Over a year and a half has passed, and no industry has been left unscathed, including Original Pilipino Music. With Metro Manila still under Covid-19 Alert Level 2 status, social events such as concerts, parties and gigs — considered the bread and butter of many OPM artists — remain prohibited. Compared to other countries where artists have started touring, it seems that it is still a far-fetched idea for live and crowded performances to resume, much less for international artists to come in as they often did before.

While a good number of OPM artists and producers thrived at this time [read, 'To sing and thrive, no matter what,' also in this issue] by 'home-recorded' releasing singles, shooting music videos under strict health protocols, and innovating via online concerts, there are some who still struggle and forced to find other sources of income other than music.