Elements 2012: How I made it into the OPM army

MANILA, Philippines - On the last day of August, a friend called telling me that the deadline for entries for the 3rd Elements Songwriting Camp was later that day. Little did I know that deciding to send that last minute entry would be one of the best decisions of my life.

Two cut-offs later, I found myself in NAIA 3, dragging my ukulele and curiously staring at the other people carrying bigger instruments around. I was about to live, breathe, eat, sleep and write with these guys for the next five days.

No time was wasted the moment we set foot in Bahura. I shared a spacious room with three other girls who ranged in age from 19-25, all of whom with distinct voices, writing styles and personalities I will never forget. We spent the afternoon exploring the resort, trying to memorize the names and faces of other campers and awkwardly running into rock stars and larger than life personalities in the resort pathways and trying to act cool every time they’d say hi.

That first night was a white party to supposedly break the ice between mentors and campers but in hindsight, ice breaking is an understatement. With all the dancing, singing, rapping that happened, the ice was pretty much shattered from that point on.

The schedule for the four days following was pretty much packed with modules, writing exercises and showcases that ended in jams between mentors and campers. As someone who has never collaborated in her life before, the task of being grouped with five people and a mentor in songwriting challenges was daunting but I got lucky with my group and we had an amazing mentor in Jonathan Manalo of Star Records.

Each group activity was something I would look forward to so I could further pick the brains of my talented team (three Tagalog speakers and three Bisaya speakers). I was forced to evolve as a songwriter within the one-hour time frame we were given to write a verse and a chorus for a potential theme song. I will forever be grateful to that challenge for unleashing a potential I didn’t know I had. At 24 years old, you think you’ve developed all your necessary skills. Turns out, I was wrong. I can write and arrange in an hour with five other voices, opinions and ideas.

I was also privileged to be a screener’s and camp director’s choice, allowing me to sing my song to be heard by a large group of people. Hearing people like Ryan Cayabyab and Ebe Dancel talk about what sets you apart and why they chose you specifically is something that not everybody has a chance to hear. As songwriters, we know how much of an impact the correct words have and when Joey Ayala comes up to you, looks you in the eye and says, “Continue being unconventional”, you start to believe you’re on to something good.

The highlight of the camp was the moments after all the hard work—the jamming part. Ebe Dancel and Gloc-9 performing their hit “Sirena” with Raimund Marasigan, Jay Durias, Noel Cabangon, Aiza Seguerra and even Gang Badoy of Rock Ed joining in on the fun will forever be ingrained in my mind as one of the best performances I’ll ever watch in my life. Gang Badoy told us during a mini-talk during camp, “Music will save the Philippines.” and if anything, that performance of Sirena supports that statement.
Yeng Constantino belting out her hit “Hawak Kaway” with Aiza Seguerra on guitar, Noel Cabangon singing “Kanlungan” with Aia de Leon, Ogie Alcasid and Aiza Seguerra singing together on “Bakit Ngayon Ka Lang” and Jay Durias singing “Kahit Kailan” with camper Donki are all moments that don’t come around often and only the Elements Music Camp can bring all that together.

To think this was started by a music fan in Mr. Jun Sy of TAO Corporation, a man who loved OPM so much he invested all this time, energy and money into bringing us all together and making us happy campers.

Music is all about human emotions and connections and this proved to be the most important part of the learning experience. Outside the modules, there was still more to be discovered in simply conversing with fellow campers and mentors in the minutes in between. I’ve found a little sister in my roommate Anj, whose spunky personality and uninhibited singing style is something to watch for yourself. A kindred spirit in Ace, whose strange and unique sense of humor synced with mine and after having the privilege of hearing him accompany himself with just a keyboard, is now one of my favorite male voices in all of OPM. Finally, my teammate Hopia, who pretty much was sunshine, happiness, rainbows and all things good personified. I dare you to find a camper from batch three who does not love Hopia and if you do, I may have to hurt them. (But I doubt it after seeing all the love going around during graduation.)

As for the mentors, I learned so much more than what I expected. Christina Luna, Clarissa Ocampo, Trina Belamide, Debbie Gaite, Ogie Alcasid, Jonathan Manalo, Gabby Alipe, Jay Durias, Mike Villegas, Yeng Constantino, Ely Buendia, Jungee Marcelo, Audie Gemora, Ebe Dancel, Joey Ayala, Noel Cabangon, Gloc-9, Aiza Seguerra and Raimund Marasigan are all names that are larger than life but now hold an even bigger spot in my heart after this experience. I spent most of my grade school life listening to Parokya ni Edgar albums wanting to one day be someone who mixed humor and music so perfectly and in high school, I had Akap by Imago on loop most days so being around Chito Miranda and Aia de Leon on a daily basis were the most surreal moments for me. Of course, the biggest thanks goes to Mr. Ryan Cayabyab, Mr. Jun Sy and Ms. Twinky Lagdameo, the guys who made this all happen for us.

If you have any skill that allows you to be a part of this camp, develop it, be good at it, audition, kiss your mama good-bye, join the camp and become even better than you already are. I auditioned with a plastic kid’s toy (kazoo) and a fun-sized instrument (ukulele) with a silly, angry song and I made it. They said it would be life-changing but I never thought it would be at this level. This morning I woke up and looked for the sound of the bugle and the breakfast buffet but I found myself back home in Marikina, back to the daily grind of student life. I’m sure some days will be like this, maybe less and less as the days go by but all I know for sure is that the person who arrived and left Dumaguete are no longer the same.

Ogie Alcasid told us during graduation, “Welcome to the army of OPM.” After those five days I became even more sure of what I wanted to be and who I wanted to be in this industry. I willingly embrace my place in this army and no matter how big or small, you are a part of it. I’ve never been more proud in calling myself an OPM musician because of this camp.