Billboard set to enter Philippines' music scene

MANILA, Philippines — Leading international music brand Billboard is set to launch on Thursday, expected to influence the local music scene.

Known for its charts, news, business, lifestyle, and innovations in music,  BillboardPH is the third Asian branch of Billboard, after Japan and Thailand.

Billboard's history dates back to more than a century, but the brand continues to be influential in the international music scene: if it says that an artist is number 1 on the Billboard charts, then it is, without question, currently the most popular song in the world.

In a statement released to Philstar.com, BillboardPH's executives said the prospect of starting in the Philippines was seen a great opportunity, given the variety and range of music locally.

"Not many realize that there’s so much music all over the country that hasn’t been heard just yet primarily because attention has been focused on the northern regions (aka Luzon) for too long," the company said.

It promised to come up with charting systems based on advanced alglorithms used globally.

"(The system) doesn't just open doors for Filipino artists to be fully recognized on an international scale; it also creates opportunities for homegrown artists based outside Luzon to be included in the fold," BillboardPH's statement read.

By exploring music outside the capital region and Luzon, artists from other parts of the Philippines will share the spotlight and the local music will be presented in a more accurate picture.

Singer Sarah Geronimo will be the first to be featured as artist in BillboardPH's maiden month.

"All the cards are now in place; the one thing left to be done is the big reveal," the company said.

"We are charting the evolution of Filipino music," it added.