by aLfie vera mella
Many Filipinos go traditional or old Pop mode when they hear the term OPM. They think that OPM refers only to the likes of Kuh Ledesma, Basil Valdez, Aiza Seguerra, Rey Valera, Ogie Alcasid, and Regine Velasquez. This is erroneous. They are actually focusing only on one of the many types of music that comprise the entire OPM.
What Comprises OPM
Original Pilipino Music, Original Filipino Music, or Original Philippine Music—or what is popularly known as OPM—is any form or kind of music written, composed, arranged, or reinterpreted primarily by any person who has a Filipino descent. By that definition, OPM then encompasses all Filipino songs, music, composition, cover versions and other reinterpretations—whatever genre this work may be classified. Therefore, OPM refers not only to the Pop of the artists/singers exampled above but, in fact, technically to anything whose primary creator is a Filipino—from the rocking and headbanging works of Juan Dela Cruz Band, Maria Cafra, The Dawn, Afterimage, Introvoys, Gelboys, Eraserheads, Alamid, Rivermaya, Parokya ni Edgar, Rizal Underground, Orange and Lemons, Aegis, Kabaong ni Kamatayan, Third World Chaos, Slapshock, General Luna; to the political/environmental-oriented Folk of Gary Granada, Joey Ayala, Asin, WUDS; sappiest Pop ballads of Eddie Peregrina, Victor Wood, Imelda Papin, Sharon Cuneta, Jose Mari Chan; danceable Hip-hop of Francis Magalona, Andrew E., Mastaplann, Death Threat, and Pamilia Dimagiba; to the novelty ditties of Yoyoy Villame, Vincent Daffalong, and Lito Camo; to the traditional folk music like “Paru-parong Bukid,” “Tinikling,” and “Mutya ng Pasig” and classical/instrumental works of Levi Celerio, Eddie Katindig, John Lesaca, and Perfecto de Castro; and even cover renditions of foreign works as recorded by MYMP, Charice Pempengco, and 6cyclemind. In simple words—as long as the chief songwriter, composer, re-arranger, or re-interpreter is of Filipino descent, the musical work should be regarded as OPM.
OPM Pop Legends in Winnipeg
(March 14, 2015, Club Regent Event Centre)
Speaking of Filipino artists whose kind of OPM is Pop, Winnipeg is soon to witness a concert featuring some of the enduring performers in the said category. On March 14, four legendary Filipino Pop singers will stage a concert at Club Regent Event Centre—Rico J. Puno, Hajji Alejandro, Marco Sison, and Eva Eugenio. Each of these OPM legends has its own trademark styles which were what endeared them to many Filipino music lovers. Puno’s classics include “Macho Guwapito” and “Kapalaran”; Alejandro, “Kayganda ng Ating Musika” and “Nakapagtataka”; Marco Sison, “Si Aida, si Lorna, o si Fe” and “Isusumbong Kita sa Diyos”; and Eugenio, “Tukso” and “Minamahal Kita, Minamahal Mo Siya.”
OPM Pop Legends is brought to us by Philippine Canadian Guardians Brotherhood Inc. in cooperation with RJP Entertainment Productions. Local Filipino-Canadian band haLf man haLf eLf will be opening the show. For ticket details: Dennis Castañeda (204-963-7868) and Ernesto Ofiaza (204-801-6051.
