Ligaya

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ISSUE 1 VOLUME 1

LIGAYA

BY GROUP DISCUSSION THREE A GUIDE ON ORIGINAL PILIPINO MUSIC 2021 INTERACTIVE MAGAZINE

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With various Original Pilipino Music, it is highly noticeable that this kind of music portrays not only the uniqueness of the Filipinos but also their sentiments and passion towards music. In this magazine, the manifestation of OPM’s uniqueness from foreign songs will be explored along with the role OPM is playing in the life of the Filipinos.

All these will prove how the continuous emergence of OPM can constitute the true meaning of Ligaya (i.e. joyfulness) to Filipinos throughout the years.

Scanning a Spotify Code for mobile phones and tablets:

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II N N S S T T R U U C C T T II O O N N

T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S

06

INTRODUCTION

MUSIC AND AESTHETICS

07

Our Journey Starts Here

INTRODUCTION

INTRODUCTION TO OPM

08

music is considered as the most universal

HISTORY

TIMELINE OF OPM

EXPERIENCE

12

FOREIGN VS. OPM

14 17

EXPERIENCE

AESTHETICS AND OPM

16

SONG QUOTE

LIGAYA Eraserheads

EXPERIENCE

LIFESTYLE OF FILIPINOS

CONCLUSION

18

IMPORTANCE OF OPM

M U S I C

&

A E S T H E T I C S

OUR JOURNEY STARTS HERE

Encountering the concept of music offers an influential corroboration of its connectedness with humanity. Over the past few years, music as an art form extends persuasive reasons as to how it integrates to human beings. According to Berleant (2002), experience is the kind of reasoning that allows both to achieve an aesthetic perspective considering that it manifests directness.

These express the progression of human beings together with their multiple dimensions which produces and reveals how music can express the ineffable.

The experience of aesthetics in music occurs not only as a holistic, personal, and subjective event but also a fulfillment of the complex abilities that individuals undertake at a particular time and place. (Berleant, 2002) Any art disintegrates what is commonly known as the integral process; where artists, tools, or performers play a crucial role in the aesthetic area, for example, of music. In a similar manner, the auditory sensations are not merely just musical sounds, rather they are produced in such a way that one can unfold its beauty of form and expression— executions of stringed instruments, the movement of fingers on piano keys, or the breaths blown into brass instruments. In relation to this, Brattico et. al (2017) proposed that global sensory qualities which are defined as the ones that analyzes the “whole sound” which are distinct from any of its individual parts, instruments, harmony structure, intervals, melody, or tuning; are statistically extracted from the stimuli by the auditory system and then passed on to high-level processing, ultimately leading to the main outcomes of musical experience, namely aesthetic judgment, emotion and preference. They have concluded that holistic qualities of musical objects are likely to play an important role in creating an aesthetic response in the listener. With all these, it can never be denied that each part of music involves a process that is evidently immersed in aesthetics as it generates an experience that concedes individuals to freely express their emotions.

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I N T R O D U C T I O N

T O

O P M

OUR JOURNEY STARTS HERE

Of all forms of art, music is considered as the most universal; An example of this is the Philippine music which is exclusively regarded as a blend of two (2) musical traditions — the East and the West. This, however, does not limit the uniqueness of the Filipinos as their country possesses different kinds of music that embodies a Pinoy and Pinay’s total experience.

After the colonization of the Spaniards and Americans, the influences of culture and traditions of the Philippines gained diversity from local and international countries and have developed their own music culture where songs are performed in the local language.

This kind of music was originally referred to as “Manila Sound”.

(Rodrigo & Tanedo, 2014) Through time, Danny Javier, a member of the Apo, coined the term Original Pilipino Music or OPM, aiding the identification of the next emerging strain of pop-rock music.

