“Music is an effective channel for the expression of the Filipino psyche, taste and social behavior, also , it is a tool that changes construction of a national identity”
- RAMON P. SANTOS, PH. D.
YESS!! Filipinos were very emotional in general, and a relationship means so much to this nationality that actually inspires their heart to sing out. Filipinos tend to express their emotions thru writing songs and singing which they called OPM that stands for Original Filipino Music, this OPM gain a lot of attention to every Filipinos in the Philippines for it serves a realistic art that represents the country, Philippines.
Before we breakdown the music of Filipino to OPM from its old Music, let us have the overview of its origin.
ENTERTAINMENT AS COMPENSATION
Philippines is a known country for planting, which happens to be the daily living of traditional Filipinos or specifically called katutubo, these katutubo were entertaining themselves thru singing whenever they are planting just to compensate to the high rise sun and thirst from work
RELIGION, A WAY TO KNOW INSTRUMENTS
Years had passed, Colonization takes place, because of Religion, Filipinos were taught to sing in different language, songs that consists of words about God, preaching and holy words were taught as well, because of this, the use of instruments that are known in Latin America were also taught to Filipinos, instruments such as Flute, guitar etc. Were a basic must known instrument for the Filipinos who believes in God.
MIX NATIONALITY FOR ONE MUSIC
As colonization continuous, Filipinos tend to adapt the genres that Espanols introduced to the Filipino, and so combinations of different Nations were form in the Philippines, Latin America, Spanish, America and Indigenous Filipino genres and themes were mixed, that ends up to the music of Filipinos during those times. In this year
Those were the origin of Filipino Music way back then, and it has sent an impact to the following years were independence of the Filipino People takes place.
In the year 1980s, making a group consist of singers and musicians who uses instruments were a fad, that actually leads the Philippines to enjoy wide variety of genres.
Because of this, singing and song writing were a useful act in spreading information and awareness to Filipino Music listeners, also in this year, controversial issues were being circulated with the use of music resulting to Filipinos having their social stand.
YEARS AFTER
FILIPINO PRESENTS!!!!
OPM(Original Filipino Music)
In this year, OPM was introduced to the Filipino People, which stands for Original Filipino Music,these artworks are the ones created originally by the Filipino Citizens and are performed by Filipino Artist, from the very first day it was released and up until to this very day, OPM songs were being supporteed by the Filipinos.
PRESENT DAY…
Bands were very much known until to this point because of their songs that are very much Filipino related, whether it may be in love life, family related songs, relationship songs or in work related pieces, all those topics were being served by the Filipino band resulting to Filipinos supporting singers and bands, in fact, in this past years, whenever there is a college party, or either school party/ gathering, bands are one of the top rated guests that students asks for, in line with this, bands are getting higher population compared in the years 1980.
FILIPINOS SUPPORTING OPM
It was clear that Filipinos stands for OPM, these are the reasons why..
MOOD
Each songs for every Filipinos where a representation of their own mood, either they are sad, happy or just neutral, It became the characteristic of your DAY, a relaxing method or in the other way around, it builds the mood of a person, from negative to positive, real quick, it helps change the temperature and the feelings with the use of music.
CHARACTER
Also one of the reasons why Filipino supports OPM is that, it is their experience, it is their struggle and their support as a human. Since Filipinos are into so much relationship, like best friend relationship, family relationship, and bf/gf relationship, it became their voice in a way that it helps them expose their words through the use of music.
TRADITION
Filipinos are known for having Fiesta, and each fiesta consist of food, religion and of course the bands, this bands are present during colonization times which Filipinos then adapt to that kind of gathering.
During special events, karaoke will surely be present.
References:
TITLE: COLONIAL COUNTERPOINT (MUSIC IN EARLY MODERN MANILA)
AUTHOR: D.R.M. Irving
Oxford university press 2010
American Anthropologist
Title: The Music Of The Filipinos
Vol. 8 №4
Author: Frances Densmore
Date: October-December 1906
https://anthrosource.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1525/aa.1906.8.4.02a00020
Title: Constructing a national identity through music
Author: Ramon P. Santos PH,D
DATE: June 13 2003
https://aboutphilippines.org/files/Constructing-a-National-Identity-Through-Music.pdf
