Ogie remains on a roll

As every songwriter knows and should definitely acknowledge, there is a certain time in one’s life when creativity reaches an almost feverish pitch and during which the songs just seem to keep on coming one after another without much effort. Ogie Alcasid is in such a period these days. Despite a tight schedule as an actor in films and TV and as a singer, Ogie still manages to write one beautiful song after another, not just for himself but for other artists as well. And I must say that it is to our advantage to treasure these compositions and to thank the heavens for the talented Ogie and all that he has been doing.

What is happening to Ogie is nothing new of course. We have seen this spate of creativity happen before. Many of you out there doubtless recall a time in the past when the best that Filipino music had to offer sounded like a George Canseco or a Willy Cruz monopoly. In the not too distant past it once seemed like it was Louie Ocampo alone who was making hits for Martin Nievera. And what about that period when we not only listened to the calming warmth of the vocals of Jose Mari Chan or Rey Valera who also wrote their own songs. Nowadays, the music and the voice come most of the time from Ogie Alcasid.

Bakit Ngayon Ka Lang, Kailangan Kita, Pangako, Kailangan Ko’y Ikaw, Sana and Pangarap Kong Ibigin Ka are some of Ogie’s most popular songs. Some he wrote for other artists, others he did for himself. As of this moment he is writing new songs for Sharon Cuneta, Piolo Pascual and Sarah Geronimo. Some weeks ago he released his new album titled Mga Kuwento ng Pag-ibig. It is made up of 15 of his own compositions, which means that as of this moment, he has 15 candidates for the hit charts.

Standouts are the bittersweet opening track Kayo Na Pala, Magpakailanpaman, his new duet with songbird Regine Velasquez plus his own versions of Kailangan Kita, first performed by Gary Valenciano and Regine’s Pangarap Ko ang Ibigin Ka. As the album title clearly says, the theme of the collection is love relationships. This is the topic that Ogie excels in. Although televiewers know him best as a comedian, there is no mistaking the fact that as far as his music is concerned, he is a hopeless romantic.

Panginoon, one of his rare inspirationals, ends the set but everything else in the album are love songs, anyone of which might make it as the theme of an upcoming movie or soap opera on television. So all of you out there in search of that all-important theme song, do check out Huwag Ka Lang Mawawala as this is the one in the lot that will best accompany a tear-filled melodrama. The other songs in the line-up are Kahit Na Malayo Ka, Kailan Ka Magiging Akin?, Di Ko Na Kayang Masaktan Pa, Pangako Ko Sa ‘yo, Ikaw Na Nga Kaya?, Lumilipad, Para Lang Sa ‘yo, Hindi Magbabago and Huwag Mong Iwan ang Puso.

The law of averages says that Ogie cannot remain as prolific as he is now for all time. Someday though, if somebody ever asks you what is the Filipino song that best reminds you of the early years of the new millennium, I am sure that one of those that will instantly come to mind is something composed by Ogie Alcasid. Bless the guy. Can you just imagine what it would be like if Ogie had not been around and you had to answer Spaghetti Song by those Sexbomb Girls or Can’t Lose You by F4.

Current Favorites

The current favorites among music-loving Pinoys are the following songs: Can’t Lose You by who else but those heartthrobs from Taiwan, F4; To Love You More, the winning song by Star for a Night champ Sarah Geronimo; Are You Happy Now, the latest by Michelle Branch; Mr. Swabe, the wacky new single by the very durable and I must say very creative Parokya ni Edgar; the ubiquitous Spaghetti Song by the Sexbomb Girls; If You’re Not the One by David Bedingfield; Addicted by Simple Plans; Hinahanap-hanap Kita, the new version of the Rivermaya hit by Regine Velasquez; You by Jim Brickman; and Passenger Seat by Stephen Speaks.