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Although some of it were often played with Western instruments, all of it practices roots in Filipino folk traditions, specifically the style of a traditional love song— The Kundiman. Another one is the old-time practice of harana by men who woo their adored women by serenading and playing them this type of song. Due to the fact that this is associated with a breezy, ballad, and sentimental sound, it truly inspired everyone and have influenced karaoke playlists and radio airplay in the Filipino market and beyond. (For the Record, 2019)

T I ME L I N E

96 60 0 ss 11 9

Music in the Philippines was primarily characterized by the rock sound during the 1960s and early 1970s. Since the United States invaded the Philippines from 1898 to 1946, many aspects of American culture, including music, have become ingrained in the Filipino people. American blues, folk, R&B, and rock-n-roll were several of the numerous types that were transferred during this period. In the early 1960s, as electronic instruments and modern musical technologies were introduced, American and British instrumental groups such as The Shadows and The Ventures flourished.

Many Filipino instrumental bands also gained notoriety during this time; some of the groups that gained popularity were: The Deltas, The Celtics, RJ & The Riots, The Technicolors, The Downbeats, The Hi-Jacks, and the Electromaniacs.

The first Filipinosongwriters came into being through these bands.

1970s Popular rock music was written and produced entirely in English up until the 1970s. Later, rock music started to be written in local languages in the early '70s.

The first to write and perform in the local dialects were bands such as the Juan Dela Cruz Band. This mixture of lyrics in Tagalog and English has become a popular theme. In the Philippines, the mixing of the two languages, called "Taglish," has already been widely used in casual speech, but rarely in musical form. Using this language mix in song lyrics was seen as a bold new step, but for generations to come, the success of many famous Taglish songs, such as Sharon Cuneta's first hit "Mr DJ," broke the barrier. During the 1970s, along with using more Tagalog in the composition of lyrics, Filipino music became more nationalistic and political.

With artists such as Apo Hiking Society and Hotdog, pop music continued to dominate the airwaves. Songs popularized by Taglish lyrics such as "Ang Miss Universe ng Buhay Ko" have also enabled the new music generation named "Manila Sound" and “OPM” to further innovate.

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s 0 8 19

Ligaya | 9 Artists including Regine Velasquez, Sharon Cuneta, APO Hiking Culture, José Mari Chan, Dingdong Avanzado, Rodel Naval, Janno Gibbs, Ogie Alcasid, Joey Albert, Lilet, Martin Nievera, Manilyn Reynes, Pops Fernandez, Lea Salonga, Vina Morales, Raymond Lauchengco, Francis Magalona, and Gary Valenciano, among many others, led OPM between the 1980s and 1990s. Folk rock became the 1980's Philippine protest music, and during the 1986 EDSA Revolution, Aguilar's "Bayan Ko" became popular as an anthem. Around the same time, the rise of politically oriented songs was rejected by the counterculture. A punk rock scene was established in Manila, led by bands like Betrayed, The Jerks, Urban Bandits and Contras. The influence of New Wave was also felt during these years, spearheaded by The Dawn. Since the early 1980s, the Philippines has been considered to have had the first hip-hop music scene in Asia, mainly due to the historical links between the nation and the United States where hip-hop originated. In various languages, such as Tagalog, Chavacano, Cebuano, Ilocano and English, rap music published in the Philippines has emerged. Francis M and Andrew E. in the Philippines are listed as the country's most popular rappers, being the first to release mainstream rap albums.

The popular artists/bands in the 1990s included, among many others, Eraserheads, Smokey Mountain, Donna Cruz, Jessa Zaragoza, Ariel Rivera, Southborder, Afterimage, Andrew E., Jaya, Rivermaya, Ella May Saison. Performances were frequently situated in a live band scene in this era. Songs popularized by groups such as the Neocolours, Side A, Introvoys, The Teeth, Yano, True Faith, Passage, and Freestyle clearly represent the romantic character of OPM pop. The 1990s saw the rise of Eraserheads, regarded as the number one group in the Philippine recording scene by many Philippine nationals. A series of influential Filipino rock bands such as Yano, Siakol, Parokya ni Edgar, and Rivermaya emerged in the wake of their success, each of which combines the influence of a variety of subgenres of rock into their style. Eraserheads being the number one group in the Philippines released Ligaya from their ultraelectromagneticpop debut album as the band's first 1993 single. It was the first album that they released as signed artists as well. After exchanging glances with a girl while waiting in line at a bank, vocalist Ely Buendia was inspired to write Ligaya. The song tells the frustrations of a suitor where he is telling the individual that if they become official, there will be admirable benefits.

