Plume shows he’s more than a melancholy balladeer

Because Pilita Corrales comes from Cebu and later on also the likes of Vina Morales and even Juan Karlos Labajo, it was generally believed that Cebu produces great singers. Davao also had its contributions from South Border to Freestyle to TJ Monterde.

Now prepare to welcome a new source not only for singers but for Original Pilipino Music (OPM), Baguio.

Given the emergence of such interesting discoveries as Dilaw with its Uhaw and Sunkissed Lola with Pasilyo, plus the now continuing success of Cup of Joe, Tingin, Misterioso and others, it can now be said that there is great music to be found in the City of Pines. So, I say give a listen to any music claiming to be from Baguio. Who knows, you might be the one who will get to hear that next big hit song.

That might just be by Plume. Nice name he chose for himself, Plume, as in pluma, which means pen. Maybe because he writes his own songs and he has this soft flamboyant style like that of a bird plumed with magnificent feathers.

Or was his intention to channel Latino hitmaker Peso Pluma? Whatever! Plume is actually Shaquille Iversion A. Dumpit. Now no question where that Shaquille name comes from. He is 21 years old and he is studying Computer Science at the University of Baguio.

It was being cooped up at home during the COVID-19 pandemic that gave Plume the inspiration to start writing songs and later recording them all by himself. Also, all by himself he bagged a record deal with AltG Records which released his first single Beautiful early this year. The song is sweet and quietly rendered much like the many successful young male singer-songwriters we have around these days. This was good as it enabled Plume to acquire firm footing in the business.

A few months later, Plume is ready for a change. His latest, titled Panggap, is upbeat pop with rock overtones. He is shaking things up and showing that he is more than the melancholy balladeer of Beautiful. Panggap also goes into deeper emotions. No love song this one. The title comes from magpanggap or to pretend. So, it is nagpapanggap as in pretending things are alright even when they are not.

Plume says there are times when one has to pretend but there are always times when it is better to let one’s true feelings show. Huwag nang magpanggap. Great advice. Let us hope it makes him the next big music thing to come out of Baguio.

Meanwhile, Dionela, who by the way comes from Bulacan continues to reign in the latest Spotify Top 50 hit list. And don’t you forget, with him on this great ride is pop soul star JayR, who I am happy to find back in the charts.

Here now are the Top 25 titles in the Top 50 of Spotify: sining by Dionela and JayR; Die with a Smile by Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars; Dilaw by MAKI; BIRDS OF A FEATHER by Billie Eilish; Please, Please, Please by Sabrina Carpenter; Palagi by TJ Monterde; Salamin, Salamin by BINI; Tingin by Cup of Joe and Janine Tenoso; Palagi, a new version by TJ Monterde an KZ Kandingan; Ikot by Over October; Museo by Eliza Maturan; Taste by Sabrina Carpenter.

Pantropiko by BINI; Cherry on Top by BINI; Espresso by Sabrina Carpenter; Walang Alam by Hev Abi; Tadhana by Up Dharma Down; Good Luck Babe! by Chappell Roan; Ikaw Lang by NOBITA; Mahika by Adie and Janine Berdin; Take All the Love by Arthur Nery; Karera by BINI; Maybe This Time by Sarah Geronimo; Saan? by MAKI; and Misteryoso by Cup of Joe.