Radio Republic serves OPM 24/7

I’ve always been an ardent supporter of Filipino music (also known here as OPM) and it is a conscious decision that I feature mostly local recording artists and their respective albums in this blog. Alas, I find it lamentable that local music rarely gets any airplay in mainstream radio here. Fortunately, OPM has found a new ally via Radio Republic, the newest online media station that broadcasts only Filipino music 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Formally launching this week, Radio Republic will not only play OPM 24/7, but it will also broadcast talk programs via live video streaming featuring various Filipino recording artists and musicians from all possible genres. Twinky Lagdameo, the Chief of Strategy and Business Development, told me that Radio Republic stemmed out of 7101 Music Nation’s aim in developing and nurturing the Filipino music talents and skills. 7101 Music Nation also conducts Elements, an annual songwriting/singing camp attended by music industy A-listers (Ryan Cayabyab, Gary Valenciano, Aiza Seguerra, Jed Madela, Noel Cabangon and a lot more) held in Dumaguete, Negros Oriental. And out of this desire to help and promote Filipino music by providing them an outlet to be heard, that Radio Republic was born.

Jay Durias and Ryan Cayabyab discuss the opening number of Muchikahan

So far, Radio Republic has been on air (but not yet 24/7) for a couple of weeks and I was very fortunate to see firsthand how things went during the initial broadcast of Muchikahan with Ryan Cayabyab (aka Mr. C) and Jay Durias. The show during this dry run featured the show’s first ever guests, Baihana, (Mel Torre, Krina Cayabyab and Anna Achacoso) a trio with wicked harmonies clearly influenced by jazz groups of the 50’s and 60’s. Watching the show sent me back through memory lane many years ago during the time when Ryan Ryan Musikahan was still shown on television. Muchikahan feels like Musikahan with its nice blend of casual talk and intimate music performances. The addition of Jay Durias was a welcome element since it was nice seeing him interact with Ryan Cayabyab and also deliver a pun or two. I told Mr. C after the show that it would be very interesting how he and Jay would handle succeeding guests especially if it is someone from a different genre.

Speaking of genres, there are other programs that caters to specific genres like hip-hop/ RnB and rock but all music genres are welcome in Radio Republic as long as they are Filipino music. I am very curious if Filipino orchestral music will be featured in the future knowing that Ryan Cayabyab will be premiering an orchestral work early next year. It is indeed an exciting time for OPM with lots of new and veteran recording artists releasing more original material and record labels having more faith in them. And now, there’s a new online channel that provides an outlet for the music. People say that OPM is dead, but with Radio Republic around, OPM is not only alive, it’s also having a revolution.

Here is the schedule of the original programs of Radio Republic. There are replays of the shows during the week as well.

Mondays at 9:00 PM

Java Jam with Dylan Vizcarra

A live jam show which serves as a venue for brewing some of the most exciting and unexpected blend of sounds.

Tuesdays at 9:00 PM

Muchikahan with Ryan Cayabyab and Jay Durias

A lighthearted blend of music, talk and everything in between hosted by master musicians Ryan Cayabyab and Jay Durias. Watch them jam with some of the best names in OPM today.

Tuesdays at 11:00 PM

The Swag with Joy Hendrickson

Delivers the freshest list of the must-sees and must-knows in the hip-hop and RnB arena.

Wednesdays at 9:00 PM

Rock Bato with Wolfgang frontman Basti Artadi

The most definitive and authoritative show on Pinoy rock. If it's on the show, it's got to rock.

Thursdays at 9:00 PM

Live at 2299

It's your front row ticket to the best live acts in the nation. See your favorite artists in all their live glory for an all out, no holds barred live performance.