Love for Filipino music should be strengthened–Noel Cabangon

Photo: Facebook Page of Noel Cabangon

Unique and fresh sound.

These were somewhat lacking in original Filipino music, according to singer-songwriter Noel Cabangon.

In an interview with Yahoo! Philippines, he said: “I cannot stop anyone from listening to foreign music. Maybe if we’re really conscious about strengthening our appreciation of our own music and, at the same time, adapting to the changing times, hindi siguro ganito.” (maybe it’s not like this)

Cabangon, who is with the board of directors of the Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mang-aawit (POM) said that the Korean Pop Music is offering something that Filipino music does not have.

“We’re like a copy of hip hop and R&B artists from the West without even adding Filipino flavor,” he said.

He added, “K-Pop is also an engineered Western form of music, but to them, it’s integrating that foreign music to their own culture by using their own language. It’s a huge program supported by the government, that’s why it’s successful.”

A challenge to Pinoy music

While he is not discounting the fact that ‘Pinoy’ music is still strong, he said that it is crucial that Filipino listeners, especially the young ones are encouraged to listen to Filipino music.

“The challenge is to strengthen the love for Filipino music,” he said.

Through a fun run, Cabangon and his group OPM reminded radio stations to comply with Executive Order 255 requiring stations to air 4 original Filipino compositions per hour.

Among the Filipino artists that he admires include singer-songwriter Ely Buendia, songwriter Ebe Dancel and Philpop 2013 finalist Lara Maigue and indie singer Reese Lansangan.