GORGY RULA:
Naging paksa sa mga usap-usapan sa social media ang pahayag ni Jose Mari Chan sa interview sa kanya ni Boy Abunda sa Fast Talk With Boy Abunda noong Biyernes, September 1, 2023.
Read: Jose Mari Chan, hindi akalaing magiging Christmas tradition ang "Christmas In Our Hearts"
Sinabi ng veteran singer-composer na sa panahon ngayong wala nang ibinebentang CDs at cassette tapes, hindi na ganun maganda ang kita ng musicians kung aasa lang sa digital, gaya ng Spotify at iba pang digital music platforms.
Sabi ni JMC kay Kuya Boy, “Not anymore, Boy. Because the technology has changed. Nobody buys CDs, nobody buys cassetes anymore.
"So we earn a little bit from Spotify, not too much, and also from endorsements and doing shows, that's all."
Kaya ang payo niya sa singers at musicians, gawing hobby na lang ito dahil mahirap asahang kumita sa ganitong propesyon.
Sabi pa niya, “Especially now with the technology changed, it's very hard to live on music.
"That's why my advice to the young composers and singers is that, use that as a hobby or on the side, but get another career, either in law or accounting or medicine.
"And then just do music on the side. Don't lose it completely because that's God's given gift to you."
Nakapanayam ng PEP Troika ang premyado at iginagalang na composer na si Vehnee Saturno sa press launch at contract signing ng bagong protegé niyang si Jeri Violago ngayong Miyerkules, September 6.
Hiningan namin siya ng reaksiyon sa sinabi ng tinaguriang "Father of Philippine Christmas Music"
Pahayag ni Vehnee, “Wala namang mali dun sa sinabi niya.
"Siguro, yung area lang na sinabi niya na walang assurance na makakabuhay ng pamilya. Kailangan, you have another... yung mag-aral ka ng medicine o mag-aral ka ng pagka-lawyer.
“Tama naman, in a way. Pero siguro, medyo hindi lang ganun ka-sweet yung pag-deliver ni Joe. Pero wala naman, hindi ko naman nakikitang offensive."
Sinabi ni Vehnee, kahit saan ka mang propesyon, kung hindi ka talaga magiging successful, o yung wala talagang nangyayari, mabuting subukan mo ang ibang linya.
“Ako, ang opinyon ko sa lahat na mga songwriters, mga musicians, ituloy lang yung kaya mong magawa.
"Kung mahabang panahon lang na wala naman talagang mangyayari, that's the time for them to switch na baka merong mas bagay sa kanilang gawin para maging successful sila.
“Ako lang, ang masasabi ko, tuloy lang.
"Pero kung in the long run wala namang nangyayari sa yo... kahit sa anong profession, kung wala naman talagang nangyayari sa yo, siguro mag-isip ka rin kung saan ka mag-switch kung saang mas kumportable ka.”
JERRY OLEA:
Nakitaan ni Vehnee ng potential ang baguhang singer na si Jeri Violago.
Pursigido si Jeri sa pinasok niyang career, kahit nakapagtapos naman siya, at nakapag-graduate pang cum laude sa Ateneo de Manila University ng kursong Business Management.
Kahit may negosyo ang magulang niya na gustong ipa-handle sa kanya, mas pinili ni Jeri ang singing career.
Sabi ng newbie singer, “For me naman, ever since I was young, I wished to become a singer, an artist. So, it wasn't naman difficult decision."
Family friend nila si Jose Mari Chan. Para raw sa kanya, kung nasa iyo ang pagpupursiging ituloy ang pagkanta, at nasa tamang tao ka, puwede mong ipagpatuloy ang propesyong ito.
"Of course, si Sir Jose Mari Chan is already established. He has a lot of exposures, a lot of endorsements, a lot of brand deals. It’s not just music, he has also different businesses.
"I think, if you're really passionate about something, and if you see yourself really becoming something in the future, if you really believe in yourself…
“And if you have a healthy environment around you, a support group, a support system, my family, my manager, and of course the writers as well, I think it is something that you can pursue," pahayag ni Jeri.
Pumirma si Jeri sa Star Music para sa distribution ng dalawang kantang ini-record niya na likha ni Vehnee Saturno — ang "Gusto Kita" at "Hindi Ka Na Mag-iisa."
NOEL FERRER:
My take on JMC’s statement has been articulated by two musician/composers that I admire — sina Trina Belamide at Marvin Querido.
Ito ang sabi ni Trina, “In the '90s, nasabihan din ako ng parents ko to just have music on the side. Hindi ko naman minasama.
“That suggestion came from a place of love and they were always supportive of my hobbies.
“But it was a combination of many things — hilig sa music, not having financial obligations, good contacts, right place right time, etc. — that enabled me to try without fear of failing, and ultimately make a living off of songwriting.
“When my parents saw I was making more na than I was making with the office job that I had abandoned, naging kampante na sila.
“Admittedly may mga side hustle din ako. Doing vocal arrangements, singing for some recordings, doing voice-over stuff occasionally, a few jingles, singing at weddings.
“But yes, mostly songwriting. Kaunti lang kasi kami nun at uso ang advance royalties. And many albums were being made before piracy came along.
“And then there were also the contest winnings, and 2004 medyo windfall with 'Shine' getting used in a commercial and 'Now That I Have You' in a movie, at merong mga ringtone na nauso, etc.
“In-invest ko ang aking naipon sa munting resort business na napalago unti-unti kasama ang aking pamilya.
“Buti na lang din because passive income has been able to sustain me through a much-changed music landscape.
“If I were to begin as a full-time songwriter TODAY... nakupo. I honestly don't think I'd be as successful.
“There is so much competition, so many songwriters. Hindi impossible mag-succeed, pero hindi madali.
“JMC's advice to young composers and musicians to make it a hobby na lang, I realize how it can come across as hurtful to some hard-working musicians and students who aspire to make it.
“It's okay to feel some hugot, but don't let it get to you or feel overly offended. I guess the reason I am not as hurt is because I WAS actually told the exact same thing by my parents.
“But it did not stop me from doing what I wanted at pinayagan naman nila ako gawin ang gusto ko. I just had to prove to them and to myself that I had what it took to make music my career.
“JMC's advice comes from a place of concern for young artists’ financial welfare. Medyo old school yung pagbanggit ng lawyers and accountants.
“Ibig lang naman niya sabihin ay ‘other jobs’ that can help us fund whatever our passions are. Kung suswertehin ka and you do make money from doing ONLY the thing you love, good for you!
“But if you are part of the majority that have to find other sources of income to augment what you earn from music, that's wonderful, too.”
Heto naman ang sabi ni Marvin Querido, “Nagpayo po si JMC. Payo. Hindi utos. Hindi batas. Hindi pakiusap.
“Puwedeng hindi sundin o pakinggan. Walang huli. Walang kulong. Walang multa. Kahit pitik sa tenga, wala.
“Parang payo ng Waze. Kung hindi mo gustong sundin, walang magagalit. Lalung-lalo kung passion mo naman ang ma-traffic.”
They make a lot of sense, di ba?