1990s

2000s

Jazz has seen a revival in popularity. "W.D.O.U.J.I.(Witch Doctors of Underground Jazz Improvisation) generated initial impetus with their award-winning independent release "Ground Zero" released by the now defunct N/A Records in 2002 and the Tots Tolentino-led Buhay jazz quartet the year before that. This opened the way for later attempts, the most notable of which is the Johnny Alegre Affinity Filipino jazz supergroup, which released its eponymous debut album in 2005 under Candid Records, based in London. The rounds of the Las Vegas music circuit are also produced by Mon David. Among the female performers, Mishka Adams has been the most influential. The fusion of spoken words, jazz and rock, mainly attributed to the Radioactive Sago Project, is a recent development. Bob Aves and his ethno-infused music, The Jazz Volunteers and Akasha, who have anchored the now legendary underground jazz jams at Freedom Bar for almost half of the 11 years of their life, are other prominent names of late.

2010s

T I ME L I N E Spotify is known to be a platform where the artist can share their music which they saw striving artists may use to help them be discovered. In the early 2010s, Original Pilipino Music grew popular, especially among teenagers. With that, the popularity of OPM grew where teens have discovered more OPM artists through Spotify and other platforms. OPM artists grew which even reached Top Charts, Top 100 Songs, and Viral Charts which has an estimated 59 million streams from the app itself. The Philippines has loved music for decades back which brings memories, and joy from the music industry brings to Filipinos. Artists such as Ben&Ben, Moira de la Torre, December Avenue, I Belong to the Zoo, Sarah Geronimo, and more grew popularity through their rhythms, melodies, and lyrics.

They helped grew popularity to OPM which eventually reached internationally. Artists from various countries such as South Korea, Thailand, and other countries have heard Leaves by Ben&Ben which they felt that how the song was delivered through its melodies, and lyrics are very expressive. The song expresses emotions that they felt were very touching which helped the OPM industry grew internationally.

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S O N G

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L I S T

FOREIGN FOREIGN VS. VS. OPM OPM The song’s opening, “Oo nga pala, hindi nga pala tayo,” had Filipinos

dubbing

it

as

national

anthem

for

the

those

“umaasa” and currently in the friendzone.

Huwag

Kang

Matakot by Eraserheads, one of the pioneers in the OPM industry (Ray, 2020), is one of Original Pilipino Music (OPM) has long been regarded as inferior to other countries’ music.

The belief that OPM is heavily influenced by Western music, together with crab mentality, hinders Filipinos from seeing the uniqueness that OPM actually brings.

OPM

offers

people’s

lyrics

that

emotions

automatically

and

make

stir

them

up feel

nostalgic. 2002 Himig Handog Music Love Song Festival

Winner,

Kung

Ako

Na

Lang

Sana,

composed by Soc Villanueva and sung by Bituin Escalante this

day,

(Tuliao, 2014) is still popular up to with

different

Filipino

artists

the must-listen to, especially today in times of COVID-19, because it gives comfort to people.

Its

closing

line,

“Huwag kang matakot, ‘di kita pababayaan

kailanman,”

assures its listeners that there is

nothing

provides

to

them

fear the

and

strength

they need (Castillo & Castillo, 2020).

still

making a cover of it, because of its heartwrenching lyrics accompanied by a soothing tune. The song, especially its chorus, “Kung ako na lang sana ang ‘yong minahal, ‘di ka na muling luluha pa,” makes people remember the times that they felt the pain of loving someone who doesn’t love them back. Released 14 years ago, Migraine by Moonstar88 still captures the hearts

of

Filipinos

with

its

relatable

lyrics,

garnering almost 6 million YouTube views on its official

music

video

and

almost

34

million

YouTube views on its performance video on Wish 107.5 Bus.

