By MJ Gonzales, Foodfindsasia.com |
#PalakasinAngBosesNgOPM is not just hashtag you’ll see online in support of Original Pilipino Music, it’s also the slogan you’ll see in major music bars. This is because from July 25 to 31, Philippines will have its first ‘Linggo ng Musikang Pilipino,’ which also be featured in various venues for OPM lovers.
Regular patrons of My Brother’s Mustache in Scout Tuazon; Route 196 Bar in Katipunan Ave., and
in Visayas Ave., all in Quezon City, will experience astounding night life as they also receive music treats from talented artists. These favorite hangouts of OPM artists join the festival so audience can expect entertaining shows. However, this event is not only about playing filipino songs like a marathon, it’s a Battle of the Bars too.
Besides of the mentioned venues, various bars in Makati also agreed to showcase Philippine music wonders. They are Saguijo Café & Bar in San Antonio Village, 12 Monkeys Music Hall & Pub in Kalayaan Avenue, and Strumms in Jupiter Street that surely prepare amazing shows filled with upbeat music. Meanwhile, 19th East in Sucat, Muntinlupa and Teatrino in Greenhills, San Juan also join the celebration.
“We tried music festival last year, September 5,”Noel Cabangon, Pinoy Music Festival Director, introduced in how Linggo ng Musikang Pilipino started at the press conference for said monumental event at My Brother’s Mustache . “ Maganda naman po ang kinalabasan marami po ang nag-support. We tried it to look at it as testing or as our pilot project. From that festival we thought of getting a proclamation since mahirap mag-lobby ng batas sa Kongreso.”
The singer-songwriter talks about President Noynoy Aquino’s proclamation No. 933 that sets last week of July as Linggo ng Musikang Pilipino. P-Noy signed the said Proclamation December last year and the government agency that spearheaded it is the National Commission on Culture and the Arts ( NCCA).
“Kaya nagpapasalamat po tayo sa ating pamahalaan, kay Pangulo na binigyan po tayo nito to address the promotion of Filipino music and use it,” the Kanlungan singer continued. “Iyong paggamit ng Filipino music sa lahat po ng mga estabishments, sa radio stations… sa mga bars etcetera. Siguro sa mga disco puwede silang gumamit sa week na ito.
“Isang linggo lang naman po ang hinihingi natin, but if this really be enforce and instill in the consciousness of every Filipino we should be able to appreciate and embrace once more what’s our Filipino music. Kahit rock n roll pa ‘yan, kahit jazz pa ‘yan as long as it’s a song written by a Filipino.
Cabangon also shared in details what’s going to happen before and during this week-long celebration and that includes “My OPM Playlist,” an exhibition of OPM Songs at Bonifacio High Street Amphitheater; Busking or street performances around Metro Manila; Philpop grand finals at the Meralco Theater, concert at the Rizal Park, music marathon in Quezon Memorial Circle and one-night free concert at Ayala Triangle ob July 31, 2015.
“Magkakaroon po ng #PalakasinAngBosesngOPM sessions. May iba’t ibang artists (na magpe-perform) po iyan, gabi-gabi po iyan. Magsisimula po ito sa Teatrino sa 25th of July.
“Makikita n’yo po rito na we’re really partner with some popular bars where our local musicians perform,” Cabangon said. “ All these bars also part of Battle of the Bars, contest po iyan na pagalingan po ng ipapalabas na OPM performances gabi-gabi. At pipillin kung sino ang mananalo.”
With Php 100, 000 prize at stake and motivation to promote OPM, participating bars and concert venues will definitely produce great shows and in full force to strengthen Pinoy Music.
