On March 25, Original Pilipino Music singer Rey Valera recounted how Mega Star Sharon Cuneta changed the music industry by acknowledging composers and songwriters.
At the media conference for ‘Kahit Maputi na Ang Buhok Ko: The Music of Rey Valera,’ which LionhearTV covered, Valera first highlighted Cuneta’s initiative to credit those artists that helped her.
He narrated, “Ang talagang gumawa ng gawak, ng impact, or nagkaroon ng ano ay ‘yung ‘Mr. DJ’ ni Sharon Cuneta. Kasi although hindi naman ako ‘yung kumanta noon, pero dahil si Sharon Cuneta kasi ay– sinasabi ko nga sa inyo, ibang klaseng singer ‘yan eh. Bata pa lang ‘yan tumatanaw na ng utang na loob.
Valera added, “Siguro political ‘yung kaniyang magulang, kapag kumakanta ‘yan sa ano, sa television, ang unang bukambibig niya bago siya ma-interview, babatiin niya agad ‘yung composer niyan.”
He then recounted how composers and songwriters got overlooked before Cuneta’s time.
Valera stated that composers were not previously given due credit; no one knows who composed each song sung by famous celebrities such as Nora Aunor and Vilma Santos.
He furthered, “Pero kapag dumating si Sharon Cuneta, nagkaroon ng mukha ang composer, nagkaroon ng idea ang mga Filipino na mayroon palang gumagawa ng kanta, akala ko basta kanta lang sila ganon.”
He recalled Cuneta introducing composers and songwriters to the Philippine music scene. He stated that during Cuneta’s time, the music industry highlighted and publicized composers’ and songwriters’ significance.
Valera also noted how different it is now for songwriters to earn a living through their art. He concluded, “Maswerte ako ngayon may YouTube, kapag may nag-play ng kanta ko doon, nagkaraoke siya, kumikita ako kahit paano doon. Mayroon kaming PHILSCAP, mayroon kaming mga association ng songwriters na nagkokolekta for us.”
As for the upcoming film depicting Valera’s life, ‘Kahit Maputi na Ang Buhok Ko: The Music of Rey Valera’ stars RK Bagatsing. The film features Gelli de Belen, Christopher de Leon, Rosanna Roces, Lotlot de Leon, Rico Barrera, Josh de Guzman, Jenine Desiderio, Meg Imperial, Ronnie Lazaro, and Gian Magdangal.
The powerhouse cast includes Carlo Mendoza, Ara Mina, Arlene Muhlach, Pekto Nacua, Eric Nicolas, Dennis Padilla, Epy Quizon, Biboy Ramirez, Arman Reyes, Ariel Rivera, Lloyd Samartino, Shira Tweg, Lou Veloso.
‘Kahit Maputi na Ang Buhok Ko: The Music of Rey Valera,’ produced by Saranggola Media and under the direction of Joven Tan, opens in cinemas on April 8, during the Metro Manila Summer Film Festival.
