Ryan Cayabyab, Jim Paredes on how OPM can go global

MANILA, Philippines - There are a lot of talented Filipino singer-songwriters. But how come only few of them make it internationally?

The Elements National Singing-Songwriting Camp tackled how an artist can take their music to the global stage.

READ: Jim Paredes tells artists: Truth, not market should dictate content

"As artist, as you, what else can you offer the world?" Ryan Cayabyab asked the music camp participants on Tuesday. "Get out and do something no one else is doing."

He noted that the global audience got tired of hearing the same sentimental songs from the Philippines.

Cayabyab also said that an artist can have an musical influence, but he should not "imitate."

"The trick is not to imitate. The trick is to find the idea why it clicks. Find out what works and do it your way," he said.

Jim Paredes, meanwhile, said that "we really need to come in as us and that'll be our greatest contribution to the world."

Discovering other genre and forms is what Gerard Salonga advised the participants.

"Broaden your consumption of the art, he said. "Kasi there are things na hindi mo alam mayro'n pala na puwede mo gamitin."

"Listen to different music, even to the ones you can't stand," he added.

Giving an international perspective on Filipino music, Billboard Music Asia head Jonathan Serbin described Original Pilipino Music (OPM) as a "big mover" in Asian music.

"There's really some really rare talent in the Philippines that are not seen in different places," he said.

Seeing how OPM artists hone and continually learn their craft, Serbin said Filipino artist could bring a big change in the Asian music industry someday.

READ: Joey Ayala on why people say 'OPM is dead'

"I think Philippines certainly can be a big mover in developing the music industry in Asia," he said.

"I think they could be the link between Asia and the U.S. (music)," he concluded.

Cayabyab, Paredes, Salonga and Serbin talked to budding and aspiring musicians at the Elements national music camp, held at the Hacienda Isabella in Indang, Cavite until Thursday.