Linggo Ng Musikang Pilipino 2021 goes digital with diverse and inclusive programming

“In an ideal situation, we would have wanted to have live shows and concerts so that fans of Filipino Music will get to have that real-life concert experience once again. But of course, there are a lot of considerations that we have to make. Our priority is to mount this festival safely and responsibly for everyone. For the time being, the social media platforms are a suitable alternative to allow artists to perform without the health risks brought about by the pandemic.” ~Noel Cabangon, OPM Icon and OPM Board Member 

Linggo Ng Musikang Pilipino 2021

The upcoming series of virtual events continues its commitment to holding multiple shows with diverse and inclusive music programming. Going digital for the second time, LMP will feature performances from top and emerging OPM acts, as well as talks and workshops aimed at championing homegrown music in a time that needs it.

Linggo Ng Musikang Pilipino (LMP) marks its second digital edition this year with a commitment to promoting awareness and appreciation of OPM artists from all over the world through multiple social media platforms.

Linggo Ng Musikang Pilipino 2021

The weeklong celebration promises a wide variety of music programs that not only cater to a specific format, but also encompasses concerts and gigs, open mic challenges, exclusive premieres, workshops, and a lecture series.

 

The series of virtual events will run from July 23 to August 1, and will be streamed live via Facebook and KUMU.

Aside from a diverse set of homegrown talents performing online, LMP also partners with key and emerging stakeholders in the music industry such as:

• AmiananPop
• MinPop
• Kadasig & Artist Ko
• Soupstar Music
• Warner Music Philippines

To ensure that artists with different backgrounds, and from different regions, are given equal opportunities to perform and engage with the community. 

“We wanted there to be a balance between independent artists and mainstream/signed artists from all over the country and to try to cover as many styles and genres as possible. OPM already has a large roster of artists and we wanted to be able to feature as many as we can from the organization. We took into consideration their music and styles as well as the platforms that they are active in for the artists performing the LMP DigiGigs.” ~Christian Bautista 

Aside from the music shows and online concerts featuring the roster of PhilPop’s past champions and finalists, LMP is partnering with PETA for a special online showcase featuring the songs from Rak Of Aegis, as well as songwriting and learning opportunities that are spearheaded by the institution’s other partners, FILSCAP and PhilPop.

Linggo Ng Musikang Pilipino 2021

Even as the music industry is struggling to get back to its former glory and a lot of plans are derailed by the pandemic, LMP refuses to back down in its efforts to persevere and push through with mounting an online celebration that champions Filipino musicians not just from Metro Manila, but also from other parts of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, and the rest of the globe.

“Desire to just challenge the situation that we are in. We wanted to highlight how Filipino Music is here to stay and will continue to be a part of our lives and a sense of hope despite the challenges in these trying times. The creation and support of Filipino music should never stop because our songs are able to reflect the story and the culture of the Filipino people.” ~Gab Cabangon, LMP Project Manager 

OPM Icon and OPM Board Member Noel Cabangon maintains that nothing can stop this important milestone in the history of Philippine music from happening. 

Linggo Ng Musikang Pilipino 2021

Linggo Ng Musikang Pilipino 2021

Linggo Ng Musikang Pilipino 2021

Organized and produced by Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mang-aawit (OPM) and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), LMP has been around since 2014, and has established itself as the premiere annual music festival of Filipino music. 

This year’s edition will be headlined by some of the biggest and most promising artists in local music such as:

• Noel Cabangon
• Christian Bautista
• Sandwich
• 6cyclemind
• Gracenote
• Bayang Barrios
• Cookie Chua
• PhilPop Grand Champions Reon and Chud Festejo
• Miss Ramonne
• Artists from Warner Music Philippines like Ferdinand Aragon and Y ARA
• and many many more!

This event is also supported by private companies such as Max’s Restaurant, KUMU and KUMUSIKA, The Medical City and Shopee among others.

