Gary Valenciano is still unsure if he will be chosen as the next president of OPM

During his contract signing for ASAP XV, Gary Valenciano shared that the Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mang-aawit (OPM), a recognized committee representing local singers and performers, had recently held an election for its Board of Directors. Gary now sits on the OPM board with fellow artists Ogie Alcasid, Dingdong Avanzado, Noel Cabangon, Christian Bautista, and Jose Mari Chan. “I'm excited, I'm very honored. Hindi ko pa alam kung ano ang posisyon ko. I don't know where I would be effective,” said Gary.

When asked if he is being eyed by the board of directors to serve as the next president of OPM, Gary explained that he has yet to sit down with the other directors for a formal election. For now what he deems more important is to think about the plans of OPM for the industry. “Before the nominations took place there was a rundown, almost like bullet points, as to what OPM has done from the day that it was established. And it's sad na many of the things we continue to fight for have not really progressed at a level that can really change. For example, the rights of the artists, not all artists know about their rights.”

Gary has been with OPM since 1986 and now he feels that he is in the position to help out other artists who are just starting in the business. “Malaki ang paniniwala namin na may magagawa kami. We have our plans at least for the next two years. At sana makuha rin namin yung cooperation ng government, ng media, both radio and television, to really establish what OPM was meant to be.”

The music icon further commended his good friend Ogie for his efforts to reach out to other artists and help with their plight. “Ogie has really been showing all the effort. And he has not backed out when people need him to be there. He’s a solo artist pero he's the one asking to meet yung mga banda. Grabe raw yung nalaman niya na hindi alam ng mga ito ang karapatan nila sa industriya. We have a lot to do. And I hope that kung anuman ang nagawa namin for the next two years, will only open [the opportunity] for things to come."

Gary and Ogie, together with other artists, are set to collaborate for a song dedicated for the inauguration of President-elect Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III this June 30. Gary said that he is just waiting for Ogie to finish composing the song which he and the other artists will sing. Mr. Pure Energy expressed his happiness about the chance that almost all musicians will get together for a momentous event in history. “We are all part of this country, we will be under one president. We have our own things to do, but the fact that everyone decided to make time to be together for the momentous event is just great. That says a lot about what kind of artists we are. If it’s good for the Filipinos, for the country, then it doesn’t matter kung saang network ka pa galing.”