Music delineates and reflects the culture of a country – through Original Pinoy Music (OPM), the diversity and richness of Filipino culture, as well as the sentiments of its people, are expected to turn into distinct melodies.

 

We all know that music has a big impact in our lives even in the past era. In the Philippines, we have our own ‘Original Pilipino Music’ or what we called OPM – this term which refers to songs composed and performed by Filipino artists, became popular during the late ‘70s along with the rise of the Metro Manila Popular Music Festival or the Metropop in 1977, a yearly songwriting competition that yielded such classics as “Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika” by Maestro Ryan Cayabyab and the world-renowned “Anak” by Freddie Aguilar. With its unique, powerful voices and clear harmonization, Filipino musicians and singers are known as one of the best entertainers in the world. However, Our Original Pinoy Music (OPM) was less supported by our generation today.

 

They became one of the massive enthusiasts of Korean Pop Music. This K-Pop music had pervaded our country since 2011 until the present. The young Filipino generation had been influenced by the Korean Pop, not just by its music, but also by their language, the fashion trends and even their ways on how Koreans communicate to other people.

 

K-pop invades the Filipinos’ hearts and minds in which the nationalism of Filipinos is at stake. We don't miss to appreciate our own culture as a Filipino and seek the chance of seeing our OPM improve throughout the generations. Foreign music is considered as a threat to OPM because Filipino teenagers patronize and idolize foreign artists. But In spite of all the problems OPM is facing, people in the music industry are still optimistic that hype for OPM can be revived. But changes in the music industry would only be possible if the government creates new laws to promote OPM and curb piracy in the country.

 

We can say that foreign music started to grow in our country but OPM is not yet dead. There are still singers like Darren Espanto, Yeng Constantino, Sarah Geronimo who produced great songs and promotes OPM to the world. We believe that interacting with other countries is good but we must not forget what we are and what we are born for – it is to raise the banner of Filipino culture and serve for our country. If only this year’s generations of Filipinos will start to give love and promote Original Pilipino Music to the world, then we can be as big and popular as Western music and Korean Pop music. We need to give our support to our local music so OPM will be recognized again.