OPM and P-POP
Today we have a special guest poster, DR34DNOUGHT of Tech Gum (“… your go to blog for all things technology!”). I like to discuss music and computers with him, and he often comes to me for computer advice. In fact, it was me who convinced him to start blogging!
Without further ado, here’s DR34DNOUGHT on OPM and P-pop!
As a Filipino, I am very proud of multiple things from my culture. From the flag and anthem, I stand strong by it. One of the things that I am proud of is our music. I mean OPM: Original Pinoy Music. The other type of Pinoy music is P-POP: Pinoy Pop. It’s the branching variant of other music categories such as K-POP or MINI-POP.
This is such as touchy topic probably because it’s a two-sided war. Not everyone agrees with P-POP and not everyone agrees with OPM which is completely fine. Being able to contrast both will help a person appreciate the music.
OPM prides itself with so much amazing music. It defined the era of good music in the Philippines. It is also defined by the musicians that played such as bands like APO Hiking Society*, Side A, Rivermaya*, Eraserheads*, Parokya ni Edgar; current but famous singers such as Martin Nievera*, Gary Valenciano*, Christian Bautista, Erik Santos, Aiza Seguerra*, Lea Salonga, Regine Velasquez, Sharon Cuneta, Sarah Geronimo (too many to mention); and then, there were the legendary greats like Rey Valera, Jose Mari Chan*, Freddie Aguilar, Noel Cabangon*, Basil Valdez (too many to mention, once again).
Anna by Apo Hiking Society
I had to put this on this list. I just had to. No comment.
Please Be Careful With My Heart by Jose Mari Chan and Regine Velasquez
This one is a gem. I love Jose Mari Chan not only because I currently watch the TFC television series, Be Careful With My Heart, but because I just really enjoy his way of singing and his compositions are phenomenal!
Kahit Maputi Na Ang Buhok Ko by Noel Cabangon (Original by Rey Valera)
Arguably enough, I really enjoyed Noel Cabangon’s cover of Kahit Maputi Na Ang Buhok Ko (Even If My Hair is White). For all the foreigners out there, the song is about growing old. Very similar to Grow Old with You.
Forevermore by Side A
I just really love this song. I remember at night, my parents would turn on the cassette player and put a Side A collection. I loved it because it’s what I slept with at night. Joey Generoso is one of the greatest musicians and singers I’ve heard.
I’ll Be There For You by Aiza Seguerra
Aiza is also one of my favourite OPM singers. Her voice is of an angel and I love her songs because most of them are acoustic. With her style with the strings and her voice, she’s wonderful!
P-POP can be sung by anyone, considering it’s fine to use auto-tune. I have nothing against auto-tune, but in all seriousness, it’s terrible. For example, I love Toni Gonzaga, as a comedienne and actress. I can’t really see her as a singer. But, if she is good, then I guess I wouldn’t mind.
Kahit Na by Toni Gonzaga
There are, however, great singers in this category: Sam Milby, Sarah Geronimo, Heart Evangelista, Rico Blanco, Charice Pempengco (sigh) and my favourite (whom I have the biggest crush on) Yeng Constantino! She’s awesome!
Chinito by Yeng Constantino
One reason why Yeng is awesome is because she takes P-POP and somewhat merges it with OPM. Most of her songs are great to listen to especially when you’re in a good mood. She has a real and amazing voice. Also, the fact that she’s a born-again Christian, I think I want to marry her.
Alaala (Memory) by Yeng Constantino
Although categorized as P-POP, I love this song… and I love her too much!
In conclusion, it’s a thin gray line between which is better. I, for one, really enjoy both because as a Filipino, I take pride in everything that we do. P-POP and OPM are still considered Pinoy Music. It will always be Pinoy Music.
At this moment, I would like to thank tPenguinLTG for letting me write a guest post. I enjoyed writing about OPM and P-POP (my idea, by the way).
Keep Chewing!
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`The Penguin' says... 
I love OPM! I don’t agree with P-pop, though. I dislike Asian pop, actually modern pop in general.
Whoever calls P-pop “OPM” is insulting OPM. Seriously, P-pop is an imitation of K-pop. Terrible, really.
Although this selection of OPM artists may not be quite representative, but it’s good enough.
I planned to post playlists of APO Hiking Society and Side A on this blog in the future.
There’s a clever joke on every one of Side A’s cassette tapes. If you’re old enough to remember, tapes were often labelled “Side A” and “Side B”. On Side A’s tapes, there was “Side A” and “Side A too”.
I don’t know why everyone says Noel Cabangon’s cover of “Kahit Maputi Na Ang Buhok Ko” is better, because Rey Valera’s original is better. But then again, I’m generally biased towards the original of any song (with notable exceptions).
Thanks for writing for me, DR34DNOUGHT! I might get you to do another one for me in the future.
Better that pinoys are participating in the K-Pop craze by producing some P-pop. OPM will never die.
I agree that OPM will never die, and it’s not only because P-pop can be considered OPM under a technicality. Filipinos hold their culture and heritage very dearly.
Also, OPM songs get covered by artists to the point that you don’t know who the original artist is, and as long as it’s a Filipino covering it, it sounds like it could be the original.
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