SINGER-songwriter Ogie Alcasid has said that he is ready to give up his post as president of the Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mang-aawit to give way to the younger generation of local musicians.
“Kasi naman six years na ako. I gave up a lot especially of my time with my family pero after six years, it’s about time the younger ones should take over,” said Alcasid, during an interview on “Tonight with Boy Abunda” on ABS-CBN.
Alcasid, 48, confirmed reports that he would choose Yael Yuzon, vocalist and guitarist of the band Sponge Cola, if he were to pick the next OPM president.
Yuzon, 32, a graduate of the Ateneo de Manila University with a degree in English Literature, is the husband of singer-actress Karylle.
“Medyo, medyo tutoo yun. Kasi nagkaroon kami noon ng konting umpukan. Gusto ko yung mga sinasabi n’ya. Nung time namin puro kami mga singers, ngayon may banda na. Iba na yung needs ng banda unlike nung time namin na puro singers.
So sana if someone like him who comes from the band scene can be a leader,” according to the husband of Asia’s Songbird Regine Velasquez.
Asked if Yuzon was interested, Alcasid laughed and said: “Hindi ko alam. Nag-iiba na kasi ngayon, very challenging talaga.”
Abunda praised Alcasid for spearheading the OPM organization. “You have done so much for OPM. I cannot imagine OPM without Ogie Acasid.” The pop icon replied: “Maraming salamat po!”
‘Ayokong Tumanda’
On Saturday, Aug. 27, Alcasid will turn 49 and he will celebrate his birth anniversary with a concert entitled “Ayokong Tumanda” at the Music Museum in Greenhills, San Juan City.
Asked if he does not really want to get old, Alcasid: “Hindi naman. Tulad nung mga katulad ko na nasa mid life, I think we should embrace the fact that we are getting old. But we should never lose that child in us.”
Abunda said that Alcasid still looks young despite his age.
“Kilitian lang kami ng kilitian. Hindi ko alam kung nakikita n’yo yung mga Instagram namin pero ganun kami sa bahay.
Laughing, singing, music. I think music is such a gift. If you listen to a lot of music, it actually rejuvenates.
Music heals. Makakalimutan mo ang mga problema mo,” Alcasid added.
Alcasid said that he has a new CD called “Ikaw ang Buhay Ko.” The CD, he said, contains five songs which he wrote for his wife and five other songs.
Of the songs he recorded so far, Alcasid said “Nandito Ako” is his favorite. Released in 1989, his second song became the title of the movie which starred Kris Aquino and Phillip Salvador in 1994.
“This is one song that really started it all. I didn’t write it – but it was written for me by my friend Aaron Paul del Rosario,” Alcasid said, as he sang the chorus of the popular tune in the late-night show.
Alcasid said that he was surprised that millenials know his songs.
“I came from another interview and puro millenials. It was strange that they were singing my songs. Sabi ko, ‘Wow this is great! Ang galing!'” he said.
Alcasid blasted in the music scene with the song “Dito sa Puso Ko” in 1989. His other monster hits include “Bakit Ngayon Ka Lang?”, “Sa Kanya,” “Pangako,” “Huwag Ka Lang Mawawala,” Kailangan Kita.”