Filipinos sure love finding and celebrating talent–even from the most unlikely of places. Reality competitions? Singing contests? Talent shows? A lot of the biggest names in the entertainment scene today are actually products of talent competitions.
If you’re looking for the next big OPM star, you won’t have to look everywhere or very far—try the LRT-1 on a weekend and you could discover an act that’s totally fresh and unexpected.
(photo credit: Organisasyon ng mga Pilipinong Mang-Aawit)
Last May 16, at the Baclaran station, soulful local songbird Miss Ramonne belted out original OPM hits and covers to the delight of commuters. This is one with the mission of the Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC) and ikotMNL, alongside partners, the Organisasyon ng mga Pilipinong Mang-Aawit (OPM) to host something that’s totally unique for both the Filipino music scene and the LRT lines. Railway Jam, a series of busking sessions where local musicians and acts perform at the Baclaran, Doroteo Jose, and Monumento LRT-1 stations for the commuters’ entertainment.
“We recognize the wealth of musical talent in our local OPM musicians, and we wanted to give them an open space to showcase those gifts,” said LRMC president and CEO Juan Felipe Alfonso. “In doing so, we also wanted to entertain our riding public and ease the stresses of commuting.”
“OPM is really grateful to LRMC for the avenue they provided us,” said OPM president Ogie Alcasid. “All our acts are talented and eager to perform for the public, and we believe they deserve to be heard and supported by as many as possible.”
And you don’t have to miss out—you can keep discovering the next big OPM act at select LRT-1 stations every week until June! Just like their page at OPM – Organisasyon ng mga Pilipinong Mang-Aawit on Facebook or @opmsingers on Instagram for the full Railway Jam schedule. Who knows, the next one you catch might break out, and you can say that you were right there up close at their Railway Jam session!
ikotMNL is a tourism campaign launched by the LRMC in August 2018 that connects local and foreign travelers to Manila’s top heritage, and food destinations by way of riding the LRT-1, allowing them to experience the city’s colorful history and diverse culture through the train route.
For more details, visit ikotmnl.com, like ikotMNL on Facebook, and follow @ikotmnl on Instagram and Twitter.