FILSCAP exec stresses human emotion, vulnerability keep OPM alive amid rise of AI-generated music.
As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes increasingly capable of generating lyrics, melodies, and even full songs, legendary singer-songwriter Jim Paredes believes the future of Original Pilipino Music (OPM) will remain in the hands of creators who draw from genuine human experience.
Speaking at the opening of Songwriter’s Night Select 2026 at the Music Museum on Friday, the FILSCAP trustee and chairman of its Socio-Cultural Committee stressed that while technology continues to evolve, authentic storytelling remains at the core of great songwriting.
Held as part of Linggo ng Musikang Pilipino, the event features 15 emerging songwriters from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. It gives them a platform to perform original compositions before music industry executives, record labels, and OPM supporters.
Paredes shared that many of the featured artists were first discovered through FILSCAP’s open mic sessions, where their songs had never been professionally recorded.
“Yes, never been recorded. It was only sung in a music video. Minsan hindi pa maganda ang sound, but you see the potential. So we got them, we chose 15, and they’re performing tonight, not with their lousy guitars, but with a full band, an arranger, even backup singers.”
“We invite record labels. We do this for Linggo ng Musikang Pilipino, and it seems to have gained its own traction.”
While acknowledging AI’s growing influence in music, Paredes noted that the technology is now being closely monitored worldwide, particularly on issues involving copyright and royalties.
“The rules on AI are just being written all over the world, and it’s not good for AI,” he said.
“There are rules ngayon. Like on YouTube, it will say if something is AI, and you cannot get royalties. AI can take on the APO catalog, sing it, and do things with it, but they don’t get wealthy. I got wealthy because I owned the songs.”
For the veteran composer, songwriting goes beyond producing polished music. He believes audiences continue to connect with songs because they reflect the emotions, imperfections, and lived experiences of their creators.
“No… I don’t think I will ever want to use AI for APO’s music. Because the very idea is you create and you perform. ‘Yong performance, may vulnerability ‘yan, may charm. Kapag masyadong perfect, parang magdududa ka.”
As AI-generated music becomes more accessible, Paredes remains optimistic that Filipino songwriters will continue to thrive by telling stories rooted in their own lives—something he believes technology cannot genuinely replicate.
Through Songwriter’s Night Select 2026, #FILSCAP continues to champion original songwriting while nurturing a new generation of composers and lyricists who carry forward the tradition of authentic Filipino music.
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