opm

OPM (Original Pilipino Music) is the catch-all term for popular music created by Filipino artists, spanning from the 1970s to today. While it literally means any music originally from the Philippines, OPM has evolved into a distinct cultural brand that blends Western pop sensibilities with Tagalog and English lyrics, local storytelling traditions, and a uniquely Filipino emotional resonance called "hugot" – music that tugs at the heart through deeply personal, often bittersweet narratives about love, longing, and everyday struggles. What makes OPM more than just "Filipino pop" or "Filipino rock" is its cross-genre fluidity and nationalist spirit: a Parokya ni Edgar novelty-rock anthem, an Eraserheads alternative ballad, a Regine Velasquez power-pop vocal showcase, and a Bamboo post-grunge belter all wear the OPM badge with pride, unified by language, local references, and a shared cultural identity rather than a single sound.

From the pioneering guitar-driven anthems of Rivermaya and the witty, irreverent punk-pop of Kamikazee to the soulful R&B of Nina and the indie experimentation of Up Dharma Down and Ang Bandang Shirley, OPM thrives on diversity. It's the soundtrack of Filipino life – played at family gatherings, karaoke bars, jeepney rides, and coming-of-age moments – where earnestness trumps irony and melodies are crafted to be sung along to, loudly and with feeling.

Listen to OPM to experience pop music through a Southeast Asian lens: infectious, heartfelt, and unapologetically sentimental, where every genre gets a Filipino twist and every lyric feels like a friend confiding in you over a shared meal.