NO animosity, just friendly banter, a lot of good-natured ribbing and great music.
That’s what happened when five of the most prominent voices in OPM came together for the first time for “The Class of OPM.” This early, the concert is already a success as it has managed to bring together Philippine music industry’s legends such as APO’s Boboy Garovillo, Jim Paredes, Marco Sison, Rey Valera and Dulce.
At the intimate press con for the show at Gerry’s on Morato Ave. in Quezon City last Monday, differences were set aside – the APO and Dulce being from opposite sides of the political spectrum – to celebrate and uplift OPM.
“Nagsimula naman kami sama sama 1970s pa,” said Dulce.
“Lagi akong nagsusumbong dito,” she added, tapping Jim’s arm. “Even dun sa isang story ko na prinoduce ng isang Christian community, part sya dun. Kasi sa may struggles na sya ‘yung kausap ko….
“Totoo nagsusumbong ako dito. We’re friends. During politics, hindi kami nagkakasama kasi may kanya kanya kamI.”
Marco, who served as councilor of Binan and later board member in his native Laguna, butted in, “Ang politics 60 days lang pag national, 45 days pag local. After nyan, tapos na.”
Before being torn by their political leanings, they were bound by a common love for OPM.
These hitmakers were churning hits while being at the forefront of the most magically creative time in OPM, inadvertently serving as ambassadors and bringing the Pinoy sound to the world.
Dulce, champion of many local and international music festivals, recalled how she sang “Ako ay Nasawi, Ako ay Nagwagi” in Tagalog to the consternation of some of those in the Philippine delegation at the Asian Songfest held in HongKong in 1979. She wanted to remain true to the Tagalog lyrics, as there was a clear difference to the English translation of the song. And — lo and beyond — she won the grand prize.
She also refused to record “Lumayo Ka Man sa Akin,” a Tagalog adaptation of a Japanese hit. Even though composers had already predicted that it was going to be a big hit, Dulce said.
“Sabi ko hindi ako pwedeng kumanta kasi it’s a Japanese song. Oo nga, mag hi-hit, pero kakalaunch lang nung Organisasyon ng PIlipinong Mang-aawit tapos sinusulong mo ang original [tapos ma-re-record ako ng Japanese song?],” she explained. “Ako naman, I don’t write songs, talagang interpreter ako so para sa akin, nakapag contribute ako ‘yung sariling akin. So that’s why I refused to record ‘Lumayo Ka Man sa Akin.’”
Dulce has also famously and stubbornly rejected suggestions that she alter her looks and get a nose job and correct her accent. The “Timeless Diva” who is a staunch supporter of Visayan music only has this to say: “My accent is not a defect but my identity.”
There will always be something lost in translation, something different in the expression of emotions in the different languages, said Jim, who is considered a pillar of the OPM, but what is important is keeping the Filipino identity in telling our own story.
“Ang OPM is not afraid to be different from the rest of the world. That’s the idea. That’s why you contribute — because we’re different. But ang mentality pa rin natin is, ano ba ang ginagawa sa America? Stop asking that question! What’s happening to us, man? That’s what we should do. And we tell our story.”
“Kailangan medya sira ulo, to think outside the box,” said Rey in agreement, “Sila ‘yung mga taong nag umpisa ng OPM talaga dahil kung maaalala nyo, before them, ang mga tugtugan, kailangan Matt Monro ka ng Pilipinas, Tom Jones ka ng Pilipinas, kailangan mayroon kang kinopoya para sumikat. And yet silang kaharap nyo ngayon, sila ang nagsabi ng hindi. Gagawa tayo ng sarili…
“Years later, nakita namin ang gusto silang mangyari. Tama, kung ano ang kaya ng Amerikano, kaya rin natin. Hindi man kami nagkausap kasi hindi kami magkakilala that time, nage-get ko ‘yung message saka action.
“Kaya ako, magiging songwriter, [pero] hindi ako magiging Matt Monro ng Pilipinas or Tom Jones ng Pilipinas, pipilitin kong magkaroon ng sariling [identity].”
“Etong ‘The Class of OPM,’ masters degree na ngayon,” quipped Boboy.
Directed by Calvin Murphy Neria, “The Class of OPM” happens at The Theater at Solaire on May 3 with special guests Andrea Gutierrez, Elisha and VR Caballero. The show’s musical director is Adonis Tabanda with Jake Bacud as scriptwriter.
It is a fund-raising project of the Soroptimist International of the Americas Philippine Region for underprivileged girls and women.
The unique chance to enjoy superb voices and timeless music is made possible by Echo Jham Entertainment Production.
