Jim: All's not lost for OPM

Having a conversation with Jim Paredes about OPM is an exhilarating, invigorating experience. He not only knows that OPM is bound to stage a comeback in a big way soon, but he actually has suggestions on how we can help do this faster.

Jim believes that the sooner we focus on the music instead of just the singers, we’d be on our way. He thinks of singers as hardware and songs as software, saying that for the longest time, we’ve been selling hardware to other countries that’s why we have such world-class singers as Lea Salonga and Charice.

However, we do not have materials that bear our identity and sound unlike say, Brazil or Jamaica. He cited the K-Pop phenomenon which started when the Korean government, media, singers, songwriters and producers acted as one into defining and launching a movement. Only when K-Pop became huge in the originating country did the world take notice, he pointed out.

“Sinong papansin sa Pinoy music kung ang album sales niya ay lilimang libong kopya lang? Kung ang sarili natin ay di natin susuportahan, bakit tayo papansinin ng iba?” Jim said.

Jim wants Filipino composers and record labels to stop being reactionary. He said that we should blaze our own trail and not aim to “impress” others. The mindset should not be that we can be as good as the “others” or that we can easily be “like” them. Rather, Filipino composers should talk about their own experiences, their culture, their identity across genres and on his own terms.

It all boils down to love. Artists and songwriters should hone their craft for its own sake and not for the fame and fortune it could bring. Jim said that even if he had not been part of iconic group The APO Hiking Society, he would still write songs if only for the joy of doing it.

“And that is where the payback lies: Love begets love. If you love something, it will love you back.”

All is not lost for OPM, he said.

Even now, Jim is sure that something is bubbling under — new songs, new singers with a new mindset that will have to explode soon. He said that a paradigm shift is at hand whether we like it or not.

The singer-songwriter practices what he preaches. Though already considered legendary, he continues to go out of his comfort zone.

People will see this in his upcoming concert titled Live, Laugh and Sing to be held at the Newport Performing Arts Theater of Resorts World Manila on Oct. 11. In his first solo concert, Jim will sing not only originals but will do covers “for the first time in my career.”

“I want the audience to experience me as a singer, songwriter and creative person post-APO. I want them to experience a Jim Paredes that will delight and surprise them,” he said.

A production of Mauve Management and Entertainment, guest performers include Yeng Constantino, Noel Cabangon, Ebe Dancel and Jett Pangan.

Live, Laugh and Sing will also showcase photographs that Jim took, and some videos that were especially made for the event.

This is post-APO Jim and it is exciting.

Tintin Babao’s celeb bazaar

Tintin Babao is busy again these days, organizing her annual Early Christmas Charity and Celebrity Bazaar. She is inviting participants and entrePinoys — those with new businesses and those who need extra income — to join her bazaar. Sponsors of the bazaar will have free use of the stage, lights and sound of the venue. The first 100 shoppers daily will get free Royal Scent colognes and other freebies. There are also free kiddie shows by world-class ventriloquist Wanlu.

For details, call 931-0852 or 861-0006 or visit the Facebook page CBB Events. The bazaar is on Nov. 9, 10 and 11 at the World Trade Center.

Tintin is seen daily in Good Morning Club on TV5. She is also working on her sixth children’s book. She is currently endorsing EQ Diaper, Smart Steps and Aquasoft Water.