Acel van Ommen

I was invited to speak last Monday (Jan.16,2012) at UP Los Banos for their symposium that aims to raise audience awareness on how OPM (Original Filipino Music) is used to address societal issues and in turn, mobilize people towards change and development. (read my blog about this topic)

During that symposium, one of the resource speaker, Vin Dancel (a lawyer; songwriter and frontman of the band Twisted Halo and Peryodiko;  staff in Pinoy Tuner, active member of DAKILA, RockEd and Republikha) shared his passion to promote independent music through Pinoy Tuner. Pinoy Tuner is a venue in the web where Filipino artists can showcase their original music without the “politics” in the music industry that’s actually killing the creativity and the musicality of our Philippine Music Industry.

Mostly big record labels don’t invest on original Pinoy music, and would rather get a singer with a pretty face or even an actor/actress (that does not even have a talent in singing to cover foreign popular music).This just shows colonial mentality that is deeply rooted in our society. The excuse for this action is that those kind of music sells..and that a pretty face OR the few familiar faces seen on TV sells more than a nobody singing a song from the heart. Another reason is the truth that people don’t buy CDs anymore. They just download it illegally and share it to their friends. The listeners are also not aware that there are a bunch of talented artists with amazing songs out there in the underground scene that are not given a chance to be heard because the radio stations won’t play their songs without “payola” or what they call “song sponsorship”. They would only play your song if you pay a certain fee that ranges to 25-60k a month.( just for one radio station)

It is indeed a great challenge to revive our own Philippine Music Industry and would take everyone- artists, producers,TV networks, radio stations, government and listeners/consumers to help each other by doing their part to promote our own artists and Pinoy music.

Government should protect and promote Pinoy artists and OPM; Radio stations should play and prioritize Filipino music than foreign music; TV networks should give opportunity to independent artists for their songs to be heard and to showcase their talents. Record labels should invest on quality and excellent Pinoy artists and songwriters to upgrade Philippine musicality and not let the masses get stuck in novelty songs that degrades our society and that has suggestive sexual messages.They should invest more on songs that would build and not destroy.

Parents, what music and what shows are you feeding your children? We all should be sensitive in what we listen to..because what you take in your ears would go to your heart, and what is in your heart will come out of your mouth and your actions.

Listeners and consumers should support Filipino artists by buying their original CDs or downloading the songs LEGALLY; requesting OPM songs on the radio, and by watching their live shows- paying the entrance fee and not asking the artists to list their names as guests :).

I, as an artist wants to empower people towards change and transformation, and on behalf of the other songwriters and artists with the same heart, says that we cannot do it alone. We need your support. We need financial sustainability and visibility so that we can encourage and empower more people.. This is my vision..to see Philippine music dominate the music industry in our country.

Kaya ba? O Pangarap na lang ba ito..