Sarah Geronimo Urges Fellow Pinoys To Show Support For Original Pilipino Music
SARAH GERONIMO – Popstar Royalty Sarah Geronimo encouraged her fellow Filipinos to rally behind Original Pilipino Music (OPM).
Sarah Geronimo called on fellow Filipinos to demonstrate their backing for OPM rather than engaging in comparisons. This call came weeks after she received the Global Force Award at the Billboard Women in Music event in Los Angeles, California.
On March 22, Geronimo was honored as Woman of the Year by Billboard Philippines Women in Music during a ceremony in Taguig. The event also celebrated other female artists, including Regine Velasquez, Moira Dela Torre, BINI, Pilita Corrales, Morissette Amon, Belle Mariano, and Ena Mori.
During her acceptance speech, the singer-actress expressed her hope that Filipinos would demonstrate “support and respect” for OPM, despite the tendency for comparisons to be deeply ingrained “in our nature.”
“Kung meron man akong pangarap para sa ating industriya at bansa, ito ay malakas na suporta, paniniwala at respeto sa kakayahan ng bawat isa. Alam kong nasa nature nating mag-kompara. Ako rin ay guilty diyan,” she began.
“But I was reminded when I went to the Billboard Women in Music Awards in LA, nakita ko gaano ka-diverse ang musika at talino ng isang tao,” she continued.
Sarah Geronimo went on to mention that during her time in the United States, she observed that while every artist is recognized for their talent, they prioritize assisting and endorsing the type of music they contribute.
“Kung gaano ka-talented ang artists na nag-perform onstage and nakatanggap ng awards, walang nakakalamang,” she said. “Lahat may husay, talino, at kanya-kanyang kontribusyon na hindi naman pala kailangan mag-kompara ng talento sa iba.”
As a result, Sarah emphasized that if her fellow Filipinos directed their efforts towards uplifting one another, there would be greater potential for the advancement of OPM.
“Kung tayo, magkakaisa, tayo rin mismo ang makakapag-angat ng antas ng ating industriya katulad ng nagawa ng mga banyaga,” she said.
During her speech, the “Tala” singer encouraged fellow female artists not to let themselves be overwhelmed by negative thoughts regarding the timelines and standards imposed on them.
Sarah also emphasized the importance of being fearless in “carving [their] own paths” without succumbing to peer pressure.