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OPM

artists

do

not

undergo

extensive

training before they are allowed to debut, unlike foreign artists, specifically, Korean idols. The training period for trainees could last from five to ten years depending on the trainees’ company or contract. Moreover,

FOREIGN VS. OPM

their training does not only focus on their singing

skills.

acting,

and

It

also

includes

sometimes,

dancing,

language

classes

(Chua, 2017). Completely different from this, most OPM artists are either discovered from talent shows, like Sarah Geronimo who won in the singing contest named “Star of a Night”

(OneMusicPH

underdog

Team,

discoveries,

2016),

like

or

are

Eraserheads

whose story began at the University of the Philippines

before

they

rose

to

stardom

(Sutton, n.d.).

OPM songs are crafted beautifully. In the Philippines, something

pursuing

art

impractical

is

regarded

(Cristobal,

as

2018),

which means that the love that these OPM artists have for music is incredibly strong that it results in wonderfully made music.

Their

passion

and

determination

to

be

recognized for their talents and skills can all be seen in their quality works (UDOU Team, n.d.).

OPM

showcases

Filipino

culture

that

represents the Filipinos, their stories, their struggles, and their resiliency, and sparks their nationalism. This can be seen in songs like Bamboo’s “Noypi”, Francis Magalona’s “Mga

Kababayan

Ko”,

and

The

Hotdogs’

“Manila”, which beams Filipino pride.

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AESTHETICS AESTHETICS AND AND OPM OPM

Original Pilipino Music The aesthetic of Original Pilipino Music (OPM) is quite different compared to popular pop music from western culture. OPMs are more expressive in terms of bringing out different strong emotions of the artist. When people are listening to OPM, every lyrics, and melody of the song may have a huge impact on the emotions of the listeners. Most of the Original Pilipino Musics (OPM) does not require any fancy music beats or sounds to make the music more exciting

and appealing to their listeners but just simple a cord of a guitar or a melody from a piano and with a emotional and meaningful lyrics it can already capture the emotions and ears of the listeners and to let them become more relatable to the music. It is evident most of Original Philippine Music (OPM) singers are “underground” or indie and are not signed to any mainstream music record. The singers does not release music just to please the listeners but their main purpose is to sing about their emotions and what they are really feeling either about their experiences with life, love and the society.

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Aesthetic Aesthetic and and OPM OPM Philippines music has always been hugely influenced by the unique culture and the history of the country (Guzman, 2020). The music reflects the diversity of the culture throughout the years and had been influenced by various colonizers. These days, OPM is making its comeback, with many “underground” artists making a huge hit and reaching the top of the local music charts (Enriquez, 2019). With this, it is evident that Filipino listeners now cater to more emotional and ballad songs that they can really relate to like love, past experiences, and the society that we are living in.

Filipinos are also being ranked first as the most emotional compare to citizens of other countries which makes OPM very popular among Filipino listeners (Staff Report, 2019). For so many years, western music has always been very popular and dominant in the country, but the rising number of talented OPM artists, it can bring back the glory and the recognitions that OPM music deserves.

" OPM is making its comeback," Ligaya | 15

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Lifestyle Lifestyle of of Filipinos Filipinos OPM can let the Filipino listeners to The existence and the rise of OPM

relate their different emotions and

inspired Filipinos to pursue music.

appreciate the message the artist is

How

trying to give through their music. It

OPM

was

able

to

break

barriers and leave a long-lasting

can

impact on people paved the way

become more expressive of their own

for today’s OPM artists. How OPM

emotions through music or any other

reached other countries showed

artforms. As Filipino singers being

Filipinos

praised

how

music

has

a

also

inspire

and

the

listeners

recognized

for

to

their

promising potential in being a

musical talents internationally, it let

product marketable across other

OPM have a huge potential in gaining

cultures and is not something to be

international recognition and spread

reduced as impractical.

the diverse culture that can only be found in the Philippines to the world.

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P R A E C E P I T A MU S IC

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With the rise of OPM in the country, it is nice to hop on the trend and have a deeper understanding about what the OPM is all about and why it is getting more recognition throughout the years. There are a lot of reasons why OPM is getting more popular among Filipino listeners with just its simple guitar chord and piano keys. The lyrics and the meaning behind every OPM song tells a story — a story wherein many listeners can relate to and are interested to know more.

