PhilPop Music Festival Keeps OPM Alive and Kicking -- The Next Big Filipino Songwriter to be Named on July 14!

 POTATO ON THE GO (Music):

I'll start this post with the question I asked to Mr. Ryan Cayabyab and his consequent answer during the presscon of Philippine Pop Music Festival at Resorts World Manila.  I asked, Mr. C, how's the Filipino music today.  Mr. C answered, "It's very diverse, very creative, buhay na buhay (very alive)!"  And everyone at the venue, including me, applauded Mr. C.'s remark.

While foreign music and performers still flood the airwaves and concert scenes in the country, our very own Filipino music artists strive to keep OPM (Original  Pilipino Music) alive.  Thanks to the Pinoy bands, new breed of musicians and young composers.  But the industry knows that while there are artists who keep the Filipino music alive, they still need a boost from all sectors, hence the birth of the 1st Philippine Popular Music Festival!

1st Philippine Popular Music Festival Opens Its Doors to All Filipino Songwriters

POTATO ON THE GO BULLETIN (MUSIC):

First there was Metropop.  Then Himig Handog followed.  And then there was silence (for original creations).  Covers or revivals somehow dominated the local music scene.  But don't get me wrong, the covers / revivals fill me up, stave off my hunger, but as an avid admirer of Original Pilipino Music (OPM), I crave for new compositions.

That's why I was happy to witness when Metropop was revived and Himig Handog was created several years ago.  But for reasons I am not aware of, they both went off the air.  And as they bid goodbye to their fans, reality competitions emerged.  There are competitions for aspiring singers, dancers, actors, models, bands, chefs, even children wanting to be chefs but what happened with the search for songwriters?

With a local music scene widely dominated by imported music, the Filipino songwriter has become a stranger in his own land.

But once again, am happy to hear that a new search has been launched!  Prominent names from various industries have come together to spearhead the creation of the Philippine Popular Music Festival or PhilPOP!