Heading the OPM Archive Foundation are the “next gen” members of the group, Moy Ortiz, President; Krina Cayabyab, Vice President; Dinah Remolacio, Treasurer and Chevy Salvador, Secretary, while the more senior members will stay on as board members and advisers.

The archive is a separate entity from Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mang-aawit (OPM) in that it will serve as a foundation that collects and documents not just the actual original Filipino music, but also narratives, photographs, music sheets and press releases. Originally, the term “OPM” referred to the inclusive period from the 70s to 80s when a rich influx of new and modern sounds, melodies, lyrics, singers and musicians flooded the airwaves, and even the theater, with original dance musicals as “Rama Hari” and “Tales of the Manuvu”. Among the familiar and popular voices that emerged, aside from Celeste Legaspi’s were Basil Valdez, Hajji Alejandro, Sampaguita, Mike Hanopol, Florante, Freddie Aguilar, Leah Navarro, Didith Reyes, just to name a few.


The archive, however, for the purposes of music research and study for future generations, shall extend its borders to the precedents of this era, the 60’s, and extend to the present, and hopefully can be sustained into the future, for the identification and recognition of music development. The accompanying narratives will seek to contextualize the music in its specific social relevance that defined each period, and perhaps identify continuity to the next period.

Plans for the OPM Archive gave rise before the lockdown, when the Filipinas Heritage Library (FHL), where the archive was to be housed, was ready to receive the hard copy donations. With the lockdown, FHL head, Suzanne Yupangco and the archive group agreed to go digital. This does not, however, preclude the collecting of hard copies once the quarantine period is over. There is nothing like seeing the original “in the flesh”. While each hard copy donation will be digitized, the original copies will also be preserved through actual preventive conservation, knowing how digitization alone can be prone to obsolescence because of evolving digital formats.


Music plays a major role in peoples’ lives. It is something everyone cares about. And the archive hopes to ensure that the musical gems it documents and collects will live on from generation to generation, so children, grandchildren and even great grandchildren can appreciate, learn from, and perhaps someday, revise, improvise, follow or change approaches to music.

The archive is now open for digital collection, and is open to the public for donations. Just log on to opmarchive.com.

The launch of the OPM Archive is an initiative of founding members of OPM, led by its founder and first president, Celeste Legaspi, with Girlie Rodis, Tats Rejante Manahan, Lyca Benitez Brown, next generatiogeneration members, Moy Ortiz, Chevy Salvador, Dinah Remolacio and Krina Cayabyab.

New breed, new band but same blood, these are Jerome Abalos children, the SOLABROS.COM. Brothers who are born and raised in the urban neighborhood of Mandaluyong City, Philippines. In case you forgot who Jerome Abalos is, he is just one of the many multi-talented and multi-awarded musician in the country and he is well known for the monster hit song "Larawang Kupas".  And for those who favors the thrash metal sound, he is the co-founder and frontman of the band "Death By Stereo" and the progressive rock band "Majesty."

Jerome Abalos released 3 solo albums and 2 studio albums with his band. Death by Stereo’s self titled debut album was certified gold record while his solo self-titled debut album featuring the monster hit song, LARAWANG KUPAS, was a certified platinum.

Nurtured by music from the moment they were conceived, Sean, Zack, and Shane grew up with the melodic sound of the keyboards, the ripping sound of heavy metal guitar solos, and the thunder-like beat of drums and percussions. Raised and mentored by a multi-talented, multi genre musical artist of a father and fueled by their mutual interest in rock and roll, heavy metal, progressive rock, and alternative rock,Solabros.com can be considered as one of the rising stars in the Philippines, be it local or in international music scene.

The band was formed in 2015 by singer, songwriter, and keyboard player Sean Abalos and his younger brother, lead guitarist and singer Zachary Jeymz. From the moment Sean and Zack held their instruments and started playing, it was clear that they had a future in the local and international music scene. The band was soon joined by the band’s drummer Shane Steven, the youngest of the Abalos brothers, who gave the band his powerful Lars Ulrich-like drumming style. “Initially, we just wanted to be a band,” recalled Sean. “But when Shane officially joined us and started making all those power beats and double basses, our paradigm shifted and our aspiration changed overnight.We now wanted, not just to be any band, we now wanted to be among the best bands locally and overseas.”

Though with different personalities, Sean, Zack, and Shane’s talents blended and clicked. In 2016, Solabros.com joined their first “Battle of the Bands,” their first public appearance. Since then, the trio had regular gigs in several bars in Manila and Luzon.
Sean Francis Abalos (vocals, keyboards) He is currently finishing his bachelor’s degree at Jose Rizal University in Mandaluyong City. After harnessing his God-given singing talent, Sean was trained on keyboards and has been loving his new skill ever since.
Shane Steven Abalos (drums, vocals) the youngest of the Abalos brothers. At 14 years old, Shane is currently a freshman in high school. With his passion for drums and percussion, Shane was initially trained to play the drums by his father. Shane focused with his training and has dramatically improved his drums and vocals skills. At only 14 years old and only a year of playing, Shane can now be considered a drummer par excellence.
Zachary Jeymz Abalos (guitars, vocals) He was exposed to musical at a very young age. He is a currently in junior high school. With the encouragement of his dad, Zack trained himself to play the guitar, starting with acoustic, he leveled up almost overnight and has since mastered the electric guitar. At only 16 years old, and only a year of playing, Zack has become a guitar phenom. His skills were way beyond his years.