D DA AV VIID DC CU UA A

Appreciating OPM keeps the Filipino culture alive. OPM represents the Filipinos and tells other people who they are, what their stories are, and what struggles have they faced. Without it, the Filipino culture might no longer thrive and lose its identity.

ANAHEIM ANAHEIM MAGCAMIT MAGCAMIT

Every Filipino enjoys different types of music genres from both local and international. While we appreciate music all over the world, we somewhat go back to OPM music one way or another.

Listening to local artists gives a different feeling of communication that we as Filipinos only understand by listening to OPM. Certain songs remain a classic that if it plays we know instinctively that it's a classic because of the memories that it gave us. OPM treasures memories to Filipinos that provides communication to fellow Filipinos with the same experiences.

JENISSA MIDEL

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Listening to music is one of every Filipino’s favorite and Original Pinoy Music plays a significant role in driving that interest. Regardless of the infinite number of international songs, OPM songs still continue to live on— reflecting the unique cultural preferences of every Filipino that one can only discover in the Philippines. The OPM scene is filled with songs that can make an individual discern and feel. Given that it is created by the talented Filipino Musicians, it depicts the sentiments of the majority which makes it more timely and relatable to Filipinos. Nonetheless, all songs are constructed beautifully as it serves as a reflection of the creativity and uniqueness of the Filipino culture.

Considering the fact that the process of becoming a popular musician in the country is complex, it is obvious how passion, determination and hardwork is what makes OPM music full of craft. Producing such quality music serves as an avenue to show how OPM can speak the hearts and minds of every Pinoy— keeping the Filipino culture alive. An example of this is Bamboo’s Noypi which not only encourages patriotism within all of us but also our resiliency as a nation; It makes us realize that in defiance of great adversities, all can survive.

Collectively, OPM represents the Filipinos and imparts who they are, what their stories are, and what struggles they have faced; it allows all to express what they feel not only in their own ways but also in a creative manner.

KURT KURT RAMOS RAMOS

KAILA LAT

OPM is so much more than just Filipino music. This type of music goes beyond its definition because OPM is flexible. It gives justice to the Filipino talent since it showcases the creativity, culture, and lifestyle in the Philippines. A clear example to this are the songs of the band Eraserheads. Their songs have different meanings and they all have their own interpretation. It features a story and some tragedies that happen in the Philippines. Their songs also have hidden meanings that are far from the mood of the song. Just like the song “Ang Huling El Bimbo” where the mood is very jolly and happy but the meaning is actually about childhood friends who hid their love for each other then suddenly after not seeing each other for a long time, the girl actually struggled in her live and eventually died after being hit by a car. OPM songs individually tell their own story where one must fully understand to know about the events that happen in the Philippines. These songs show a lot of character and it truly reflects the Filipino culture.

L LI G A Y A REFERENCES:

BERLEANT, A. (2002). EMBODIED MUSIC. ENVIRONMENT AND THE ARTS: PERSPECTIVES ON ART AND ENVIRONMENT. 10.17613/M68W3825B BRATTICO, P., BRATTICO, E., & VUUST, P. (2017). GLOBAL SENSORY QUALITIES AND AESTHETIC EXPERIENCE IN MUSIC. FRONTIERS IN NEUROSCIENCE, 11.

