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Producer Tommie Mopia: 'Pinoy concert scene in the US is very much alive'
Producer Tommie Mopia: 'Pinoy concert scene in the US is very much alive'
The Filipino concert scene in the US is very much alive, as many venues have returned to their pre-pandemic glory.
This was revealed by Filipino-American entrepreneur and producer Tommie Mopia during a lunch with some members of the entertainment press in Quezon City recently.
"Siguro nasabik ang mga kababayan natin sa US na manood ng mga Filipino artists. That's why the concert scene featuring Pinoy stars is very much active these days," said Tommie. "Halos every week meron kaming mga OPM concert doon. We're back!"
On his beginnings in the concert scene, Tommie recalled that his meeting with Filipino-American music director Troy Laureta paved the way for him to produce concerts and shows with Pinoy artists abroad.
"I needed a break. I needed something that was fun. That's why I ventured into the entertainment scene," said Tommie during an interview for CNN Philippines recently.
The first concert he ever produced was for Jake Zyrus in November 2021. Then he also came up with a show featuring Troy. One thing led to another, and he worked with other Filipino artists.
On Sept. 4, Tommie said that Starlink Promotions, Hiraya Media, and TGM Group of Companies Inc. (a group he founded) produced “For The Love of Broadway” featuring Broadway stars themselves Bryan Geli and Joan Richelle A of Miss Saigon with the SoCal’s best Fil-Am vocalists.
"The Filipino concert scene in the US is alive, but the question is bihira silang mapansin ng Hollywood. Lagi lang silang nasa Filipino community nagpe-perform," he said. "I think it's the genre of music that they choose. Kasi, if you will only cater to the Filipino community, you will only cater to Filipino fans. Meron tayong mga Fil-Ams na hindi naman nakakaintindi. I don't have anything against them, but it's the reality."
He identified OPM stars Regine Velasquez, Lani Misalucha, Sharon Cuneta, Martin Nievera and Nina as hitmakers in the US concert scene for Pinoys. "It's so easy ibenta ang mga tickets nila. People pay for it and the sponsorship, it's so easy. Kasi they're icons sa Fil-Am community."
Tommie noted the importance of sponsors when staging concerts. "With ticket sales, it's not enough. It's not going to fly out. You need to get sponsors."
OPM pop group 6Cyclemind, he said, is also coming to the US in November for a series of shows. "More Filipino artists are scheduled to do shows in the coming months. We're planning to do shows with Lea Salonga for December and January."
His advice to young Filipino entrepreneurs in the US: "You need to love what you do. Filipinos are a minority here. So when people see you as a minority, you need to do something special. You need to give something that's new to them. You just love your dream, chase your dream and work hard for it. And everything will just flow through. Just love what you do."
Tommie is this year’s recipient of Gawad Amerika’s Outstanding Young Entrepreneur Award 2022. He is behind a healthcare business that kicked off in 2016. “This award means a lot to me. My heart is full and grateful for being recognized for my work and contribution to the Filipino-American community in the US. This gives me the inspiration to pursue more.”