Posts
What does it mean to pave the way? Is that quantifiable to the massive success on the first try? Can only those who instantly rose to stardom claim such achievement?
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, paving the way means making it easier for something to happen or for someone to do something. It is the same as planting the seeds, laying the foundation, and creating the blueprint. The Philippines has always been late in almost everything. From the newest techniques and equipment in road development and construction jobs to the newest methods in medicine, even in fashion and education, we are always late.
The history of Philippine music is that of inspiration from many other countries. What we call OPM now was the result of other countries' influence on us. Sadly, younger generations have forgotten about the truth. If we must insist on making OPM anything but a collection of music inspired by foreign sounds, why don't we identify what is actually a true Filipino sound? What is originally ours are the tribal chants and instrumentals from our indigenous people. It's the sound of the woods and metals mixed together to create a hymn. That is the true Filipino music.
Every single song that we hear today are like children born from the merging of the sounds from different countries and nationalities. It may have started during the Chinese-Filipino trade and continued on through the Spanish colonization, but we began to forget the lullabies that calmed us to sleep, the beats that empowered us in battles, and gave us strength during the farming seasons.There is nothing wrong in evolving and embracing new things for it helps us learn and be better.
What's wrong is when we forget how it all began. Just like now, PPOP also known as Pinoy Pop is starting to be recognized outside the country. Foreigners are now asking questions about it, enthralled by its sound and the talent of our countrymen. A genuinely great opportunity for every Filipino pop artist for the interest is already there. But, how did it all start? The first modernized music the Philippines ever created were folk songs, kundiman, and the like. As the world around us evolved, we followed behind it. Adapting the classics, ballads, and fast-forward, Pop music or Popular music.
Original Pinoy Music is now known as those songs composed and created by Filipino music makers, often love songs and novelties. Over time, we have adapted many different genres, and when KPOP emerged on the global scene, many were taken by storm. For the longest time, a lot of us became focused and mesmerized by the talent and beauty of Korean talents. MNL48 who debuted in 2018 was considered to be the first PPOP girl group, though there were other girl and boy groups before them. Only when they started, the term had not been used yet. If it has, it was not recognized. The same year, another PPOP group debuted, managed under a Korean entertainment company based in the Philippines. The group's name was SB19.
Photo from Gee on Twitter (disclaimer: list only includes group that debuted until 2021)
Due to them being the first one to fully introduce themselves as a PPOP group, they also got the attention of haters and trolls. They were called KPOP wannabes, which was only natural as the minds of the people were focused on KPOP. They were hated for their looks, wished to fail, and insulted left and right. There was no support from the government, no huge company to back them up, and not enough resources for fashion and glam. It was evident in the way they dressed and the number of times they could be seen wearing the same outfits at different events. In some of their interviews, SB19 admitted that they would borrow clothes from each other, especially from their leader Pablo, and go to Divisoria to purchase their wardrobe.
When their debut song Tilaluha didn't get the attention they hoped for, they thought about quitting. In a country like the Philippines, a steady income is required to survive, especially for those who have a family that relies on them. Releasing their second single, Go Up was their last hope, and if nothing happened, they already agreed to call it. If not for the random post of a Twitter user named Lyra, SB19 wouldn't have made it. She introduced them to the people, and from then on, the quintet did everything they could to establish a sub-genre that could help elevate Pinoy talent into the world.
Having many first recognitions for a PPOP group, SB19 opened the doors to many talented individuals who dreamed of becoming an idol. Their authentic talent and dedication set the standard of how a Pinoy idol group should be. Today, PPOP is now widely known in and out of the country. It is not yet on the same level as KPOP, but it is slowly emerging. Foreigners are now interested in our idol groups, which in turn is helping all other Filipino artists. What SB19 did, all their sacrifices, and all the recognition they've achieved, especially outside the country put Filipino music in the eyesight of more international fans.
They are living and breathing proof that Filipino talent does not only revolve around covering foreign acts or belting high notes. We are so much more, and we deserve equal recognition. SB19 as group and as individual artists are risk-takers. They write, produce, and compose their own songs to deliver the stories and messages they have in their hearts to the people as genuinely as possible. These five individuals don't follow the norm or what's trending. With their chief songwriter, Pablo, at the helm of almost every song they released, they could easily make something that the people would immediately accept, but no. They are not called SoundBreak19 for nothing.
SB19's ultimate goal, aside from bringing PPOP and OPM to the world, is to break norms, especially about the quality of Filipino music. They openly and graciously took every blow from trolls, haters, naysayers, and close-minded people to establish PPOP as we know it. There was no blueprint for them to follow, and no guidelines to lead them in the right direction. It was just them, their talents, dedication, and dreams. Since their Go Up dance practice video became viral, SB19 carried PPOP on their back allowing more groups to emerge. Dubbed as the Live Vocal Monsters, SB19 set the bar so high and changed the course of live performances.
No comments:
Post a Comment