Ogie Alcasid Elected as President of Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mang-aawit (OPM)
Singer-songwriter Ogie Alcasid was unanimously elected president with Gary Valenciano, Noel Cabangon, and Christian Bautista as vice presidents for internal affairs, external affairs, and special projects, respectively. Dingdong Avanzado assumed the post of corporate secretary while Jose Mari Chan is the new treasurer.
Mitch Valdes, immediate past president, was elevated to the position of chairman of the Board of Trustees. Former presidents Celeste Legaspi and Jim Paredes and OPM Executive Director Elmar Beltran Ingles complete the board as ex-officio members.
A mix of veteran and upcoming singers participated in the OPM General Assembly held on June 16 to elect the new board which will serve for a term of two years.
“The new OPM Board will work not only for the rights and welfare of Filipino singers and performing artists but also for the projection of our role in social transformation,” Alcasid stated when asked about the platform of his leadership. “I dream of a Philippine Music Industry that will regain its significance in the whole entertainment industry and the Philippine society a well. It is from this industry that the country has garnered recognition from the world and it is sad that we cannot speak of it as productive enough to be called as such.”
Chan added that “our music reflects the soul of the nation” and called for the same level playing field between OPM and foreign songs and singers. Valenciano envisions unity and fellowship among all singers to achieve shared goals, while Cabangon pushed for the advocacy and recognition for Philippine music and singers to help in the promotion of a national consciousness.
For their part, Avanzado and Bautista are inspired to work with various generations of Filipino singers in ensuring a respectable place for Philippine music in the global performing arena.
“These are exciting times for Filipino performers to meet the challenges of their craft and market. The infusion of young blood into the OPM is a very welcome development that proves artists are responsible citizens, too, and that we care deeply about or industry and our culture in general,” enthused Valdes who expressed confidence that her long time leadership has been passed on to capable new music leaders.
The new board plans to work for the protection of Filipino singers’ rights and welfare through pro-active dialogues with other stakeholders of the music industry. It seeks to engage the national and local government units in crafting policies and programs that affect the industry and its constituencies. Fund raising projects similar to OPM’s past initiatives such as the Kaya Natin Ito concert for the benefit of typhoon Ondoy victims will also be launched.
Established in 1986. OPM is the only artists’ organization accredited by the United Nations Department of Public Information in the entire Asia-Pacific region. It is a non-stock, non-profit corporation duly registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Its objectives include advocating policies for the growth of the music industry; ensuring support, legal assistance and professional enhancement for members; promoting patronage of local singers and original Filipino musical compositions; and continuing promotion for recognition and protection of the Filipino music and singers in the international arena.
Membership details and application forms may be accessed at the OPM website (http://opm.org.ph/membership.html). For enquiries, contact the OPM Secretariat at 7217229 or through email opmsingers@gmail.com.
Source: Mr. Elmer Beltran Ingles
