Lovers of Original Pilipino Music must check out Hard Rock Cafe Manila because it features well-loved OPM songs for the merry month of May.

Hard Rock Cafe's resident bands, like Lockdown, Wendy's Project, and Bluegrass, will be singing covers of OPM greats—from the Manila Sound of the 1970s to the legendary Eraserheads of the 1990s and the phenomenal SB19 at present. All the decades are represented by Hard Rock, which pays tribute to the music that defined the nation and remains relevant even in the age of K-Pop.

"We all know that music is hard rock's blood. It's in our soul, heart and everything," explained Clint Brian Peck, Hard Rock Cafe's Director of Operations. "We want to show our followers  that we're not just an international concept that can do international music. We're also a venue that can also promote OPM."

Apart from cover songs, the world-class cafe famous for its live bands, will be bringing in the original artists themselves. In the line-up for May are soulful singers Luke Mejares (who will perform on May 14) and Canada-based chanteuse Jinky Vidal. Both of them are sure to bring the house down with their powerful vocals.

Jinky Vidal is back in town

We talked to Jinky, who is currently in town for her "homecoming" engagement with Hard Rock Cafe and other selected venues. After successful concerts at the Cafe last April, she will showcase her talent again with two performances scheduled on May 15 and 29.

For over a year now, Jinky has been based in Ontario, Canada, with her life partner Jeric Medina (X Factor Season 1 finalist) and their small daughter. She admitted that her adjustment to her new life in a foreign country has been immense and that she misses Pinoy things. On the night of our interview, Jinky savored sampling Hard Rock Cafe Manila's mouthwatering Adobo Burger and Sisig Burger, which are 100% Filipino-inspired and are entries in the World Burger Tour competition.

"I'm not gonna lie, mahirap. Nag-adjust talaga ako ng bonggang-bongga sa Canada. Kasi from a busy life here, biglang pagdating ko dun, wala na. Biglang hatid-sundo na lang ako ng anak ko. Homebody na lang ako. I can say that I miss the nightly gigs," the songstress revealed.

She added that the move to Canada is long-term, as she and Jeric deemed it necessary for their child's future.

"I'm happy that I still get these offers here (in Manila), that's why I grab it. But I also feel that it's my turn to do something for my daughter, to prepare for her future," she remarked.

"Twenty years from now, how will I be able to provide for her? Will I still be doing this or something else along with singing? I'm just opening doors for myself, welcoming the possibilities that Canada has, that maybe I can do this too," she added.

Missing her nightly gigs means that fans can expect Jinky to give it her all whenever she performs in the Philippines. During her April 25 concert at Hard Rock Manila, she sang her latest single, "Totoo," which was composed for her by Jeric.

"With this single that I have now, I hope it's followed by more songs until it becomes a full album. Even if I'm there in Canada, I want to show that I can release new music. Because music is universal anyway, it travels fast," she commented.

What's her advice to other aspiring young artists?

"Ako kasi, I didn't even plan my career. It just came to me. I wanted at first to be a newscaster since I took up mass communication, but you never really know what will come to you. You follow your heart. Ano ba ang gusto mong gawin sa buhay mo? Anong type mo? Anong interest mo? You follow that. And then, one day, it will all surprise you," Jinky disclosed.

(Every Thursday this May, Hard Rock Cafe features popular OPM music to be played by its in-house bands. Listen to the greatest songs of iconic groups like Parokya ni Edgar, Rivermaya, Eraserheads, VST & Co., Hotdog, Teeth, Siakol, Bamboo, Urbandub, and Sampaguita. The show starts at 7 pm. To keep updated on the latest happenings and band schedules, check out the social media accounts of @hardrockcafemanila).