OPM HITMEN. From left: Renz Verano, Richard Reynoso, Rannie Raymundo, and Chad Borja

The OPM Hitmen - composed of popular Filipino balladeers Richard Reynoso, Rannie Raymundo, Chad Borja, and Renz Verano - are taking their hit songs to the concert scene in the US for the first time.

During a pocket interview with the well-known singers at Victorino's Restaurant in Morato, Quezon City recently, Richard said: "First-time namin sa US as a group kaya excited kaming lahat. We're looking forward na pagkatapos nito, may susunod pa uli (na shows) kasi they haven't seen a show like this." (It's our first time to hold a series of shows in the US together, so we are all excited. We're looking forward to our shows there. They haven't seen a show like this.)

Pen De Leon Manahan, CEO of Spotlight Media Entertainment, and producer of the show, said that the group will hold a series of shows in Anaheim, and San Diego, California; Las Vegas, Nevada; and Hawaii in September and October this year.

"They made their mark through their own signature songs, which became part of our lives. Get the chance to know them once again as they head to the US for a series of shows," said Pen, during a Zoom with the artists and the entertainment press.

Many may not know it, but the group has been doing shows for more than 10 years. The group's last successful shows were held in the United Arab Emirates for the Filipino communities in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Qatar.

"Nakakatuwa dahil after three months namin magshow doon, pinabalik uli kami with bigger audience," said Richard, who brought us the monster hits "Hindi Ko Kaya," "Paminsan-Minsan," Maalala Mo Pa Rin," among others.

(It's funny because, after three months of performing there, we were asked to go back for more shows with a bigger audience.)

Richard, a board member of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board, recalled how the group was created on Aug. 30, 2012.

"Nagsimula ang lahat noong nakasama ko si Rannie sa isang production number. Then nagkantayawan kami. So sabi, sa backstage pa lang, show na itong ginagawa namin. Sayang naman kung hindi ito nakikita ng mga tao. So nagplano na kami at nagconceptualize.

"It's 100 percent OPM. Walang script, walang director dahil may edad na rin kami. Walang script kasi baka hindi na namin maalala yung sasabihin namin at wala kaming choreographer dahil baka may mabalian. But seriously, we made it that way because the stage becomes our playground.

(It's 100 percent OPM. There's no script, no director because we're too old for that. We didn't have a script because we might not remember what we will say and we didn't have a choreographer because someone might break. But seriously, we made it that way because the stage becomes our playground.

"I have personal relationship with Renz because I've worked with him before in Alpha Records. Si Chad used to be with GMA Supershow. Tagal namin nagtrabaho doon. At matagal na kaming magkaibigan ni Rannie. When we started this group, si Rannie ang una kong nilapitan. Sa kanya ko na-pitch na magsama-sama kami.

(I have a personal relationship with Renz because I've worked with him before in Alpha Records. Chad used to be with GMA Supershow. We worked there for a long time. Rannie and I have been friends for many years. When we started this group, Rannie was the first person I approached to tell him about my idea about the group.)

"Matagal ng naka-retain yung word na Hitmen. Balak namin noon 90s Hitmen. Pero nung ginagawa yung poster, buti na lang nagkamali yung artist, napababa yung letter S at naging 90 S-hitmen. So inalis namin at ginawa na lang Hitmen. Kaso hindi puwedeng hitmen lang. Bakit? Paano kung pumunta ka ng probinsya at Tagalog kami ipapakilala. Mga kaibigan, 'ang Hitmen.' Parang ang baho. So ginawa naming OPM Hitmen," Richard said.

What makes Richard so proud of them is that they are very organized and responsible. Do you believe the group has a joint account in which they deposit some of their revenue from their concerts?

"Self-sufficient ang group namin para may pondo kami. Nagamit pa namin 'yung pondo noong pandemic.  Yung humahawak ng pera namin si Renz ekonomista from UP. Hindi ka magkakamali roon. Nakapag-ipon kami so meron kaming napaghugutan during pandemic. That was meant to be for costumes, etc. pero eventually lumawak yung ginawa namin. There was a time an artist was having an unfortunate time kumuha kami roon ng konting tulong para sa kanya. Active ang account at hindi mawawala yun. After every show, may nilalagay roon si Renz. Organized ang group at responsible sa aming business," Richard also said.

(Our group is self-sufficient, so we have funds. We even used the funds during the pandemic. The one who handles our money is Renz, a graduate of economics at the University of the Philippines. You can't go wrong there. We really saved. The fund was meant to be for costumes, etc. but eventually, it expanded. There was a time an artist was having an unfortunate time. So we took some money from the fund and helped the guy. The account is active and it will not disappear. After every show, Renz will put a portion of our earnings in the bank. The group is organized and responsible for our business.)

Pen de Leon Manahan

It's been more than 30 years now since their respective signature songs hit the airwaves. These days, their songs are very much alive and can be heard on all social media platforms. In 2015, the OPM Hitmen were also named Aliw Awards Best Major Concert By a Group.

"Salamat po sa videoke. Nung kinanta po nila yung kanta namin, lalong nabuhay ang mga kanta namin at umabot hanggang sa generation ngayon," said Richard. (Thank you for the videoke. When they sang our songs, our songs came alive and reached the generation today.)

Get to know the other members of OPM Hitmen:

Chad made an impact in the music industry in 1991 via the hit song "Ikaw Lang." Unknown to many, his journey dates back to 1987 when Chad formed the group C-60 in Cebu, his hometown. In 1988, Chad went to Manila and joined The New Minstrels Band and performed not only locally but also internationally. The following year, he moved on to join the Zee Band and had stints in Singapore, Malaysia, and Guam.

In 1997, after doing a series of shows in the US, Chad, at the peak of his career, was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. Although he was thankful that this was a curable type, he couldn't help but lose hope as he was unsure of what is to happen in the future. His operation turned out to be a successful one, but the radiation treatments and medications continued for years. Twelve years after this nightmare, Chad was declared cancer-free by his doctors and was ready to conquer the music world again. He accepted a six-month gig in Singapore with the band and was singing 45 songs a night.

Rannie, dubbed the Great OPM Hitmaker, entered the music scene by way of testing the waters by submitting a demo tape to the radio station 99.5 RT just to see if the listeners will like his music. Luckily, after one week, the song entitled "Hanggang Kailan" was a hit in the station's Top 40, and in less than a month, it hit the Top 3. That same year, OctoArts released his self-titled album, which included the phenomenal hit song "Why Can't It Be?" and became his signature song. The album got the Platinum Award. Several albums followed namely All The Right Grooves, Maskara, Oras, etc.

In the Metropop Song Festival, he bagged the third prize as interpreter together with UNO for the song "Ang wit Mo" in 1996 and in 2000 as best interpreter. His musical talent is not limited to just being a singer and composer as he can also play several instruments. He has also directed and hosted TV shows, conventions, and company gatherings.

Renz debuted in the music industry with the self-titled album in 1995, which contained mostly songs that are adaptations of international songs but had lyrics written in our country's native tongue. His second album "Para Sa'yo," released the following year, contained the hit song "Remember Me," which became his signature song and this album reached 5x platinum. His third album entitled "Mula Noon Hanggang Ngayon" also got a Platinum Record Award. To date, he has already recorded and released 10 albums.

Working with the group is Gary Reynoso, also the personal manager and sound adviser of his brother Richard. He is the group's production assistant, stage manager, audio man, and production manager of different shows and campaigns.