Can You Sing the Truth About OPM?

Music is one of the best ways to communicate, to connect with everyone and to relate with the people. Through music, we are able to express ourselves, lock ourselves in our own little world or awaken to the realities of life. Original Pinoy Music or Original Philippine Music or OPM as most calls it is just one part of the Filipino culture; they are the songs composed and sung in our own native language made by our men, but we ourselves tend to choose listening to international music over our very own songs. We neglected OPM just to go with what is popular today and as time go by, we are slowly forgetting this symbol of the Filipino people, nonetheless, weve caused it to wither and tardily die. We Filipinos have caused the death of our own music, the OPM. Justine Beiber, Nikki Minaj, Lady Gaga, Super Junior, Girls Generation---- these international artists have claimed the attention and captured the hearts of millions of Filipinos. Whatever happened to the Apo Hiking Society, Regine Velasquez, Gary Valenciano, Eraserheads and Rivermaya? Although some Filipinos still prefer OPM artists over international artist, many still get smitten by the international artists not because of their songs but because of their looks---flawless doll-like porcelain faces, ironed out and curled up hair and glamorous outfits----how would Filipino artists compete in the music industry with most people, especially those of this generation, judge others by their appearance? Whether one has brown skin, is of five feet of height, has black hair, with a flat nose or big eyes, no matter how a Filipino artist make look like, no one has the right to judge him or her, for he or she is the reason why we Filipinos could actually have a stand in the music industry and compete against other races. The music industry is not a beauty pageant but a battle of talents. This does not say that international artists are not talented, but it is merely a statement which says that a Filipino must prefer listening to OPM, for when you compare both types of music, no matter the genre, with the Philippine music, you would really internalize the whole message of the song through the lyrics and feel the emotions of the OPM artists; theres so much feeling that you would have actually have this hunch, thought or idea that the artist actually experienced what he or she is trying to convey through the song. With international music, sure theres feeling, up-beat music and good use of instruments, but it still lacks something. International music lacks the ability to convince people. How would you feel the real message of a song if you cant even understand their language? Yes, Filipinos do get carried away with the cool flow of some music and actually sing those songs even though they get their lyrics wrong, but what is the whole point of listening to music if you cant even understand it?

With lots of foreign nomads in our mother land, with the media and press covering international news and with the ongoing change of our already modernized world, Filipinos easily get influenced with what is big today. Theyve become succumbed to actually fit in with other races that theyve forgotten to be patriots of their own country. We Filipinos killed our own symbol for our culture so it is only right that we ourselves get over our colonial mentality and bring OPM back to life. Filipinos should really listen to OPM for it will not only give recognition to the artist himself but it would also surely give glory to our nation, out country, the Philippines.