FILSCAP

 Celebrating Filipino music

By Earl D.C. Bracamonte

By virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 933 signed in 2014, the last week of July each year is declared as Linggo ng Musikang Pilipino. It aims to achieve the long-term goal of reviving original Pilipino music (OPM) that the Filipino audience has awareness and appreciation of as homegrown music; as it also promotes and develops the local music industry, not only in advancing Filipino arts and culture but also contributing to the development of the economy, providing employment and revenue stream, as well as supporting other local industries and revitalizing governmental efforts to promote Philippine compositions.

This year, the NCCA and the Filipino Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers Inc. (FILSCAP) are in the works to serve various programs and activities for the public in celebration of this annual event.

"FILSCAP oversees the management of music creators and their works. We also showcase the richness of Philippine music in all its diversity," enthused the agency's membership manager Keren Zyra Pascual during a recent confab at the NCCA Auditorium.

This year, it continues with its 8th annual Masters Lecture series. Each year, renowned Filipino songwriters share tips, writing process, as well as stories  behind the compositions which are now part of the ever-growing library of OPM songs.

The lecture series, which runs from July 26-28, hopes to generate support and interest to Filipino songs by giving a peek into the minds of composers. This year's panel of speakers include Yael Yuzon, Ebe Dancel, Fr. Manoling Francisco, and Edwin Marollano.

They join the ranks of former lecturers that include Jose Mari Chan, Rey Valera, Vehnee Saturno, Jay Durias, Mike Villegas, Ryan Cayabyab, Louie Ocampo, Odette Quesada, Kitchie Nadal, and Yeng Constantino.

FILSCAP is the government accredited non-profit collective management organization for music creating and copyright owners which primarily licenses the public playing, broadcast, and streaming, in the Philippines of copyrighted local and foreign songs. Part of its mandate is to promote local music creation, development, and appreciation.

The highlight of this year's celebration is a concert at the Open Air Auditorium of the Rizal/Luneta Park in Manila on Sunday, July 24, at 6 in the evening. The show's repertoire will encompass several genres of Filipino music.