DOI:10.3389/FNINS.2017.00159 CASTILLO, M. & CASTILLO, F. (2020, DECEMBER 9). FEELING DOWN? HERE'S A LIST OF SONGS FROM FILIPINO ARTISTS (AND CAUSES YOU CAN SUPPORT) TO LIFT YOUR SPIRITS THIS QUARANTINE SEASON. RETRIEVED FROM BANDWAGON: HTTPS://WWW.BANDWAGON.ASIA/ARTICLES/FEELINGDOWN-HERE-SONGS-FILIPINO-ARTISTS-CAUSES-SUPPORTLIFT-SPIRITS-RIVERMAYA-ERASERHEADS-BAMBOOCORONAVIRUS-COVID-19-PHILIPPINES CHUA, J. (2017, JANUARY 27). THE EXTREMES THAT KOREANS TAKE TO BECOME A KPOP IDOL. RETRIEVED FROM ROJAKDAILY: HTTPS://ROJAKDAILY.COM/ENTERTAINMENT/ARTICLE/1728/TH E-EXTREMES-THAT-KOREANS-TAKE-TO-BECOME-A-KPOP-IDOL CRISTOBAL, L. (2018, JULY 12). WHY CREATIVE WORK IS CONSTANTLY UNDERVALUED. RETRIEVED FROM CNN PHILIPPINES: HTTPS://CNNPHILIPPINES.COM/LIFE/CULTURE/2018/07/12/CREA TIVE-WORK.HTML DE GUZMAN, P. (2020, MARCH 19). HISTORICAL NOTES: WHY FILIPINOS LOVE MUSIC SO MUCH. RETRIEVED FROM HTTPS://PH.ASIATATLER.COM/LIFE/HISTORICAL-NOTES-ONWHY-FILIPINOS-LOVE-MUSIC ENRIQUEZ, M. (2019, AUGUST 15). WHAT IS ORIGINAL PILIPINO MUSIC / OPM? — UNDISCOVERED MARKETS & FESTIVALS. UNDISCOVERED MARKETS & FESTIVALS. RETRIEVED FROM HTTPS://WWW.UNDISCOVEREDSF.COM/BLOG/2019/8/15/WHA T-IS-ORIGINAL-PILIPINO-MUSIC-OPM FOR THE RECORD. (2019, MARCH 27). THE OPM BALLADS OF THE PHILIPPINES WILL MAKE YOU GET UP AND SING. RETRIEVED FEBRUARY 04, 2021, FROM HTTPS://NEWSROOM.SPOTIFY.COM/2019-03-27/ THE-OPMBALLADS-OF-THE-PHILIPPINES-WILL-MAKE-YOU-GET-UP-ANDSING/#:~:TEXT=FILIPINO %20POP%20MUSIC%2C%20OTHERWISE%20KNOWN,THE%20FIL IPINO%20MARKET% 20AND%20BEYOND. ONEMUSICPH TEAM. (2016, APRIL 5). OVERNIGHT SENSATIONS: 4 OPM SINGERS WHO WENT FROM AMATEUR TO PROFESSIONAL! RETRIEVED FROM HTTPS://WWW.ONEMUSIC.PH/NEWS/THE-SINGINGCHAMPIONS-445 RAY. (2020, DECEMBER 24). BEST FILIPINO (OPM) BANDS OF ALL TIME. RETRIEVED FROM HTTPS://SPINDITTY.COM/ARTISTS-BANDS/BEST-FILIPINO-OPMBANDSGROUPS-OF-ALL-TIME

MEMBERS: Writers:

David Cua Anaheim Magcamit Kaila Camille Lat Jenissa Mae Midel Kurt Ramos

Editor: Jenissa Mae Midel

RODRIGO, I. A., & TAÑEDO, B. G. (2014, OCTOBER 22).

PLAYBACK HISTORY. RETRIEVED FEBRUARY 04, 2021, FROM HTTPS://THEGUIDON.COM/1112/MAIN/2014/10/PLAYBACKHISTORY/ SUTTON, M. (N.D.). THE ERASERHEADS. RETRIEVED FROM ALLMUSIC: HTTPS://WWW.ALLMUSIC.COM/ARTIST/THEERASERHEADS-MN0001860858/BIOGRAPHY TULIAO, J. (2014, AUGUST 22). HIMIG HANDOG LOVE SONGS PAST GRAND WINNERS. RETRIEVED FROM HTTPS://WWW.MANILLENIALS.COM/HIMIG-HANDOG-LOVESONGS-PAST-GRAND-WINNERS/ UDOU TEAM. (N.D.). REACT: WHAT MAKES OPM SPECIAL? RETRIEVED FROM HTTPS://UDOU.PH/MUSIC/TIMECAPSULE/WHAT-MAKES-OPM-SPECIAL/

ISSUE 1 VOLUME 1

BY GROUP DISCUSSION THREE A GUIDE ON ORIGINAL PILIPINO MUSIC 2021 INTERACTIVE MAGAZINE