Don’t worry, be happy

OPM PRESIDENT Ogie Alcasid makes a point. Behind him are chair Mitch Valdes and VP for external affairs Noel Cabangon.

Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mang-aawit (OPM) members, which now include musicians, have reason to be happy these days. At a recent general assembly in Annabel’s Restaurant in Quezon City, OPM officers announced that members are now entitled to health insurance.

A representative of the insurance company explained the benefits that a member could claim, should he require medical attention. The benefits also include death and burial assistance.

The discussion was something new to many of the attendees. Many of them have practiced their profession for years armed only with a prayer that they don’t get sick, and especially not with a major illness.

Though the cash benefits in the insurance package are minimal, it is definitely a significant start.

The package is apart from the existing OPM equity benefit given to members and their immediate family members who fall ill or meet an accident.

NEW OPM members Cathy Go (left), her manager Chen Sarte, and Bayang Barrios

The equity benefit gets its funds from equity clearance fees that OPM collects from promoters of concerts featuring foreign artists.

During the assembly, a musician suggested that OPM raise the equity clearance fees. The current fees—stipulated in a memorandum of agreement between OPM, the Asosasyon ng Musikong Pilipino (AMP) and the Bureau of Immigration—are P5,000 per singer per show; a maximum of P30,000 per singer if the show runs for three months; and double the rates from December to February.

OPM officers had no immediate reply to this, though Mitch Valdes, chair, pointed out that the scope of equity clearance fees should be broadened since entertainment events also include circus, magic and dolphin shows.

A VERY attentive Randy Santiago

The assembly also discussed the launch of opm2go, an online music store that is a potential source of income for performers and composers.

During the open forum, OPM president Ogie Alcasid noted that, aside from opm2go (of which he is co-owner), there are other Internet music shops (mymusicstore.com.ph) and an online radio station (radiorepublic.ph) that now promote Pinoy music.

“Let’s get involved in all of them,” Alcasid said. He expressed disappointment about the fact that many local FM stations have adopted a talk radio format that favors jokes and show biz chismis over supporting Pinoy songs.

Among the singers and musicians at the assembly were Jay-R, Kris Lawrence, Randy Santiago, Cathy Go, Bayang Barrios, OPM vice president for external affairs Noel Cabangon and executive director Elmar Ingles.

OPM currently has 253 members. More than 50 applied as new members during the gathering.