August 14, 2010, 3:
President Benigno S. Aquino III wants original Filipino musical compositions played more often in radio stations, noting that they have been a big part of his life.
Speaking during the oath-taking ceremonies of the Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mang-aawit officers and board of trustees in Malacañang Friday, Aquino directed the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), which has jurisdiction over radio stations in the country, to enforce his late mother’s Executive Order No. 255 that mandates the playing of Original Pilipino Music (OPM) songs in radio stations.
In 1987, then President Corazon C. Aquino issued EO No. 255 which requires radio stations with musical format programs nationwide to broadcast a minimum of four original Filipino musical compositions in every clock hour. The directive imposes a fine of P100 for each violation and suspension or cancellation of the radio station’s Certificate of Registration for repeated violations.
Despite a clamor from Filipino artists, EO 255, however, was not fully implemented during the succeeding administrations of former Presidents Fidel V. Ramos, Joseph “Erap” Estrada, and Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
Aquino granted the request of the Filipino artists led by his friend, multi-talented Ogie Alcasid, for the playing of OPM songs in radio stations.
“About your request for me to order the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to monitor (radio stations not following EO 255, I believe that is a small request. The head of the Presidential Management Staff (Julia Abad) is here. I am ordering the PMS to call the Secretary of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DoTC) (Secretary Jose De Jesus) so he could remind the NTC about the executive order (255) and enforce it as soon as possible," Aquino said.
He also pledged that his government would strengthen the campaign on the protection of intellectual property rights, particularly the fight against illegal downloading of music via the internet. He noted that OPM songs contribute 4.25 percent to the country’s Gross Domestic Product.
The President suggested to the group the creation of an organization that would promote the welfare of singers, artists and other personnel involved in the local music industry. Initially, Aquino said the funds coming from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office as well as the President’s Social Fund could be used to assist ageing and ailing Filipino artists.
The President thanked the music industry which, he said, has been at the forefront of promoting the country’s arts and culture and uplifting the hopes and dreams of every Filipino.
“For a country that is developing like us that has so many problems, the arts for man’s sake really deserve all the support we can have,” the President said.
The President promised help to the Filipino artists as he related that OPM has played a big part in his life especially being a bachelor.
He said he enjoys original songs by Alcasid, Velasquez, APO Hiking Society, Noel Cabangon, Jose Mari Chan, and Mitch Valdez since their compositions reflect his moods.
He said he and his family used to listen to “Saranggola ni Pepe” where they got inspiration to survive their difficulties when his father, the late Senator Benigno S. Aquino Jr. was detained during the rule of the late President Ferdinand Marcos Sr.
The song “Love at 30,000 feet” by Jose Mari Chan also gives him “full of positive energy” every time he listens to it, he said.
Though he loves Regine Velasquez’s song, “Hindi Ka Nag-iisa,” which reminds him of the challenges he is facing as President of the country, he has not dared sing it because he can’t emulate the Asia’s songbird’s high notes.
Aquino, in the same occasion, asked the couple Alcasid-Velasquez to be among his principal sponsors when he gets married. Alcasid and Velasquez who are set to wed on December 22 have become friends with the President after they helped him during the campaign for the May 10, 2010 polls.
Alcasid composed some of Aquino’s campaign jingles. He also wrote the theme song for the President’s inauguration last June 30 “Bagong Pilipinas” that was sung by Velasquez.
In return, the singer and composer in behalf of the industry, expressed support for the President’s sincere leadership to bring about change and social transformation through good governance, transparency, and moral ascendancy.
Alcasid said Cory was the “great icon of democracy” while the President has emerged as “the new symbol of change and social transformation.”
Aside from Alcasid, the President administered the oath of office of OPM chairman Mitch Valdez, OPM executive director Elmer Beltran Ingles, Gary Valenciano (VP for internal affairs), Cabangon (VP for external affairs), Christian Bautista (VP for special projects), Chan (treasurer), Dingdong Avanzado (secretary), and ex-officio trustees Jim Paredes and Celeste Legaspi-Gallardo. Velasquez and Jessa Zaragoza, later rendered the song “Kaya Natin,” which was composed in the aftermath of the massive flooding and devastation caused by Typhoon “Ondoy” last year.
Established in October 1986, the OPM is the leading and most respected organization of Filipino professional singers in the country
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