Nostalgic Musings / Gulyak Russian recital May 8 / Madame Butterfly June 22, 23

‘Nostalgic Musings’ is by Joseph R. Atilano, an authority on popular music.

One of the best things about living in a country so musically diverse and rich in cultural heritage is that you don’t have to look far to find musicians whose performance you can watch. Just being able to explore the available venues and watch various gigs and concerts of singers and bands with virtually every style of music is a treat in itself. Think of any recognized genre and most likely, you will have a number of musicians who will represent that particular genre. Needless to say, the local scene is thriving and is very much alive for those who take the time to explore. Our popular culture is so imbedded in music, and that is important because not all Asian countries have what we’ve got — a natural gift for making music and an innate desire that has been there since the beginning to express one’s self through singing or playing an instrument. It all comes hand in hand with building a music community that will ensure the survival of OPM for many more years to come.

One of the defining moments in my life — and I can still remember that moment vividly — was watching National Artist for Music Levi Celerio on television playing a tune with a leaf. It was so mesmerizing for me! I think I was around 10 years old then, if am not mistaken. But what I do know is that it made me realize how musically gifted we are as a people. It gave me a sense of national pride. And I believe we owe it to National Artists like Levi Celerio to never forget who we are and where we come from. One of the most beautiful songs I’ve ever heard and still listen to this very day was originally composed by Celerio and has been performed by various musicians since then. It is “Kahit Konting Pagtingin,” the version sang by Ric Segreto. That song has a soft place in my heart and has a special meaning to me. That specific song is a reminder of a better time — when things weren’t so complex and not that corrupt in music. Levi Celerio is just but one of the many true geniuses in the history of OPM. There are so many Filipino musicians who deserve our recognition and admiration, both living and in heaven. I truly believe we wouldn’t be where we are now, in terms of the current singers and bands we have, were it not for our great musicians who came before us, our forefathers, and everyone else who helped build up OPM in its earliest phases back then. The young generation now has to remember the important and historical figures in music who laid the foundation for OPM. They are the pillar stones who helped build our music to what it is today. I know that as long as we continue to love our own music and make music that comes from the heart, then we wouldn’t be always overtaken by foreign music. There is nothing wrong if we like foreign music because we must acknowledge that this is from where we get a lot of our musical influences and which we, in turn, can develop and incorporate into our own musical style. But there is something terribly wrong and disturbing for me when you ask young kids of today about what they think about OPM and their reactions would be negative and sometimes, expressing disgust. That is disheartening for me and it makes me worry about a lot of things. I am a bit taken aback realizing that these kids would rather listen to K-Pop groups only than to anyone from our side. Hmm, I don’t get it. Why listen to albums we don’t understand and which albums even a majority of the Koreans who live here wouldn’t even buy? I get this particular information straight from the sales staff of record stores when I go on my regular rounds of album searching and buying. Where is our sense of national pride?

Have we forgotten how capable we are as musicians, how our musicians are held in high regard even in other countries and, that we are only as good as we think we can be? There really is no limit to how good we can be. The limitations are all in our heads, and reaching for the stars isn’t just a saying but a reality if you come to think of it.

At a very young age, I had already instilled in me the values of loving our own music. I remember hearing the records from the likes of Gary Valenciano, Freddie Aguilar, Lea Salonga, Ric Segreto, and Jose Mari Chan being played in the living room of our house. Even though I was still very young and my taste in music was not yet fully developed, just hearing those songs already “planted the seeds” of my eventual understanding and appreciation for OPM. I honestly believe that not everyone can understand the importance of OPM and how vital it is that we should not lose it. But to those who are the defenders and supporters of our music, we must never give up the fight and we must teach the new generation of kids our music history as well as the next generation that comes after them.

Now, let me ask you: what does OPM mean to you?

For comments and feedback email me at [email protected]

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Not-to-be-missed: Russian pianist Sofya Gulyak plays demanding Russian works May 8, 7:30 at the CCP Little Theater.

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The CCP and Music Artest Inc. will stage Puccini’s opera ‘Madame Butterfly’ at the CCP main theater June 22-23, featuring Japanese soprano Mako Nishimoto, Mexican tenor Dante Alcala, acclaimed soprano Camille Lopez, international baritone Andrew Fernando, with Gerard Salonga as PPO conductor.

Director Anton Juan will fuse the traditional and the contemporary; Francisco Feliciano will be music director. In supporting roles are John G. Gaerlan, Lemuel de la Cruz, Jonathan Velasco, Nonon Baang and Jun Jaranilla.

Leroy New will execute set and costumes; John Batalla, lighting effects.