Ogie Alcasid laments lack of OPM songs in the airwaves

By RICKY L. CALDERON

We had the chance to interview Original Pilipino Music (OPM) stalwart Ogie Alcasid during the dry run of his TV program “Hole in the Wall” last week. As we all know, Ogie ran as one of the board members of OPM the organization—otherwise known as the Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mang-aawit—of which the singer-composer desires to serve as its president.

“Dati ko pa naman ini-spearhead lahat ng projects ng OPM since we did the benefit concert Kaya Natin ‘To for the victims of Ondoy and Peping. I also got involved in Gawad Kalinga. Lately, I met with Mitch Valdes. Hindi na kasi masyadong naging active ang OPM. Wala nang recruitment ng bagong members. I am happy that members of the new board of OPM are sikat like Gary (Valenciano), Christian (Bautista), Jose (Mari Chan), Dingdong (Avanzado) and Noel (Cabangon). Maasahan mo kasi mga respetadong singers and songwriters,” said Ogie.

After the election of the OPM board, the new board will elect their set of officers and Ogie doesn’t hide the fact that he’s interested to be the group’s president.

What are his plans for the revival of OPM? “Siguro, we have to assess the problems affecting the music industry before we could offer any solution. Kung ako ang tatanungin mo, ang isang problema ay ang kawalan ng sigla sa bentahan ng music. Wala kang naririnig na bagong music. ‘Yung paggawa ng bagong kanta bihira na. Tapos ‘yung batas na dapat four Original Pinoy Music (OPM) songs ang pinapatugtog every hour hindi na rin nasusunod. Siyempre nariyan pa rin ang problema ng piracy. Then the taxes sa mga concerts,” said Ogie.

“Gusto sana maibalik ‘yung panahon na nagsisimula kami. Yung every three months may bago kang single tapos marami kang kantang naririnig. Maganda at masaya ang panahon na iyon na namamayagpag ang OPM. Ang dami-daming singer. Ngayon mas naririnig mo si Justin Bieber saka si Lady Gaga, si Usher, di ba? Bakit di natin patugtugin ang kay Charice at kay Sarah? Or Rachelle Ann Go? Alam naman ang place namin sa industry and we are okay with that. Gusto ko na maging masigla uli ang music industry for the others.”

As for discovering and giving breaks to new talents, these can be done by the TV networks and the recording companies, Ogie said. To have hit albums, this seldom happens nowadays, the singer-composer observed.

“We need the cooperation of media, radio, and the networks. Naging mabuti kasi ang industry sa amin kaya gusto namin itong pasiglahin. Nasa kultura natin iyan eh. Parte ng kultura natin ang pop music. Hindi natin puwede pabayaan mamatay,” he said.

Ogie said a positive step towards this direction is to have a dialogue with the right people concerned. If President-elect Noynoy Aquino would permit it, they would like to have a meeting with him. They would also like to have an audience with the senators and the congressmen so that a law could be passed to make the playing of an OPM song an imperative.

“Bigyan natin nang kahalagahan ang music natin na hindi na nagagawa,” he added. “Once you lay that groundwork the other aspects would follow and move kasi you will be able to lay the groundwork that would make the system move. Of course, it’s easier said than done. Mahirap itong trabaho. I am optimistic that it could be done. We have a new administration na parang maganda ang adhikain nila. Parang tingin namin ay puwede naman pakinggan kami ni Noynoy.”

Going to the program “Hole in the Wall,” Ogie said that aside from Yaya (played by Michael V) and Angelina (which he will be playing), there are other characters to be introduced into the program. “I am excited with the new characters we are going to present. ‘Hole in the Wall’ will run for two seasons. That is what’s stated in our contract,” he said.

“Medyo kakaibang show na siya kasi may kakaibang walls na kaming ipapakita sa show. Nakakatawa ang show kaya nag-click plus maganda ang rapport nina Yaya at Angelina. Gustung-gusto siya ng mga bata. The show itself is exciting. Hindi ito boring panoorin. Nakakapagod lang ito gawin pero enjoy. I look forward to taping kasi we tape five episodes in one day. It’s a good show and we are very happy na marami rin fans ang ‘Hole in the Wall’,” said Ogie.