“Twitter is a necessity. It is a great tool for reaching out to fans and non-fans, to co-artists. Sometime kami ni misis, tweet na lang kapag hindi makapag-text,” he explains after the press conference of OPM@Pagcor 2, the nationwide search for promising Filipino singers sponsored by the Philippine Amusement Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) and the Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mang-aawit (OPM).
The OPM president has found a way to deal with bashers: treat them well.
“Instead of fighting back or saying something harsh, let’s encourage the bashers to be as positive as we are,” Ogie suggests. “One day, magiging fan mo pa yan. Try to win them over at magiging kaibigan mo pa yan. Suddenly, they’ll be watching your concerts or your TV show. Suddenly, they have nothing else to say about you because you’re a positive person.”
This is what Ogie also told his wife, who understandably feels bad over the tirade on her four-month-old baby. He feels for Regine, saying that any mother will always protect her baby.
Changing attitudes
But he is also convincing her to take this chance to change people’s negative attitude.
“I tell her, 'Hon, try to win them over. Try to change their attitude about people. Kung lahat ng mga Pilipino ganon, imbes na mag-alipusta o manlait, pumuri na lang tayo, hindi ba mas positive yon?'” says Ogie.
Constructive criticism, he adds, is better than just putting people down for the sake of doing it.
“Halimbawa,” he relates, “lumabas ka sa TV. Meron kang hindi nasabi o ginawang hindi maganda. I tweet mo na 'You know, maybe you should change that song, or ayusin mo ng konti.' Ok na yon.”
He has the same sunny attitude when it comes to foreign artists who have been lording it over the music scene lately.
“We have to live with that challenge. Kailangan sumabay ang OPM. Hindi yong paalisin nyo sila,”Ogie goes on.
Part of facing that challenge is developing local singers who will promote OPM in venues big and small.
Ogie is supporting “OPM@PAGCOR2” the way he did last year, when the search was launched, also at PAGCORCasino in Paranaque.
Ultimate OPM performer
“We’re looking for the ultimate OPM performer with the personality and charisma to match,” he adds.
PAGCOR Assistant VP for Entertainment Bong Quintana reveals that the winner of the search will not only win cash prizes (P300,000 for the grand winner; P200,000 for the second placer, P100,000 for the third prize winner and P20,000 each as consolation prize).
“They will have the chance to undergo proper music training to gain valuable singing techniques from the country’s finest OPM icons,” he reveals.
Quintana adds that PAGCOR will allow the contestants to sing covers or any type of song, but they must give importance to OPM.
“They can also perform in places other than Casino Filipino,” he relates.
First grand winner Marie Joyce Tanana from Angeles City shares that her training and exposure has helped her get other gigs.
“Maraming nag-imbita sa akin (na mag-perform),” she says.
The dance workshops and performance training, Tanana adds, helped improve hers and her fellow winners’ talents.
Those who want to audition for “OPM@PAGCOR 2” may check out www.pagcor.ph or www.opm.org.ph. They may call OPM at 576-5069 or 945-7003 or PAGCOR Entertainment Department at 852-7760 or 852-7752.
By Chuck Smith | Yahoo! Southeast Asia Newsroom
0 comments:
Post a Comment