MANILA, Philippines — As the Filipino music industry continues to change and expand, Yamaha Music Philippines wants to offer essential support to music artists at every stage of their journey.
At the recent launch of their largest boutique store in the country, located on the ground floor of Uptown Mall in Bonifacio Global City, the brand described it as a space where musicians of all ages can explore, create and grow their music. The event was graced by Original Pilipino Music (OPM) artists who were there not only to support Yamaha Music Philippines, but also to share their insights on the current music scene.
Among the highlights of the event was the “mini-reunion” of Zild Benitez and Unique Salonga, former members of the band IV of Spades. Though the members had ruled out a musical reunion — they’ve remained as friends — their music continues to resonate with listeners, with Zild taking the opportunity to react to the viral success of his band’s four-year-old song, Come Inside of My Heart.
It gained the most traction on TikTok thanks to its widespread use by social media pages of US sports channels and major sports leagues, such as the NBA (National Basketball Association), NFL (National Football League) and MLB (Major League Baseball).
“I think it’s very rare that Filipino music gets noticed without the gimmick and everything. Nakaka-proud lang din sa mga kaibigan ko na kasama gawin yun,” Zild told The STAR.
On people being surprised that it’s OPM, he further said, “Parang time na ‘di na sila magulat na Filipino gumawa nun (It’s about time they stop being surprised that it’s a Filipino who made it.)” Filipino music, even when expressed in English, carries a unique quality rooted in cultural influences, he added.
“Even if the song is in English, we still bring something different because of our upbringing, because we’re Filipino.
“Even if the lyrics are westernized, it still has a Filipino touch. So, shout out to all the musicians who came before us, those who have inspired us to create original songs and to all the bands from even the ‘70s who made original Filipino music.”
He hopes this inspires others to continue making original music. “I hope it creates a ripple effect,” Zild said. “I hope it gives more hope, that we can create more songs here in the Philippines. We don’t have to move to other countries.”
Another musician who attended the Yamaha launch was Marlo Mortel, who is now fully embracing his role as a singer-songwriter. His passion for music has always run deep, as he shared, “The reason I entered showbiz was really because of music. I just got discovered suddenly for (the hit series) Be Careful With My Heart.” Now, Marlo is preparing to release an album composed of nine or 10 tracks, all written by him.
His sound is evolving, moving away from the heartthrob pop ballads he previously released. “I’m steering away from the heartthrob-ish, pop ballads because I’m not really a balladeer. I’m leaning towards alternative pop like Post Malone, Jo Jean, Chappell Roan with a bit of soul and country,” he said.
The themes of his new music are deeply personal, touching on his experiences with love, loss, and self-discovery.
Both musicians, as well as bands like The Juans, Imago, 6CycleMind and singers LA Santos, Kenaniah Lambio and Chrstn, were among the first to explore the instruments at the store, which is envisioned as a creative hub catering to musicians of all levels.
“The main purpose is we’d like to provide a place where the customer can try and enjoy the instruments themselves. We’ve chosen products that will enhance the experience of music in the Philippines,” Yamaha Music Philippines president Koichiro Onoe said in an interview.
Featuring pianos, keyboards, violins and electric guitars, as well as synthesizers and audio equipment, the store’s most unique items on display include the Disklavier, a self-playing piano, as well as the digital full acoustic piano U1J TransAcoustic.
But the store launch was more than just a “retail milestone.” As part of its commitment to supporting the next generation of musicians and music education in public schools nationwide, Yamaha Music Philippines donated 50 keyboards to the Department of Education (DepEd).
These include the YPT270 keyboard, a user-friendly model ideal for beginners. Onoe said that a keyboard is a very good instrument to learn music. “It’s very easy to play because you can see which notes are higher or lower. And with a keyboard instrument, you can learn melodies, harmonies and rhythm — the three main components of music.”
The brand executive further spoke about the Philippine market. “The Philippines has a rich musicality. You already have a strong guitar industry locally, and you have the Spanish and American influences. From a musicality point of view, you have a very high (musicality)… Many people here can play instruments even without reading notes — just by ear or oido,” he said.
This level of musicality, according to Onoe, “presents a lot of potential for us.”
“We’d like to expand the experience of our products so more people can enjoy music,” at the same time develop “closer ties” with local artists. With the rise of the next generation of Filipino musicians, Yamaha said that it’s here to support and nurture their talents through access to innovative products and educational initiatives.
“Yamaha Music is committed to supporting creative and passionate individuals, and we want to make music more accessible to everyone. Filipinos are talented individuals who are not afraid to express themselves, and we want to be with them on their journey as they continue to make waves through music,” Onoe said.