The Start of Something New
by Mica Aguila and Gian Rodriguez
Filipino pop music is more commonly known as Original Pilipino Music or in short OPM refers to the songs popularized in the Philippines in the early 60’s. These are traditional to modern original compositions of different Filipino artists who are passionate about their music.
In the early years of Filipino music, it was commonly used for religious activities or social norms of courting to win a woman’s heart. However, Awit and Kurido or Corrido are for musical shows of dances and songs that had a great impact on Filipino entertainments such as Kundiman. It was very romantic and had a mellow tune in which it became a hit and were interpreted as a way of expressing feelings and admiration for a special someone.
In the year 1970s, there were already a lot of famous singer- songwriters such as Ryan Cayabyab and Jose Mari Chan through his original compositions of love songs, he rose to stardom. The other pioneer pop groups of the same decade includes Manila sound groups APO Hiking Society and Hotdog.
During the mid 1990s until the present, the evolution of pop rock groups began. The band of Eraserheads was considered as the turning point in the OPM music scene. Other influential bands such as Yano, Siakol, Parokya ni Edgar, Grin Department, Rivermaya, Moonstar 88 and Hungry Young Poets’ style were a mix of pop and rock.
There are different genres of OPM, first is POP derived from the word popular and is originally referred as Philippine pop songs specifically the ballads. Second, Pinoy Rock is another genre produced by Filipinos. Wally Gonzales and Pepe Smith were acknowledged as Philippines’ First rock and roll evolution.
In the 1980’s folk-rock was initiated in the Philippines and Freddie Aguilar composed “Bayan Ko” which became the anthem during the 1986 Edsa Revolution. Third, Filipino Hip Hop or Pinoy Hip Hop were performed by various Filipino artists in a more aesthetic way which was more commonly known as Pinoy Rap. In the early 1980s, Francis Magalona was the Pinoy’s King of Rap.
In the 21st century, I believe OPM went through a struggle of making sales to the Filipino masses. It was harder for Filipinos to get access to OPM music; physical CDs were getting expensive, or it was only available in limited stores, or concerts weren’t accessible or affordable for them. However, with the advancement of the internet, especially with streaming such as Spotify; OPM has once again been available to the masses, and is more loved by the Filipinos more than ever.
GillsThoughts 