This post is not entitled as such due to the amazing song from The Wanted. Rather, this post is about a new single entitled ‘Merry Christmas Na’ by a group named 1:43 (oh yes, the cheese overflows right from the word ‘go’).

Before I start sharing my thoughts about this single by the group, I have to share first my sentiments about the music scene here in the Philippines.

If you have noticed the content in this blog, very minimal content about Filipino music is present. The reason is I simply do not like listening to most of the stuff offered by local musicians. There is actually a term coined for music original content or material produced, written, or performed by Filipino producers, writers, or musicians in the Philippines – Original Pilipino Music, OPM for short.

I grew up hearing OPM during my childhood days. OPM back then was actually great. Bands like the Eraserheads, The Dawn, Parokya Ni Edgar, and many others were ruling the Philippine airwaves then and with good reason. The singles and albums that they offered back then were actually awesome – the production was splendid and the ‘feel’ that the tracks they released had allowed the listener to connect with the song.

Lately, the OPM scene has tumbled big time though. Record companies tried their ‘best’ to entice customers to buy records but still failed. As a result, record sales went on a massive downward spiral though some artists are deserving of good sales. Sadly, the material ruling the Philippine radio stations are the ‘pang-masa songs’ which are, for a lack of a better word, trash.

I do not totally despise or loathe the OPM industry though. A few acts like Urbandub, Bamboo, Eraserheads, Sandwich, Dicta License, and some others still get some attention in my playlists.

Sadly, the efforts done by record executives these days just make me cringe. OPM has been around the country even before I came into existence. OPM gave my parents a reason to buy a Sony Walkman before due to the greatness displayed by local bands then. Older generations experienced listening to acts who shaped the course of OPM as a whole.

I have said that past local acts were great. They were creative. They were pushing themselves to go over the limit just to create incredible material. Sadly, such could not be said for some present local acts.

And finally, we have reached the so-called ‘focal point’ of this post. I cannot explain initially how I felt after watching the video of ‘Merry Christmas Na’ by 1:43.

The song is just downright awful.

The lyrics are also shallow especially the line “Praying hard na may makatabi” and “Para kang parol sa aking bubong.”

As for the rapping, what the heck was that? It all looked to be desperate and contrived.

The video also shows some elements taken from KPop videos – put four guys who can be perceived as ‘charming’ or ‘handsome’ by the public and roll with the punches.

Is this what OPM has turned into? This is just pathetic. I still have not forgotten that XLR8 video that surfaced some time ago. That too was simply awful. Are acts trying to imitate Super Junior now? Come on. Leave KPop alone. I am not a huge fan of KPop but please, be original. Efforts trying to imitate the formula used by very successful KPop acts should go down the drain.

This is not OPM. The O in OPM gets lost if this continues. OPM does not mean Original Pilipino Music anymore. It has become Obscene Pilipino Music. Obscene because the material is pure trash. What will happen to the efforts done by great local acts in the past if this continues? They will simply be thrown away – years of efforts gone with one blink of an eye.

I am honestly annoyed and furious.

Admittedly, I did manage to laugh while watching the video but my goodness, watching it eventually frustrated me. This is not OPM. Record executives, please do not put yourselves under the illusion that songs like ‘Merry Christmas Na’ will actually jolt the OPM industry and bring it back to its glory days. It does not go that way.

Sadly, I have to say that this is a new all time low for OPM. If something does not change, I have to say I won’t bother anymore.

By the way, here is the video for Merry Christmas Na by 1:43:

What are your thoughts? Feel free to share them by posting a comment!