Music a big part of Aquino's life

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino disclosed yesterday that music has become a big part of his life and he listens to different types of music based on his mood.

The President made the revelation during the oath taking of the new officers of the Organisasyon ng mga Pilipinong Mang-aawit (OPM) at the Rizal Hall in Malacañang last Friday afternoon, led by OPM president Ogie Alcasid.

The President said his administration would support the protection of the intellectual property rights (IPR) of musicians, which he said contributed 4.25 percent to the gross domestic product.

He thanked the music industry, which had been at the forefront of promoting the country’s arts and culture and in uplifting the hopes and dreams of every Filipino.

“For a country that is developing like us that has so many problems, the arts really deserve all the support we can give,” the President said.

Aside from Alcasid, the President administered the oath of office of OPM chairman Mitch Valdez, executive director Elmer Ingles, Gary Valenciano (vice president for internal affairs), Noel Cabangon (VP for external affairs), Christian Bautista (VP for special projects), Jose Mari Chan (treasurer), Dingdong Avanzado (secretary), and ex-officio trustees Jim Paredes and Celeste Legaspi-Gallardo.

The officers were later joined by singers Regine Velasquez and Jessa Zaragoza and rendered the song “Kaya Natin,” which was composed in the aftermath of the massive flooding and devastation caused by tropical storm “Ondoy” last year.

OPM was established in October 1986 and is now the leading and most respected organization of Filipino professional musicians in the country.

Mr. Aquino also confirmed that he would be a secondary sponsor in the wedding of Alcasid and Velasquez late this year.

Mr. Aquino joked that he would get Alcasid and Velasquez as godparents if there would be an opportunity for him to get married in the future.

He also directed the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) and the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to strictly implement Executive Order No. 255 requiring all radio stations to play at least four original Pilipino music every hour.

Mr. Aquino said he asked the Presidential Management Staff to remind the DOTC and the NTC about the forgotten order and have it enforced as soon as possible.

The President’s mother, the late President Corazon Aquino, issued in July 1987 EO 255 “requiring all radio stations with musical format programs to broadcast a minimum of four original Pilipino musical compositions in every clock hour and for other purposes.”

The young Aquino’s directive was in response to the request of Alcasid, who expressed support for the President’s sincere desire to bring about change and social transformation through good governance, transparency and moral ascendancy.

Alcasid said Mrs. Aquino was the “great icon of democracy” while the President had emerged as “the new symbol of change and social transformation.”

He also requested the President’s support for the professional development of young musicians and artists as well as assistance for the sick and elderly members of the industry.

Mr. Aquino suggested to the OPM officers the possibility of putting up an organization like the Movie Industry Welfare Fund (MOWELFUND) through assistance of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. or even the President’s Social Fund.

The President thanked the artists for their help during his campaign, admitting that when he agreed to run, he was far behind in preparation compared to his opponents.

Velasquez sang and appeared in Aquino’s first campaign advertisement accompanied by a number of artists with the theme “Hindi Ka Nag-iisa” composed by Alcasid.

“In reality, when I accepted the challenge, I really felt like, what’s this that I was getting myself into? You’re not ready while your opponents were very well-prepared, and if there’s nothing wrong they could find in you, they would just invent something. What I was entering into was heavy but what was heavier was what we would inherit from Mrs. (Gloria Macapagal) Arroyo,” Mr. Aquino said.

Mr. Aquino said the song was a great inspiration and that he would ensure that the power of music would not be lost on Filipinos.

“What is the central message? Music can encourage. When you’re down and hopeless, it can help you live again and make you think that you can hope again, dream again and that we can find direction,” he said, adding that music could also “liven up, push, enrage and influence people” in their actions.