Filipino singing talents waiting to be discovered will have the chance to break into the Philippine music industry through “OPM@PAGCOR, A Nationwide Search for The Total OPM Performer”. The talent search, which was officially launched today, is a tie-up between the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) and the Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mang-aawit (OPM).

PAGCOR Assistant Vice President for Entertainment Bong Quintana said OPM@PAGCOR will give amateur yet exceptional Filipino singers the opportunity to shine and showcase their talents. This is also the state-gaming agency’s response to President Aquino’s directive for PAGCOR to give support to the promotion and advancement of the OPM’s advocacies.

Through the talent search, deserving Filipino singers will have the rare opportunity of being trained by no less than the country’s top music icons. “We will package the most talented artist as the Total OPM performer. Those who will reach the semi-final round will be given proper music training, exposure and opportunities that will help launch their singing career,” Quintana said.

He also expressed appreciation to OPM for choosing PAGCOR as its partner for this special project. “It is a rare chance for PAGCOR to be able to work with the Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mang-aawit. We basically have the same advocacy, which is to promote Philippine culture and arts. This project, the OPM@PAGCOR, solidifies our common cause,” he noted.

Since September last year, PAGCOR has started to strengthen its commitment to showcase Filipino culture by adopting the Filipino theme in all its entertainment offerings and major events. “We have a very rich and diverse culture to play around with. And we have world-class Filipino artists who can compete globally using the Filipino theme, such as our original Filipino music,” Quintana stressed.

Meanwhile, OPM President Ogie Alcasid felt equally elated with their joint endeavor with PAGCOR. “OPM is very happy about this tie-up. This is one of the good examples of private-government cooperation. A good gesture of government support to the local music industry,” he said.

OPM tapped PAGCOR as its partner because of the state-gaming firm’s renewed integrity. It is the very first time that OPM forged a tie-up with PAGCOR for such a laudable project. Apart from financial support, PAGCOR will provide the logistics, promotions and venue for auditions and performance workshops.

Alcasid noted that since the 1980s, local live music performances no longer receive the kind of public attention and popularity as compared to the 70’s. The OPM attributes this to the increasing popularity of foreign music, as well as concerts by international artists.

“Right now Filipino music lacks support. But we are optimistic that through this project we will be able to bring back the glory days of OPM,” Alcasid added.

The OPM@PAGCOR talent search will be tapping the country’s top singers, creative and technical experts, concert directors, and artists’ managers as mentors of the finalists.

“It will be like a reality show without the live TV coverage,” Quintana said. Apart from the chance to learn from the country’s renowned OPM artists, the grand prize winner will receive as much as P300,000 in cash, a recording contract with a major recording company, and another contract to perform at PAGCOR’s Casino Filipino branches. The second place winner will take home a cash prize of P200,000 while the third place winner will be awarded P100,000.

OPM@PAGCOR is open to all amateur Filipino singers or persons with dual citizenship who are at least 18 years old. Applicants for the competition should not have won any major prize in any national singing competition. Deadline of submission of application is on March 10, 2011. Auditions officially start on March 18, 2011 in Casino Filipino Angeles. Other audition venues are the Casino Filipino branches in Pavilion, Tagaytay, Bacolod, Cebu and Davao.

The top two winners from the regional Casino Filipino competitions will qualify for the finals and performance workshop from May 28 to June 4, 2011. The nationwide search for the “Total OPM Performer” will culminate on June 10, 2011 during the grand finals to be held at the PAGCOR Grand Theater, Airport Casino Filipino, Paranaque City.

For more details on OPM@PAGCOR, visit www.PAGCOR.ph or www.opm.org.ph or call OPM at 503-9878 or PAGCOR Entertainment Department at 852-7752 or 852-7760.

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