OPM icon Ogie Alcasid said he is thrilled to collaborate with young artists for a series of projects this year.

Ogie shared some details during a roundtable interview with the entertainment press for his upcoming show with Odette Quesada entitled "Love, Q&A" at the NUSTAR Convention Center on Feb. 13 and Newport Performing Arts Theater on Feb. 14 and 15.

"I'll be coming up with some collaborations with younger artists this year. So I'm excited for these ventures," said Ogie who celebrated his 35th year in showbiz in 2023.  He did not reveal these young artists. 

Asked about the popular artists he admires, Ogie said: "Marami. Sila Arthur (Nery), Zack (Tabudlo) and Adie.

"Si Adie naka trabaho ko sa Wish. Nasa likod ako noon hinihintay ko yung turn ko. Pinapakinggan ko. Tapos tilian yung mga babae. Sabi ko, 'Ang galing. Ang ganda ng music.

"And then noong New Year naman, napakinggan ko si Arthur Nery. Sabi ko, 'Ang gagaling ng mga batang ito.' Of course si Zack. Sino ba ang hindi nakakakilala kay Zack?

"And then I went to Spotify. Eto na yung mga bago. Eto na yung mga pumalit sa amin. At nakakatuwa na marami sa kanila ay singer-songwriters.

"Iba pa rin yung singers siyempre. Pero yung singer-songwriter kasi yun ako eh. Nakaka-identify ako sa journey nila.

"Ang hirap for a songwriter to be heard. Ang dami kasing magaling. It's a very personal thing eh. Kwento mo yun. So I take my hats off to these young guys. 

When mentioned about the difficulty of the young talent, Ogie laughed and said: "Basta. Huwag na lang."

Ogie admitted that he feels sad for the young artist.

"May mga tao talagang mahirap kausap. Maybe they have their reasons. It's hard to say kung ano yung reason. But sometimes, a simple yes or no is accepted. But if you keep waiting and waiting, it's hard," he said.

OPM president for 14 years

Believe it or not, Ogie has remained the president of the Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mang-aawit (OPM), the country’s biggest and oldest organization of performing artists, for 14 years.

"Hindi pa ako napapalitan. I wish someone would replace me because it's time for the younger ones to come in," the husband Regine Velasquez said.

"Nakakatatlong presidente na tayo - Noynoy, Duterte and PBBM. "I encourage the young people, please take over."

Ogie was elected OPM president on July 2, 2010. He took over when some sectors thought OPM music was dead.

"There was this hashtag 'OPM is Dead.' So, we ensured all our projects were geared towards promoting OPM. Marami yun. And then, I saw pockets of movement from different sectors na nagkaroon ng songwriting competitions at kung anu-ano. From that year until 2016, we now see the likes of Moira, and these younger people who came from the camp. So, I would like to think that the movement helped all of us. 

"Again, I don't want the organization to take credit for that. Pero nagkaroon ng consciousness sa society natin na magkaroon ng pagpapakilala sa sariling atin. Pero ngayon naguumapaw na ang OPM music. Kaliwa't kanan ang OPM. I'm so happy about it," he said.

Ogie mentioned that the group had fought for the recognition of OPM music.

"Pinuntahan namin lahat yan pati sa Congress. But now nasa playlist na nga mga bata ngayon. Pati sa Tiktok, Instagram and Reels. Ang galing ng nagawa nito sa industry," he said.

"I have a feeling iba na yung needs ngayon. That's why I need someone younger to take over because alam na nila yung generation nagyon. But it's hard work. You don't get paid. It's all the headaches," Ogie said. "Our last meeting was before Christmas. We're due for another one."

Other officers of OPM are Gary Valenciano, Dingdong Avanzado, Noel Cabangon, Jose Mari Chan, Mitch Valdez, and Christian Bautista. "This year we will have an election. So we will see."

'Love, Q&A" with Odette and Ogie

For all kinds of love, we seek answers to our endless questions. Let OPM legends Ogie Alcasid and Odette Quesada put your feelings into words through their timeless hits in one concert! “Love, Q & A,”  which will be held on  Feb. 14 and 15 at the Newport Performing Arts Theater at 8 pm.

Can you imagine a night of experiencing the following soundtracks of your lives come to life: Till I Met You, Kailangan Kita, Don’t Know What to Say (Don’t Know What to Do), Pangarap Ko Ang Ibigin Ka, Farewell,  Pangako, Growing Up, Mahal Kita Walang Iba,  to name a few of their hit compositions!

Don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime collaboration live this Feb. 14 and 15 at the Newport Performing Arts Theater stage.  Get your tickets now at SM Tickets, TicketWorld, or contact the following: Paulo San Jose – 0917 810 5031; James Rodriguez – 0917 829 2173; JhayR Dela Cruz – 0917 818 9847; and Raf Sangco – 0917 807 9387.

“Love, Q & A” is presented by Newport Resort Casino and NY Entourage Productions.