They say you won’t know you’re living in the golden age until you aren’t anymore. Well, 2009 was definitely the golden age for OPM music. It gave us classics from bands that didn’t sing about body parts or other lyrics with double meaning. And although it’s undeniable that the OPM scene today is thriving, we still miss the simple life in 2009 blasting these songs on the radio or waiting for the videos on Myx.
Antukin by Rico Blanco
Back in 2009 waiting for the Myx Daily Top 10 on TV to play, this video got most of us late for school. When else could we see Rico Blanco back then? Not everyone had access to the internet. There are rumors swirling that Rico made this song for KC Concepcion, the woman that broke his heart. Fast forward to 10 years later and we’d still belt out the lyrics to this song and Rico Blanco is facing bigger issues than his love life.
Di na Mababawi by Sponge Cola
Sponge Cola is one of the most-loved OPM bands of this generation. You might not admit it but back then, you used to pretend you were in a music video, acting brokenhearted to this song. Maybe this was even your high school break up theme song!
Pusong Ligaw by Jericho Rosales
Echo revealed that he wrote this song for his former girlfriend Kristine Hermosa. Afterward, when they were both cast as on-screen partners for Dahil May Iisang Ikaw, an ABS-CBN teleserye, Echo re-wrote the song to fit the series.
Hiling by Silent Sanctuary
Before there was December Avenue, there was Silent Sanctuary with their songs that made you weep like a baby. Silent Sanctuary’s songs were heartbreak anthems for many high school students back then, and even now, when the memory has faded, their feeling for the song still remains. Don’t believe us? Have a Silent Sanctuary marathon at 1AM then!
Jeepney Love Story by Yeng Constantino
Have you ever had a crush on a stranger during your commutes? Or probably the only time you can see your crush is in the mornings during your jeepney ride. Yeng Constantino perfectly sings the feelings we can’t express whenever we see a stranger we like. Her song even has a quirky music video starring Ivan Dorschner and (gasp) Piolo Pascual. How many times did you overplay this song?
Kasalanan by 6CycleMind ft. Gloc-9
In an intense music video starring Maricar Reyes, 6cyclemind and Gloc-9 reminds us how we don’t know what we have until it’s gone or taken from us. Gloc-9 spat out verses that, in millennial speak, were on-point that they hurt. Kasalanan made it to the top of charts everywhere back in 2009 and it made us love OPM bands and Pinoy rap even more.
Sandali Na Lang by Hale
Champ Lui Pio’s soothing voice filled the airwaves with Hale’s song, Sandali Na Lang. Champ sings of waiting for that special someone to come into your life and the hope it fills you knowing that one day you will be together. This song has also dominated charts back in 2009 and rightfully so! Watch Hale perform it a decade later here.
Sana by Up Dharma Down
Up Dharma Down’s song Sana was released in October of 2008 but everybody started listening to it by 2009 spurring the song to fame. This band is one of OPM’s best gems, they’ve now changed their name to a simple UDD. Armi Millare’s perfect command of Tagalog words to fit into a sad melody resonating with everyone is magic. And even a decade later, with their newest album released, UDD’s spark still hasn’t dulled.
What was the soundtrack of your 2009? Share it with us below!
