is a lot)

The only problem I see is lack of global exposure, but then if OPM music went global most of the artists would be overseas most of the time and we wouldn't get to see them. Also Star Flower, an up and coming local band from Baguio has a concert at UP Baguio this weekend I think. Check them out. They have sort of a Jazzy Ska beat going, but very original. Salamat

Answer 2

The kind of music we had before was limited to the topic LOVE. That's why we have this harana, kundiman - so slow, so sweet, so emotional! We also had this folk and novelty songs which emerged from the working class developed merely to entertain. Before the 70's, most of our music are merely adaptations of popular English songs. Because that time, the typical Pinoy youths' attention are focused on personalities - the likes of Elvis, the Beatles, etc.

A level of national consciousness was reached starting early 70s. Probably due to the influence of the age of aquarius generation, again the Pinoy youth carried the banner of introducing changes in the already becoming boring culture. Music themes didn't only center on love, but also on the life in reality thing per se.

To make long story short, the quality of OPM we are having depicts the type of life the Pinoy youth is experiencing, how they look at it and how they think about it.

Answer 3

Filipino music is full of soul, so to speak. A love song is truly a romantic ballad. Its general impact on the emotional side is truly big. In fact a friend of mine tried to translate a Filipino song to a British nat'l and the latter almost puked because it's too mushy or too corny for them.

Music industry problems? I don't know any.

Answer 4

HERE'S YOUR KEY...

Mabuhay Records (Mabuhay Recording Company), a.k.a. Villar Records, were one of the pioneers of Filipino music commercialization. The Company has evolved from a recording entity to a broadcasting network trendsetters. They are now known as Mareco Broadcasting Network, operating in Quezon City, Philippines under the supervision of Louie Villar and siblings, the 3rd generation operators. They have a website (search google) with a format known as cross-over.

Delving now in history, the music, like all other nations - came from religious chants, then phasing to several evolutions. Read your Music 101.

As far as Filipino music is concerned, it is known for its "kundiman", also translated to "ballads" or music for romance and lovers. This type of music was predominantly accompanied by guitars, symbiotic to the Spaniards'. If you listen very carefully, these kundiman songs sounds almost alike as the hispanic love song rhythms.

Of course, Filipino music is not limited to just love songs. You can always search for more information about the music.

But as far as the overall current OPM - its quality remain substandard to mainstream; in comparison to its technical qualities and performance. Listen very well to all the CDs produced by OPM and you will notice the sound quality. As much as you'd like to enjoy listening, you will need to decrease the volume to mute-out the unnecessary noises.

OPM, personally, has also been delineated and restricted to a very limited choices. The range of performances may only be accepted up to a passive point of listenership and not interactively measured.

I'm sure my answer will be very unpopular to many; but hey, it's the truth. I've been through this industry myself for many years - and frankly, as much as I want the OPM to move up the scale, everything still hinges on how much the producers and the performers are willing to stretch their mark of accomplishments that can truly be called "world class".

Answer 5

I think nothing wrong with the Filipino music. All music made by Filipino are just the out come of what are they're feeling. They are still good. Although I know some filipno doesn't appriciate our own music for me it's the best.

I know that you know all the music were made because of what's happening in their lives. If they're broken hearted of course they're song will be more of like about sad songs.

So I can there is nothing wrong in Filipino music. The problems are the people listening not the music.

Answer 6

Original Pilipino Music (frequently abbreviated to OPM) originally referred only to Filipino pop songs, especially those in the ballad form; such as songs popularized by major and commercial Filipino Pop artists like Ryan Cayabyab, Sharon Cuneta, Martin Nievera, Rey Valera, and APO Hiking Society. In the passage of time as well as the development of many diverse musical styles in the Philippines, however, the term OPM now refers to any type of music produced in the Philippines or composed by Filipinos, regardless of their location during the time when they composed it. The lyrics may be in any language.

"Anak: is one OPM that has left its mark not only in Philippines but in other Asian Country especially in Malaysia. Another song is "Beautiful Girl," wherein a lot of people think that the singer is fron Hongkong.

Sometimes I get surprise when I hear a familiar filipino song, being sang by a Malaysian singer.