Melancholia as Universal Theme: PhilPop releases third batch of songs

Universal Theme: Melancholia, PhilPop's third batch of songs

This year, PhilPop takes the competition to an entirely impressive scale with the official release of songs from the North Luzon clusters. 

The latest batch balances compelling drama and introspection as it gravitates toward themes of unrequited love, romantic dissolution, and abusive relationships. Produced with professional polish and help from PhilPop, the newest selection includes “Paos,” composed by Angelic Mateo and interpreted by Keiko Necessario; “Balikan,” composed by Lolito Go and interpreted by Benj Manalo and the Collective; and “Agsardeng,” composed by TJ Paeldon and Abby Esteban, and interpreted by Miss Ramone. Distributed by Warner Music Philippines, the homegrown songs are now available today, November 6, 2020 (Friday) on all digital and streaming platforms worldwide via PhilPop.

“This song is a way to remind people that everyone fights a unique battle. Moreover, it hopes to emphasize how people must not forget to genuinely understand what the other one is going through because reaching the bottom thorns and wanting to pause does not make a precious soul weak.” ~Mateo

Paos: The beauty of unspoken emotions

Beautifully written with tenderness and warmth, “Paos” documents the repressed feelings of being tried and lost, but still wanting to be found. According to its composer Angelic Mateo, the song speaks about the aching truth in our everyday lives and the reality behind the unspoken emotions that reflect one’s bottom points. 

The subtly produced track is interpreted by acclaimed singer-songwriter Keiko Necessario, who gave her own incredible spin on the serene pop ballad. Despite her own vocal inflection and stylistic take, Necessario remains faithful to the underlying message of the song, careful not enough to blur its intentions while owning the material with a genuine understanding of what it’s all about. 

“Balikan” is a post-breakup anthem that laments on the irreversibility of the past and mocks the prospects of reunion. According to composer Lolito Go, the song was inspired by his friend Jake Vargas’ split with actress Bea Binene. 

“I was challenged to write a song about it and that's the time I wrote the first draft of Balikan. The song revolved around a couple of lines I originally wrote 7 years ago for a popular ‘Hugot’ page on Facebook back when I was one of its content writers.” ~ Lolito Go,Singer-Songwriter

Balikan: a dissolution of romance

The early iteration of “Balikan” leans on the acoustic ballad side and was set to be performed by Jake Vargas. But after being selected as one of the fellows for PhilPop Bootcamp, Go had a change of heart, and the song underwent changes in terms of how it was arranged and produced. The final version is reimagined by Benj Manalo and the Collective, whose Motown-inspired, funky feel deserves props.

”We wanted to write a socially relevant yet easily digestible pop song that could hopefully serve as a voice and inspiration to those who have survived and are still experiencing gender-based and domestic violence. This is their story we are amplifying.” ~Abby Esteban

Agsardeng: breaking the cycle of abuse

Agsardeng is an empowering song that tackles the breakage from the cycle of abusive relationships. According to Abby Esteban, one of the composers of the emotionally penned track, it follows the story of a person who is stuck in recurring domestic abuse and finally decides to emancipate from its trappings to start anew. 

Esteban and her co-composer TJ Paeldon used Ilocano and Filipino lyrics in its attempt to convey both the regional and global appeal of their entry while catering to contemporary listening standards.

 

“We are also aiming on promoting the Ilocano dialect mixed with our National language which is Filipino, for us it's all about bridging the gap between Filipino and our Ilocano dialect so everyone can appreciate this song and also appreciate the beauty of the Ilocano language which makes a very large portion of the North Luzon cluster.” ~TJ Paeldon 

As for the overall sound, Esteban and Paeldon are very particular with melding Ilocano native instruments with vintage-sounding synthesizers to recreate their version of a modern lullaby. Interpreter Miss Ramone adds her sultry and soulful take on the intricately nuanced jam while making sure to keep up with the ambition of its sound design.

“Paos,” “Balikan,” and “Agsardeng” are now available on streaming and digital platforms worldwide via PhilPop and Warner Music Philippines.