To get more updates, learn more about the brothers and about the bands shows, events, and tours join the Solabros.Com's email list. Also follow their social media accounts, facebook, twitter, and Instagram.

SOLABROS.COM
Featuring JEROME ABALOS
Facebook : www.facebook.com/solabros/
                  www.facebook.com/jeromeabalosdbs/
Twitter : @solabros
Instagram : @solabros_com
YouTube : www.youtube.com/c/jeromeabalos

One of the great local singer of this generation, Jed Madela, will be celebrating his 10th year in the music industry.  With his unique voice,  Kwento Ni Toto shares an upcoming events of Jed Madela's 10th year celebration.

From the time Jed started his singing career he has proven to be on top of his game and continues to soar high in the music industry, where competition is cutthroat and fame is volatile.  Apart from his best-selling albums, Jed is also a multi-awarded singer.  He is the Grandslam (3 years in a row)-Male Recording Artists in the Philippine Movie Press Club (PMPC) Star Awards for Music this 2013, and is the Concert of the Year awardee for two consecutive years from the Aliw Awards.

One of Kwento Ni toto's favorite songs are OPM's.  It brings good memories and unforgettable moments.  It is the life blood of my past experiences and learning in life.

Nyoy volante is back, singing around and pulling those strings of his guitar and it is no doubt that the spirit of Original Pilipino Music is still alive and kicking.  We all know Nyoy Volante for being the mellow when he sings and everyone credits him for being such a remarkable acoustic artist that's why he was able to have the title "King of Acoustic Pop".  Now that he has released a new album under MCA Music it has become more apparent that with his songwriting and artistic skills, he really had brought in a significant contribution into making OPM alive and kicking today.

Dream Big! As the Pinoy Dream Academy or PDA hailed Yeng Constantino as the grand Star Dreamer. Yeng Constantino made her dreams come true even more when her song “Hawak Kamay” became a hit and after four albums with a long list of chart-toppers earned her the title as the Philippines' Rock Princess.

Shown during her stay in PDA her love for writing songs and performing eventually became a passion to bring back OPM back to the mainstream and give Filipino musicians the recognition from all over the world. Last year when she performed at the Academy of Rock in Manila made that dream came into reality. After that performance , her song “Salamat” was included in the syllabus of the Academy of Rock and people behind the school namely Jeremy Ward of Rockschool UK, Charles Lim and Priscilla Teo of Academy of Rock in Singapore decided to give her an Honorary Licentiate Diploma. Yeng is the 7th person to be give this award among artists from all over the world for being a top notch performer and musician.

Last week, one of my correspondent, aka Justin was able to hear one of the bands in the country.  As Justin story tell this album launch of Gracenote, we were listening to the songs.  It's all packed and filled with their great music.  For those who hasn't heard the band Gracenote and their music here's a video and a their music as they perform.

MCA Music Awardees at the 25th Awit Awards (L-R): Tricia Garcia (Best Jazz Recording for "Sa Iyo Lang"), Johnny Alegre of Humanfolk (Best World Music Recording for "Para Sa Tao"), MCA Music President Ricky R. Ilacad and Asia's Acoustic Sweetheart Sabrina (Most Downloaded Artist)

MCA Music artists took home honors at the 25th Awit Awards held recently at the Glorietta Activity Center. Asia’s acoustic sweetheart Sabrina was the recipient for the second year as I-Gateway Mobile Philippines Inc.’s “Most Downloaded Artist”.

Noel Cabangon’s 2011 release Panaginip is undoubtedly the most awarded album of 2011 having been named Acoustic Album of the Year of the Star Awards for Music, the Secular Album of the Year of the Catholic Mass Media Awards, and the Album of the Year of the Awit Awards. This 3-peat-victory may well be considered a grandslam.

The launch of iTunes in Asia, particularly in the Philippines, has made both local and international music universal and readily available for everyone. Last June 2012, the biggest online media store in the world,made a grand debut in Asia as it opened in twelve territories including Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan and the Philippines making it easier for customers in the region to buy and download music and videos. Check out this year’s hottest album releases on iTunes Philippines only from MCA Music (Universal Music Philippines):

Thirty years after the song “Be My Lady” have been one of the most favourite love songs of OPM and as the rise of the Concert King Martin Nievera, PolyEast Records celebrates a legendary career with the release of the album MARTIN NIEVERA 3D: Tatlong Dekada.