My Top 10 OPM Songs (2017)

If you're not familiar with OPM, OPM stands for "Original Philippine Music" or "Organisasyon ng mga Pilipinong Manunugtog at Mangangawit". It's a music genre that's basically Philippine songs and ballads; and recently found out from friends that any OPM song composed by a Filipino singer or songwriter can be in English or any other languages. It took a while for me to become a fan of OPM. My papa and mama are fans and they usually listen to famous Filipino singers like Christian Bautista, Gary Valenciano, Erik Santos, Jose Mari Chan, Lea Salonga, Jed Madela, and Sarah Geronimo. I've been living in Philippines for five years now and the more I listen to OPM, the more I learn the Filipino/Tagalog language. I'm probably the slowest learner when it comes to languages and I feel bad 'cause I'm a Filipino. At least now, I'm decent with it than I was five years ago. My friends would give me suggestions of artists and bands and I love exploring and discovering new artists and the more I explore, the more I fall in love with OPM. So, here are my top 10 OPM songs of 2017:

*Note: If my explanation of a song is wrong, I'm sorry. But they are based on what I think the song is about. And please, if you have your own interpretation, comment below. Let's begin. 

#10 Small Talk by One Click Straight 

One Click Straight is an OPM indie pop band that just started. Recently released their song, "Small Talk" and I instantly got hooked of this song's intro. It's pop rock, light music. The song is basically about when you meet a person and you immediately want to know this person because you like him or her, but turns out the farthest of that relationship is just small talk.

“I just know your face. Will you ever feel the same?
I thought I got you, but all I got was small talk.”

#9 Tides by The Ransom Collective

If you're a fan of indie folk bands, you'll love The Ransom Collective. This Philippine-based band released their debut album just this year and I would repeat one of their tracks, "Tides" a lot. It's a song that tells you that no matter how many times you've tried, but failed, keep going. Never give up.

"They see me running through their dreams at night. 

Trying to keep myself above the tide and if I fail, 

at least I know I tried my best to keep an open mind."

 #8 Malayo Na Tayo by Silent Sanctuary

Silent Sanctuary is one of my favorite OPM bands. They never fail to disappoint when they release new songs. "Malayo Na Tayo" is a song when you're missing someone you were once close to and now that you guys don't talk anymore, it's hard to move on. It makes me a little emotional when the violin starts playing.

“Malayo na tayo. Kumukupas na ang mundo.

Sumpaan pala'y nagbabago. Dahil nga, malayo na.”

#7 Sundo by Moira Dela Torre
Moira Dela Torre is a Filipino female singer that can make a person's heart melt when she sings. Her voice is so soothing. "Sundo" was originally sung by Imago, an OPM alternative rock band. Moira made her rendition of it for a television show called,"The Good Son". This song is about loving someone wherever they are,wherever they go, their heart will follow.

“Sinusundo kita, sinusundo.
 Asahan mo mula ngayon. Pag-ibig ko'y sayo.”

 #6 Umaaraw, Umuulan by Zia Quizon
"Umaaraw, Umuulan" was originally written and performed by one of Filipinos' favorite OPM bands, Rivermaya. Zia Quizon, a female Filipino singer covered this song for a film called, "Luck At First Sight" and instantly fell in love with her rendition. She reminds me of the singer, Norah Jones. It's a song that you can listen to at a coffee shop. It's about whether you have a bad or good day, live your life as if luck is on your side.

“Wag mong pigilan ang pagbuhos ng ulan. May panahon
para maging hari. May panahon para madapa.
Dahil ang buhay natin ay sadyang ganyan.
Umaaraw, umuulan.”

#5 Sigurado by Up Dharma Down (UDD)
Up Dharma Down (UDD) is one of my favorite OPM bands. They're one of the reasons why I got into OPM. In the beginning of 2017, they released their single, "Sigurado" and became an instant fan of this song 'cause it's kind of different what they usually release which is slow and jazzy. This one just feels so groovy and more upbeat. It's about how you're scared of being in love, but willing to take that chance.

“Nalilito, naliligaw, maging ako, maging ikaw.
Huwag mo nang pigilan ang sinisigaw ng puso mo.
'Di ka bibitiwan kahit ano pa ang sabihin mo.”

#4 Hey Barbara by IV of Spades
This band just came out of nowhere and dominated the OPM indie scene during 2017. IV of Spades immediately has this 70s' vibe. Their song, "Hey Barbara" has a funky vibe from the beginning of the song. And it's so different from the other OPM songs I listen to. It's just a fun song to bob your head and sing along to.

“I don't care what they say. I'm just trying
to be one of the boys. So you can't change your mind.
You can never stand alone in the dark, oh, baby.
Dance now! Dance now, baby!”

# 3 Kathang Isip by Ben&Ben
Started liking Ben&Ben just this year because of their song, "Kathang Isip". If you want to start listening to OPM, Ben&Ben is a good choice 'cause their songs make you feel and think about a lot of things. This song is emotional and has that soft rock, folk vibe. I think the song is about your imagination/expectation versus reality. You expect that you'll get what you want like in your imagination, but reality slaps you and say it doesn't work that way.

“Pasensya ka na sa mga kathang isip kong ito.
 Wari'y dala lang ng pagmamahal sa iyo. Ako'y gigising na sa
panaginip kong ito. At sa wakas ay kusang lalayo sa iyo.”

#2 Parallel Universe by Clara Benin
Clara Benin is a singer/songwriter that has an amazing, calming voice. She recently released her single, "Parallel Universe" which has an acoustic sound to it. It's a song that hits the soft spot of my heart. It's about when you find that right person, but it's like the universe saying it's the not the right time to meet or not meant to be. Maybe in another universe, it would be different.

“In a parallel universe where timing is kind to us,
maybe we would be alright. I put myself to blame.
I let you get away, but I feel equally bad.”

 #1 Huling Gabi by Moira Dela Torre (ft. Quest)
And my number one pick of OPM of 2017 is, "Huling Gabi". Another one of my favorites by Moira featuring Quest, a male filipino singer. He also written this song. It was written for the Filipino film,"Last Night". And just the feel of this song warms my heart. The lyrics made me emotional and I'm not even in love. A song about being with someone you're absolutely in love with and you spend it with that person like it's the end of the world, like it's their last day and that you will never let go. I want that kind of love.

“Hawakan ang aking kamay. Higpitan ang kapit. 
Pwede ka pang lumapit? Kalimutan natin bukas na sasapit. 
Dito na lang ako. Dito na lang tayo. Walang manggugulo 
na parang atin ang mundo.”

And those are my top 10 OPM songs of 2017. If your favorite OPM song is one of the top 10, comment below. Also tell me what was your favorite OPM song of 2017 and why? Thanks for reading.