7 3APH

Good OPM and the essence of the Filipino society

Music is an aspect of our culture and a wave of the very embodiment of our nation which we all feel from
the lowest to the highest class of our society. To accept or reject, at least you could tell that OPM are a good
set of music to wobble some feet or to make hearts beat or to simply let a sentiment feel right inside us as we
listen to the tempos and crescendos that defines the Filipino society as close as it can get.
Take a look at the entire chorus of Tindahan ni Aling Nena by Eraserheads: tindahan ni aling nena parang
isang kuwentong pampelikula. Mura na at sari-sari pa ang itinitinda pero ang tanging nais ko ay di nabibili ng
pera. sounds very Filipino, right? Well the reason is that the song already gives the hints of familiarity of the
connections of Filipinos and sari sari stores which in a sense are staples of a Filipino community and the
closeness of patrons and events unfold involving it like this one: Pagbayad ko aking nakita isang dalagang
nakadungaw sa bintana- an indication of Filipino tradition that young ladies should be indoors rather than
being outgoing.
Also, if you heard of barkada by parokya ni edgar then youll know that Filipinos value the essence of barkada:
a closeness between friendship and brotherhood between people with same interests and ideals. Just as
presented in this part of lyrics: kung san mapadaan bastat saby-saby kaming nagtatawanan basta nanjan ang
bawat miyembro ng tropa ang kalokohan ay di mawawala hindi dapat pinagiisipan pa lahat tayo ay dapat
magsaya.
Then theyll be part in haranas or serenades which is quite a bold move for a man to sing as a way of showing
his love for a woman as depicted in this part of lyrics of Harana by parokya ni edgar: uso pa ba ang harana
marahil ikaw ay nagtataka sino ba 'tong mukhang gago nagkandarapa sa pagkanta at sisintonado sa kaba
may'rong dalang mga rosas suot na may ma-ong na kupas at naryan pa ang barkada naka porma naka barong
sa awiting daig pa ang minus one at sing-along.
Sometimes Filipinos would use songs show their cultural changes in tradition from the past such as this
segment of lyrics from saranggola ni pepe by celeste Legaspi: Matayog ang lipad ng saranggola ni Pepe
Matayog ang pangarap ng matandang bingi Umihip ang hangin, nawala sa paningin Sigaw ng kahapon,
nilamon na ng alon Malabo ang tunog ng kampanilya ni Padre Maingay ang taginting, rosaryo ng babae. This
segment indicates the religious rich tradition of Filipinos to attend masses and use of the rosary.
Lastly, a common but sadly bygone custom of Filipino me to confess to their love as stated in huling el
bimbo by eraserheads: Sana noon pa man ay sinabi na sa iyo, hoh Kahit hindi na uso ay ito lang ang alam ko.
It means that at some point some Filipino customs, traditions and values are dying and its sad to see such
moments but a memory. A lot of potential for songs to make these endure. So listen, who know what you
miss out.