Allyzza Kay Trinidad

Ogie Alcasid on ASAP's 30th anniversary and the future of OPM

Article (news)

Liezel Dela Cruz

Ogie Alcasid officially became part of the &quot;<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/asap" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">ASAP</a>&quot; family in 2017, and for the past eight years, he has felt nothing but love from his Kapamilyas.Sundays are extra special for him as he gets to perform and share the “ASAP” stage with some of his contemporaries and closest friends, many of whom have been with him since the early days of his career. At the same time, he finds joy in working with the new generation of artists he admires. It&#x27;s nostalgic and refreshing all at once.&quot;It&#x27;s a family that loves each other. It&#x27;s a family that loves to bring out the best in each other,&quot; Ogie shares, emphasizing how the &quot;ASAP&quot; family is built on unity rather than competition. “Walang lamangan,” he adds, because at the end of the day, everyone shares the same goal—to put on an amazing show.Looking back at his first-ever &quot;ASAP&quot; performance, not many may remember, but Ogie’s connection with the show actually goes way back to its early years at Delta Theater, when he would guest-perform once in a while, making him a witness to its journey and success over the years.For him, one of the clearest signs of &quot;ASAP’s&quot; success is its longevity, as it celebrates its 30th anniversary on air. “Ang daming shows that have come and gone, shows that, I suppose, didn’t stand the test of time. It doesn’t mean they’re bad shows, gano’n lang talaga,” Ogie explained, and then expressed deep appreciation for everyone who keeps &quot;ASAP&quot; running, from the artists and crew to the loyal fans who have been there through the years.He likens &quot;ASAP&quot; to a bicycle that is constantly moving forward, its wheels continuously turning because of the passion and dedication of the people behind it. And as the show reaches this milestone, he’s grateful to be part of a legacy that continues to inspire and entertain generations of music lovers.Ogie recognizes that being one of the &#x27;ASAP veterans&#x27; is both a blessing and a challenge. It’s also a huge responsibility—a responsibility to represent the show, as Martin Nievera also said, because every one of them is ASAP. It’s a responsibility that isn’t always easy to carry, as it comes with the challenge of consistently delivering top-tier performances. Yet, for Ogie, true artistry is about the heart, and not perfection. Mistakes may happen on stage, but as long as they give their all, it’s still a good show, one that feels fulfilling and fuels their passion even more.Beyond his role in &quot;ASAP,&quot; Ogie also takes pride in his duties  as the president of the Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mang-Aawit (the organization for Filipino singers). He knows that nurturing the next generation of artists is part of his responsibility, and he’s proud to see how much talent and potential the youth of OPM have.Their organization regularly holds workshops for up-and-coming singer-songwriters, and looking at the local music scene now, it’s rewarding to see artists like Moira Dela Torre, TJ Monterde, Adie, Arthur Nery, SB19, and many others making waves. It’s proof that the future of OPM is bright. &quot;It makes you feel proud. It makes you feel like you&#x27;ve done your part as a mentor. I&#x27;ve been with the organization for almost 15 years now, and part of our objective when we started was to promote OPM,&quot; said Ogie, who best describes the OPM scene as yumayabong (flourishing). In his signature humor, he also playfully describes it as bongga and pasabog. He’s confident that OPM’s momentum will only continue, because what sets Filipino musicians apart is their ability to create a deep, emotional connection with listeners. He says there’s no perfect formula for making a hit song, but the magic always comes from the heart.When asked which new artists he’d love to collaborate with, Ogie mentioned several names, including Maki, BINI, and many others. He’s excited to work with even more rising stars. His heart is swelling with pride knowing that OPM is in such capable hands. He couldn’t help but reflect on how, if the great pillars of OPM—like APO Hiking Society’s Danny Javier—were still here, they would surely be beaming with pride, or perhaps they’re smiling from above, watching the industry not just bloom, but truly flourish.And as OPM continues to evolve, the &quot;<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/asap" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">ASAP</a>&quot; stage will always remain a home for Filipino music.

Ogie Alcasid reflects on "ASAP's" milestone and the ever-evolving magic of Filipino music!

Ogie Alcasid reflects on "ASAP's" milestone and the ever-evolving magic of Filipino music!