Presented by Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mang-aawit (OPM) and National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the annual music festival aims to promote the awareness and appreciation of all forms of Filipino music through a variety of on-ground and online platforms starting July 20 onwards, happening in different music venues nationwide from Metro Manila to Davao City.
A commitment to promote and develop Filipino music
“Linggo Ng Musikang Pilipino has always shown consistency in terms of championing top-notch Filipino music,” Ogie Alcasid, OPM President said. “It’s inspiring to see the project evolve into a sustainable platform that helps local musicians to showcase their work to a diverse but receptive audience.”
The week-long celebration of Filipino music is part of the local government’s commitment to promote and develop the local music industry. This is in accordance with Proclamation No. 933, which declared the last week of July every year as Linggo ng Musikang Pilipino.
“We also have partners from both the government and private sector who support our vision for LMP,” Alcasid shares. “We hope to continue where we started off, and hopefully build a viable music ecosystem that we can share with the rest of the world.”
Themed performances and curated shows
Expect another exciting milestone in Filipino music as LMP puts a spotlight on high-profile performances ranging from the reunion concert of ‘90s alternative rock icons Rizal Underground on July 2 at 70’s Bistro to the highly anticipated restaging of Rak of Aegis Season 7 on July 27, 8pm and July 28, 3pm at PETA Theater.
The annual observance also dares to step up its curation with themed showcases featuring ‘90s music legends (Barbie Almalbis, Wency Cornejo, Dong Abay, and Cooky Chua), bar shows all over the Metro and provinces, stripped-down sessions on several venues and pocket stages, and open mics in various gig hubs.
OPM is also collaborating with LRT for “Railway Jams”—a series of live sessions to entertain commuters who are waiting for their train rides. Numerous busking activities have already taken place this month and will continue for more months as part of the institutions’ collaborative efforts in giving local musicians a space to showcase their musical gifts.
Mall-goers are in for a treat as Powerplant Mall and Lucky Chinatown Mall will be staging music shows to serenade guests with soothing music while they dine or shop. Some of the performers include Bea Lorenzo, Cookie Chua, The Manila String Machine and more.
A multi-platform celebration
The multi-platform celebration will also host the upcoming single, album, and music video launches of select OPM members on several intimate venues in Metro Manila, including the highly anticipated EP release of PhilPop Grand Winner Chud Festejo to name a few.
To intensify the campaign, several local music acts will be guesting on TV, radio and online music platforms to perform their originals and covers for the entire month of July. Participating multimedia shows include ABS-CBN’s ASAP Natin ‘To, DZMM’s Todo Todo Walang Preno, Home Radio 97.9, WISH FM 107.5, Inq Pop, Inq Publications: Showbiz Live, and EDGE TV.
With all these activities prepared in partnership with Light Rail Manila Corporation, Ikot MNL, Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA), Power Plant Mall, PhilPop, and other digital, bars and other production partners, you will surely have fun with this year’s Linggo ng Musikang Pilipino!
“The celebration is an assertion to inject in the consciousness of the Filipinos that we have our own treasure trove, local and regional, written in national and local languages, of songs that reflect our culture,” Noel Cabangon, OPM Board Member points out. “And that we Filipinos should have the consciousness to support it. We are on our 5th year since the Presidential Proclamation 933 was signed in 2014. It is very young. And it is a struggle. But it is very important that we have this mandate from the government. At least now we’re gaining grounds. Hopefully we’ll get more support in the years to come.”
Check out the scheduled performances below:
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