Online store for Filipino musicians, music lovers

President Benigno S. Aquino III led Wednesday the formal launching of the OPM2Go website, an online music store dedicated to Filipino artists, musicians and music lovers that hopes to address the proliferation of music piracy.

The website OPM2Go.com aims to help the Filipino music industry by providing a distribution avenue for artists, bands, and musicians so that they may be able to reach a broader audience. It was publicly unveiled during its launch at Eastwood City walk in Quezon City.

During his speech, Aquino said that the OPM2Go.com will help stop the proliferation of pirated Filipino music in the country as well as protect intellectual property rights musicians and Filipino artists.

“Magandang hakbang din po ito upang malabanan natin ang pamimirata sa musika, kasabay ng pagpo-protekta sa karapatang-ari o intellectual property rights ng mga manunulat at mang-aawit sa kanilang akda. Mulat po kasi tayo sa bawat ilegal na pag-download ng musika, o pagbili ng album na pinirata, ang pangunahing tinatamaan ay ang mga OPM artists [This is a good step in our fight against music piracy, together with protecting intellectual property rights of composers and singers. We are aware of illegal music downloads, or purchasing of pirated albums; OPM artists are primarily affected by this],” the President said.

“Wala silang kinikita. Ang masakit pa po rito, alam din nating kasabay ng talento, puspusang dedikasyon ang kanilang ibinubuhos upang maibahagi sa atin ang kanilang mga awitin. Kaya naman, nararapat lang na masuklian natin ang kanilang pagsusumikap, ‘di po ba? [They do not earn anything. What is painful here is that, coupled with their talent, they render persistent dedication to provide us with their music. That is why we need to repay them for their hard work, right?],” he added.

Aquino noted that the music piracy does not only affect the artists and musicians but also the music industry in general.

“Ang totoo po, sa pamimirata, hindi lamang ang mga manlilikha ang nagdurusa, kasama po rito ang buong industriya at kultura ng musika. Kapag hindi natin binigyan ng sapat na insentibo ang mga musikero, baka ipagpalit nila ang gitara at panulat para sa mga trabahong sisigurong may maihahain sila sa kanilang mga hapag [In reality, the entire music industry and culture suffer from piracy, not just composers. If we do not provide sufficient incentives to musicians, they might choose to trade their guitars and writings to a job that could better secure food on their table],” he said.

“Maaaring kumitid, kung hindi man magsara, ang mga bintanang pinanggagalingan ng kanilang mga obra. Ang resulta, mababawasan ang mapapakinggan ng mga tao; mababawasan ang mga malilikhang mga produkto; mababawasan nang malaki ang buting idinudulot ng musika [The windows that serve as source of their masterpiece may become small, or close down. The result, music that people listen to will diminish; creative products will decrease; contributions to music will lessen],” the President stressed.

The OPM2Go website also aims to become the online repository for all Filipino music. Through the newly unveiled website, Filipino artists and musicians will be able to economically and rapidly release their material.

“Sa pagbubukas ng online music store na ito, may bago nang tahanan ang musikang Pilipino. May bago nang lugar ang mga musikero kung saan maipaparinig nila ang kanilang mga obra [With the opening of this online music store, there is a new home for Filipino music. There is a new place where musicians could share their creations],” the President noted.

“Bubukas ang pinto upang mas madaling maihandog ang musikang Pilipino sa masang Pilipino, at sa iba pang tumatangkilik nito sa buong mundo. Sa pamamagitan din ng proyektong ito, hindi lamang mas nagiging abot-kaya ang pakikinig sa awiting Pinoy, nagagantimpalaan din natin ang mga lumikha nito [The door will open to easily provide Filipino music to the Filipino masses, and to others who support it around the world. Through this project, not only do we provide affordable Filipino music, we also reward its creators],” he added.

Aquino expressed confidence that the OPM2Go website will be a success. He thanked the people behind the project, including PLDT’s CEO and chair Manny V. Pangilinan.

The President also lauded singer-songwriter Herminio “Ogie” Alcasid Jr., the chairman of OPM2GO Inc. and president of the Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mang-aawit for this project.

“Kinakatawan ni Ogie ang klase ng artistang kinakailangan ng panahon ngayon—gumagawa siya ng paraan, hindi lamang upang lumikha ng obra, kundi upang makatulong din sa kanyang kapwa [Ogie embodies the kind of artist that we need today—he creates ways, not only to produce creations, but to also help others],” he said.

“Tangan ang kanyang talento, pinapaginhawa niya ang buhay ng kapwa niya artista, ng kapwa niya musikero, at ng kapwa niya Pilipino. Isang patunay po ang proyektong ito sa patuloy niyang pakikiisa sa pagbagtas natin sa tuwid na landas [Using his talent, he improves the lives of his fellow artists, fellow musicians and fellow Filipinos. This project is a testament to his continued support towards the righteous path],” the President explained.

Alcasid said the newly unveiled website was created not only for artists and musicians but also for the people who enjoy listening to music.

The project, Alcasid said, “will go a long way toward bringing the music to the digital age, and in the long run [it’s] something that will help Filipino music.” [I](Malacañang Palace)[/I]