Chito Miranda and Raymund Marasigan on Why the Golden Age of OPM Wasn't the '90s. It's Now
What do Chito Miranda and Raymund Marasigan have in common? (Apart form their shared rock legend status and mutual appreciation for Kpop and BTS.)
It’s their steadfast belief that the golden age of OPM wasn’t the 90s. The golden age is now.
“Sobrang fan ako ng mga bagong musicians na ngayon. I’m blown away palagi. Makinig ka lang ng 88.3FM pag Linggo, tapos panay Pinoy na bago. Ay, talagang napapa-search talaga ako sa galing,” said Miranda of Parokya ni Edgar in the first episode of Esquire Philippines’ Lonely Hearts podcast, hosted by Editor-at-Large Sarge Lacuesta.
“It's so exciting talaga na these kids na indie are earning as much as Parokya na totally unheard of dati. Dun ako bilib na bilib talaga ngayon, na it's more vibrant now, and lagi ko sinasabi talaga, iba na yung OPM ngayon, talagang iba na yung brilliance talaga nila.”
Raymund of Eraserheads, Sandwich, and countless other OPM bands, shares Chito’s optimism and awe at the caliber of young Filipino musicians.
“I think it's the golden age of Philippine music. It’s getting bigger, and it's getting wider. In fact, even, kahit pandemic, there are a few bands as we speak na are playing international shows,” said Marasigan to Esquire Philippines.
He name dropped a few popular standout acts on the podcast: IV of Spades—and of course, Ben&Ben.
“I think Ben&Ben is in a bubble, and they're producing shows. Ang galing nun, because they don't have kids yet, puede silang magsama-sama sa isang bahay. Pag tumawag yung Ben and Ben, kailangan niyo ng tambourine? Nandiyan ako,” exclaimed the E-heads vet.
“Golden age talaga ngayon, promise. The people who think golden age yung ‘90s, I think feeling lang nila kasi yun yung exposed sila dati. Yun yung top of the charts dati, mga bands na Rivermaya, E-heads, Parokya, Color It Red, ganyan," added Chito.
"[Pero] napaka-diverse na yung indie, wala nang indie, everybody's indie, tapos na, dun na siya sa market. Tama ka [Raymund], golden age ngayon talaga yung napaka-galing lahat ng artists, everybody doing their own shit, everybody's brilliant. Yun yung difference. Kasi ngayon, for you to stand out, you really have to be brilliant and spectacular talaga. Because everybody can now come out with an album. Gawa akong album ngayon, next week may album ka na. Yun yung term: Golden age, tama, perfect.”
That’s not to take away from the brilliance of Chito and Raymund’s time, but a recognition that as music becomes more accessible, listeners are becoming more exposed to the previously untapped potential of Filipino musicians.
Listen to rock legends Raymund and Chito delve into musicality, Kpop, fatherhood, and just being “a guy in a band” in the first episode of Lonely Hearts on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Anchor, and wherever you get your podcasts.
