Fortunately and impressively, despite this long drawn-out pandemic, the Filipino recording industry has maintained the status quo. And it’s all thanks to music streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music and TikTok, which have made it possible to record what Netflix has almost achieved on its own for film and television, here and around the world.

In fact, at the height of the coronavirus epidemic, even emerging artists were able to pursue their careers rather than regress, whether that was by composing potential quarantine tubes and quickly recording them in the safety of their homes.

Technology, of course, was essential every step of the way. Specialized computer programs that bring recording studios to life anytime, anywhere, and those sound engineers can use to mix and master tracks, and finally, the ubiquitous e-mail with its records. and its clouds to transfer the high quality recording to music labels for distribution.

Oh, and special credit goes to Zoom since the meetings between singers, songwriters, musicians, etc. allowed the creative process – ergo Original Pilipino Music (OPM) – to continue.

As this country of talented singers and music lovers eagerly awaits better days, The Manila Times Entertainment applauds the following OPM bearers and nurturers for defying the odds and thriving.

Rob Deniel’s “Ulap” currently has over 25 million streams on Spotify.

BEN & BEN. Arguably the hottest OPM group of the day, the pandemic years of 2020 and 2021 continue to belong to the nine-member gifted group of Ben & Ben. Beating Korean pop boyband BTS on the local streaming charts, the pop-folk group has certainly proven OPM’s dominance with hit singles like “Di Ka Sayang”, “Nakikinig Ka Ba Sa Akin” and “Lifetime”.

Refusing to let the pandemic restrict their artistry and need for expression, twins Miguel and Paolo Guico went so far as to move into one roof where they finally completed their highly anticipated and highly successful second album “Pebble House, Vol. . 1: Kuwaderno “in August 2021.

ZACK TABUDLO. Last year, at the height of the pandemic, this former “The Voice Kids Season 1” competitor joined Island Records Philippines, where he quickly released viral singles like “Nangangamba”, “Cruel”, ” Sigurado, ”“ Iyong Iyo, ”and“ Elizabeth ”which went viral.

Zack Tabudlo’s “Binibini” reigned atop the Spotify charts for six straight weeks.

But it was the song “Binibini” that took him to Times Square in New York where his billboard stands proudly promoting the single. The record-breaking track has reigned atop the Spotify charts for six straight weeks and was a Filipino artist RADAR’s # 1 longest-running local track in the Philippines Top 50 this year. The same song again topped the charts for four consecutive weeks in the Global Viral chart of the same platform. This has given it a global foothold, propelling it to the Viral 50 rankings of Canada, Singapore, Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Tabudlo has just released a new track, “Habang Buhay”, which is steadily climbing the music streaming lists today.

ONE DEATH. This singer-songwriter and freshman released a track in 2020 called “Luha”, but it was “Paraluman” released last March that made him one of OPM’s groundbreaking acts.

“Paraluman” is currently one of the highest ranked OPM songs on Spotify’s Top 50 Philippines. The song now has over 18 million streams on the digital platform. Her music video featuring actress Ivana Alawi has also reached 5.6 million views on YouTube since its release.

Adie’s career began when he gathered a large following on social media after posting viral covers of his favorite songs. He released another original single, “Dungaw”, last July.

ANGELA KEN. Angela Rojas, also known online as Angela Ken, was discovered on TikTok, where she went viral after posting a then unfinished song, “Ako Naman Muna”. Finally signed by Star Magic and ABS-CBN Music, his single was officially released in March and now has over 22 million streams on Spotify. It’s also one of the highest-ranked OPM songs in Spotify’s Top 50 Philippines, with an English version released last July quickly catching up.

ROB DENIEL. The 17-year-old singer-songwriter released his first single “Ulap” last year and currently has over 25 million streams on Spotify.

“I actually didn’t expect it to be famous because I started from scratch and Ulap’s release happened spontaneously. In fact, I was so bored at home and I ‘wanted to release the song so that others can hear it, ”he told Manila Times Entertainment in a virtual interview.

From there, he released “Gabi” and “Baby I Tried” one after another in 2020, with a follow-up titled “Ang Rosas” last March, and his most recent track, “Darling, Darling “.

JUAN CAOILE. During the 2020 strict shutdowns, the LSS (last song syndrome) that most people had had since the pre-pandemic days, featured the lyrics: “Ikaw ang binibini na ninanais ko, Binibining marikit na dalangin ko.” Ikaw ang nagbigay ng kulay sa ‘king mundo. Sana ay panghabang-buhay na ito. “Entitled” Marikit “(with Kyle), this OPM became one of the most released hip-hop songs last year and continues to grow beyond 46 46 million streams on Spotify only.

“I was so grateful to have my first hit song in the midst of the pandemic because it had such a big impact on people with anxiety and depression. I think it was useful and entertaining; that’s why I’m so grateful that God used me as an instrument through music, ”Caoile explained in an interview.

On a roll, he has just released his latest single, “Saranggola”.

BANDANG LAPIS. This is by far the revolutionary OPM group on the pandemic with hits such as “Sana’y Di Na Lang”, “Kung Saan Ka Masaya”, “Nang Dumating Ka” and their biggest, “Kabilang Buhay”, the pushing to the front of the music scene.

“We are happy because our song has become one of the hits of 2020, although part of us feels very sad about the many deaths this pandemic has caused,” said singer John Lester Abano. “This song was inspired by a friend of ours whose girlfriend died from Covid-19.”

Raw and heartfelt, “Kabilang Buhay” has amassed over 34 million streams on Spotify.

Bandang Lapis is made up of vocalist John Lester Abaño, guitarist Mark Jay Nievas, guitarist Lyn Rey Beltran, bassist Ryanpaul Marangga, drummer Leandro Repuno, keyboardist Jomari Gabriel Luna and acoustic guitarist Ivan Arcena Morallos. They used to participate in group competitions Viva Records signed them as a group.