Is Original Pilipino Music (OPM) poised for its most exciting period in years? I hope so. There are certainly indications that this might be the time. Pinoy sounds are selling great. Besides, it has already been almost 50 years since that golden era during the late ‘70s and the talent harvest of these past few years has truly been breathtaking. And they are competing head-to-head with the foreigners in the charts.
Now, the stalwarts are still there. I mean the songs that made it to the top and have since stayed there for weeks and weeks. New entries continue to come and go but these titles remain. In fact, it does feel at times that their fans are unable to go through their days without a stream or two or more of their favorites.
Just think, it now feels like it has been almost a year since Ikaw Lang by Nobita made its appearance in the hit lists and it is still there. There are also Mahika, the magical collab by Harana boy Adie and singing champion Janine Berdin; and the strong commentary against irresponsible behavior, Elevate by Jeff Grecia, which is the only Pinoy rap song in the top of the charts.
Then, take note, the recent additions just getting stronger by the day. Uhaw (Tayong Lahat), the engaging combination of alt-pop and hip-hop by the Baguio-based group Dilaw, which is now the No. 1 selling song in the country; and Pasilyo, the lovely wedding tune by the band SunKissed Lola. Truth to tell, it was such a joy to see these songs demolish the strong foreign competition just by being their sweet, simple selves.
So, it now looks like listeners are reacting positively to what is happening to Original Pilipino Music. Because they liked Uhaw and Pasilyo, they also checked out Fallen and Puede Ba by the pop funk group from Muntinlupa, Lola Amour. They liked what they heard, so they went browsing for more. As a result, more and more Pinoy sounds emerged from digital storage for people to enjoy. Here are a few titles that I have a feeling will be big hits soon.
Leonora by Sugarcane. Well, it does seem like it has now become hip to be proud of our National Hero Jose Rizal. Inspired by Rizal off-shoots are now on TV, theater and even Netflix. So why not in recording. The song is dedicated to Rizal’s great love, Leonor Rivera, who was forced by her parents to marry somebody else. Is it true that she sewed Rizal’s letters inside the hem of her wedding gown? Anyway, Sugarcane uses this page from history to tell a love story which has the sane heartbreaking ending.
Musika by Dionela. Watch out for this one in coming weddings. This is a promise of forever love told with the emotional R&B vocals of Dionela, the same guy behind Bahag-hari. The song came about because Dionela’s girlfriend tinkered with the piano keys and then told him to write a song out of those notes. Thanks to that inspiration, the result is a beauty. Pasilyo gets a strong rival but who cares? They are both Pinoys.
While you are at it, you might also want to check out the alt-pop musings by the young singer-composer iLuna in his Panaginip. Yes, that is how he wants to be known as iLuna and this is his first time out in the hit lists.
Not new to the charts is Calein, an all-star band which Unique Salonga helped put together a few years ago. If I remember right, they recorded two singles Umaasa and Oras and then disappeared. But thanks to social media, Umaasa has resurfaced and is a huge hit.
And if you feel like disappearing from the world for a moment, there is the atmospheric sound of yno. Close your eyes. Breathe and take in his Hangin and Alapaap.
Note that what these songs have in common is that they are all about love. Sentimental Pinoys have always been and will ever be suckers for love. The songs all have pretty melodies with a strong ‘90s vibe, think Eraserheads but they also hark back to the broken-hearted elegies popularized by Bandang Lapis, Sa Kabilang Buhay and Ben&Ben, Sa Susunod na Habang Buhay a few years ago.
All very nice, but what I like about these sounds best of all is that they are no K-pop imitations! These songs are distinctly Pinoy, you can even call them updated kundimans and kids are on YouTube or Spotify or other platforms listening to them and enjoying them a lot.