Why Willie's CDs sell

Is radio playing Original Pilipino Music these days? It is but not enough. The radio stations are perhaps doing their bit with the mandatory four OPM songs per DJ slot. But we need more. That is not enough, more so for somebody like me who remembers a time when there were radio stations playing only recordings by Filipino artists. Because of that, that was also a time when our singers were outselling the foreigners in record sales and concert tickets.

But beggars can’t be choosers. And that is how I feel Filipino music is nowadays. Record companies have to beg radio stations and TV music channels for airplay. Competition from English language recordings, as those from the US, the UK and other countries is already an accepted fact. But they have now added Korean music to those and K-Pop as Korean pop is usually referred to, is getting very special treatment. Would you believe that there is now a Filipino magazine solely devoted to K-Pop artists while Filipinos have to fight tooth and nail for space in local glossies?

Of course Filipino artists also contributed into creating this dire situation. They so adore foreign hits that these songs are what they choose to do in their shows even at the expense of their own hits. In agreement with them are TV producers who only allow Filipino songs into their shows on special occasions and reluctantly at that. Songs need to be heard if the artists and recordings are to sell and artists should take advantage of every opportunity to give exposure to their songs.

What is the biggest-selling song of today and it is one that is outselling the foreigners? It is I Love You, the new single by Willie Revillame, composed by Vehnee Saturno and included in the album of the same title, which is the No. 1 seller nationwide. I Love You is a good song. Revillame while no singing contest material is a well-liked personality. The album contains some of the best Saturno songs of recent times.

All these factors are helping sell I Love You but I think the main reason the CD is selling is because Willie makes it a point to sing I Love You whenever possible. And that performance always comes with a plug for Original Pilipino Music. Of course, it is also fortunate that he has a daily show where he can play or perform any song he wants. But it is a fact that if you get a nice song drummed in your head that often, you will surely want to hear more of it. And that means going out and buying the album. Don’t you just wish that all those singers and non-singers who sing in those variety shows would also show such appreciation for Filipino songs?

Also selling well is Revillame’s other CD. This is Willing Willie with a single of the same title, which is also the theme from his hit TV show, made up of upbeat tunes all composed by top novelty songwriter Lito Camo. Filipino novelty songs may not sit well with the usual pop music buyer but this is a type of music that is truly Filipino and therefore also deserves support. Remember that no foreign song was able to compete with Sex Bomb’s Spageti during its heyday. So having more of this will certainly help generate sales.

Other Filipino songs that are fortunately getting that very elusive airplay these days and which now have the potential to be big sellers are: Hey Daydreamer by newcomer Someday Dream, which is not yet available in the stores; Sino Nga Ba S’ya? by Sarah Geronimo, which is only available on downloads; Walang Natira2 by rapper Gloc-9 featuring Sheng Belmonte from his new CD Talumpati; Wag Na by Yeng Constantino; Mahal Kita (Di Mo Pansin) by Kyla; Linda Blair by Tanya Markova; Pagkakataon2 by Shamrock featuring Rachelle Ann Go; Larawan by Eevee; Meron Akong Ano by Kamikazee featuring Chito Miranda, Ian Tayao and Reg Rubio; Hanging Habagat by Champ from his first solo album; Lagi by Kiss Jane; and Shembot by the Eat, Bulaga! Dabarkads, which gets exposure everyday in the noontime show.