Maybe the biggest problem in Philippine music industry is the copycat mindset of our singer and composer. Or maybe because of the brain drain of what to write and sing about. It is also the mindset of the listener who thinks that only western song is worth listening to.

How can it be solved? Extreme difficulty. We need another Freddie Aguilar who composes meaningful and unique tunes. Or Apo Hiking Society who sings song that are light and easy but meaningful. A band that can compete in the international arena. Maybe another Jose Mari Chan that even my Malaysian borther-in-law knows the song "Beautiful Girl" even though he thought that the singer is from HK.

OPM doesn't need another singer or band copying the western band. The industry need someone who is unique and who does not conform to what the masses "seems" to want.

But then again, it's just what I think.

Answer 7

It nice and cool. Main problem in the Philippines music industry is still red tape from governing government offices. Corruptions are wide spead. To control this, official from the local music industries should joined hands and report all corrupt government officials to the authorities.

Answer 8

ditto to lizeth garcia... she has indeed said it all...

but in my part, i grew up in the 70's... i still remember the very first song that startled the whole philippine community... making the most impact in the philippine music industry... it didn't win in the music festival, it only place third... but it was the starting point of OPM... the song created by Freddie Aguilar, "ANAK"... that was the turning point... then hotdog, sampaguita, mike hanopol, etc... rock the pinoy music scene... in the provinces, pinoys went agog with songs made by imelda papin, claire, eva eugenio, didith reyes, maricris bermont, etc... (the so-called "bakya crowd then, the "masa" now)... also, not to be outdone, hajji alejandro, rico j. puno, rey valera, anthony castelo, gary bautista... they went for the collegiate level and BOOM.... the OPM boom started.... APO, Florante, and yes, even Tito, Vic and Joey, contributed more. yoyoy villame, vincent daffalong, george javier, they were the novelty belters then... the 70's... the 80's went soft due to the MTV era (michael jackson, madonna, duran duran, spandau ballet, boy george and the culture club, etc...) and OPM slowed down. Martin Nievera, Gary Valenciano, Joey Albert, Sharon Cuneta, Zsa-Zsa Padilla, Kuh Ledesma, etc... they tried to keep opm afloat and at par with the competition and so far are at equal footing... the 90's were more hip-hop with the likes of Janno, Ogie, Regine, Jaya, Jessa, Rachel Alejandro... these were the prime movers... the 2000's are now more of "Band Type" (Parokya, Cueshe, Freestyle, etc...).

it's impact? it depends on the current genre's fad. the 70's were more disco-type, sweet emotional music era. the 80's were more beltin', poppin' sound. the 90's went soulful, jazzy, hip-hop style... 2000's, rocks bands... you tell me... actually, the listeners judge which are hot off the charts. it's more like "what tickles my fancy, what tickles yours, what's their's? and we'll all follow.

the problem? we have evolve from type to type... from one form to another, we apply to all genre's musicality. gone were the days when what is in lieu abroad, we copy it... the styles are now more like, give us your best and we shall adhere your calling. produce us good sound, we would listen. however, the influx of talent is so enourmous that sometimes we tire of one group and hop on to the other. mostly, a band is good for three albums, a few hits, and years later, they disband.... piracy? c'mon... once you put in the net, it'll be downloaded by anyone, compress all the hits, and voila, a new cd in the market is born...

how to solve them? hell, hack and chop all pc's and you'll solve this piracy thing. disbandment? well, they have to grow as musicians for them to persevere. let them graze other pastures too. things aren't easy when you're a musician but the music you made created a plug and help survive this OPM sound - THE MANILA SOUND....


"manila, manila...
i'm coming home to manila,
simply no place like manila,
manila i'm coming home

i've walk the streets of san francisco,
i've made the rides in disneyland,
dated a million girls in sydney,
promise like i don't belong..

hinahanap-hanap kita manila
ang ingay mong kay sarap sa tainga
ang mga jeepney mong nagliliparan
ang mga babae mong nagagandahan
take me back in your arms manila....



i'm coming home to stayyyy...."

Answer 9

I do like OPM esp during the 1970's like "Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika", "Anak", "Nakapagtataka", "Isang Mundo, Isang Awit". It's the best decade in OPM era.

Answer 10

pipino music is the best , and the music piracy is at its peak, this is the main reason why music industry is not making money and this cant be solved as long is poverty exist in our country.