The Language of Memory

When words seem inadequate, it only takes a tune to tell the story better. With music being an undeniable cornerstone in Filipino Culture, there’s a song for almost every life situation. The Filipino word hugot is unparalleled in the English language because nothing truly hits the same as Original Pilipino Music. Cruise through these all-time OPM favorites with each song painting core memories on the Filipino canvas of culture.

Panalangin - APO Hiking Society

APO Hiking Society’s classics have been immortalized throughout the ages. Imagine being back as a child on a Sunday morning on your family dining table with a hot pandesal and the stereo playing this song across the living room. This melody lives on today as associated with people, moments, and places as prayers desired for eternity.

Kumpas - Moira Dela Torre

This song particularly touches the soul of anyone who’s ever been in a “hopeless romantic stage.” As if lost at sea as the turbulent and towering waves come crashing down, hope is restored as your compass comes to life and brings you out of troubled waters—but imagine that compass being a person. Thus this song is an ode to anyone who is your lifeline, whether they are already in your life or not.

Unang Sayaw - NOBITA

OPM songs are notorious for their contagious themes of love that just get us jamming every time. This song is perfect for a sentimental date in a museum with the clear roofs welcoming the stars above as an illuminating spotlight. Not to mention the spoken word bridge, this is the perfect song to just get lost in someone’s arms and glide like the whole universe is your ballroom.

Raining in Manila - Lola Amour

We’ve all had our “stare through the window as the rain pours” moments as the car cruises. This jovial jive however reclaims that mood of being in the rain as a passenger princess in their feels and into a resolute driver with all the energy to drive toward the horizon chasing the sunshine ahead.

DI NA - Kurt Fick

Cebuano songs have their own caliber of being “blast-on-the-radio” jams as well. An anthem for all the marupok Bisayas who can’t help being enslaved by someone’s alluring qualities? This song might as well be the alarm ringtone to stop chasing that red flag and head to a path of self-love and an endless night with friends.

Puhon - TJ Monterde

In the lexicon of Cebuano words, “puhon” holds its place as one of the most beautiful words both phonetically and semantically. This song is not only for those “right-love-at-the-wrong-time” tropes, but also for those dreams put on hold due to circumstances. With just one word, a covenant is sealed looking onward to a better time: puhon.

OPM is a constant companion in the life of every Filipino.With the industry being an endless universe of new artists being born, you can always count on this plethora of a country’s harmonies to have a song to match the melody of your own heartbeat.