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Chito Miranda says now is the 'golden age of OPM'
Chito Miranda said he believes that the golden age of OPM is right now.
On Instagram, Sunday, the Parokya ni Edgar frontman shared his thoughts on the Philippine music scene through the years.
"Maraming nagsasabi na Golden Age ng OPM 'yung 90s," he said. "Kahit saan ka kasi magpunta, maririnig mo 'yung kanta ng mga banda."
His own band, along with Eraserheads, Rivermaya, Siakol, Color It Red, Teeth, Wolfgang, Yano, Razorback, Alamid, Youth, Grin Department, and more, defined the 90s as a lively era of Filipino music.
Despite this, however, Chito said that it's not all rainbows and unicorns back in the 90s.
"Pero nung time na 'yun, we were all underpaid, hati-hati kami sa isang hotel room, kadalasan walang decent backstage or dressing room, di maganda 'yung sound system," he said.
"Kahit sobrang sikat na ng mga bands, para pa rin kaming mga 2nd class citizens compared sa mga mainstream singers and artistas," he added.
While it was a happy time for them, Chito said things are much better now for Filipino bands.
According to him, artists and bands now do not need mainstream media and recording companies to make it big in the industry.
"Pwede na silang mag-sulat lang basta ng kung anong trip nila, without considering kung 'patok ba sa masa' or kung 'radio friendly' ba 'yung kanta," he said. "Pwede sila mag-record at mag-release kung kelan nila gusto."
Chito said music fans can now hear the bands' artistic intentions "without compromise."
"Kumbaga sa painting, we get to see their most honest artwork...tapos nakakatuwa kasi sobrang patok sa mga Pinoy," he said. "Tapos, ang masaya dun, bands and artists now get paid, and are treated, like celebrities."
"Mula sa mga oldies namin tulad ng PNE and KMKZ, hanggang sa mga younger artists like Ben&Ben, DecAve, Zack Tabudlo, Flow G, SB19, etc... all are now treated how artists should be treated," he added.
Chito said music festivals now attract fans by the droves and get backed up by sponsors. Artists now enjoy better sound systems, business class tickets, and beautiful, which he said they did not have back in the 90s.
"1st hand ko nakita at na-compare 'yung value na binibigay nila sa bands noon at ngayon... and sobrang saya ko na ganito na nila i-treat 'yung mga bands ngayon," he said. "Mabuhay ang OPM."
—MGP, GMA Integrated News
