MUSIC IN YOUR BUSINESS (Echoing FILSCAP’s Appeal to Cebu Music Users) ~ THE CAT SINGS

You know that an endeavor is a success when at the end of it you say to yourself “so this is how it feels when the stars align.”

The day was October 28, 2011. FILSCAP or The Filipino Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, Inc. finally stepped into our shores to announce that they will commence their licensing operations in Metro Cebu in January 2012. The announcement happened in a forum dubbed Music in Your Business that was held at the Marriott Hotel.

from left Ang Kwee Tiang, Noel Cabangon, Debbie Gaite, Atty Ray Ortiguera

And because Artist Ko or Artists & Musicians Marketing Cooperative (the organization I Co-founded) was commissioned by FILSCAP to organize the event, I was there supervising a 6-man crew to run it. A huge responsibility and a great honor!

FILSCAP, DTI & ARTIST KO!

With the efforts of DTI or the Department of Trade and Industry, the Forum was very well attended by key people of the Metro Cebu business sector. It was indeed very important that they attend the Forum because FILSCAP’s future operations will generally involve the business owners since they use music in their establishments as part of their daily operations.

Atty. Ray Ortiguerra Intellectual Property &; Copyright Lawyer

Gary Granada, Songwriter & FILSCAP Trustee

Trina Bilamide, Songwriter, FILSCAP Trustee

The big message was COPYRIGHT, a subject that is still relatively new for Cebu. But through the carefully laid-out presentation of the expert Speakers, the message was effectively sent across. It was clear. It’s about time that music users in Cebu, particularly the business owners, recognize that playing copyrighted music to the public is tantamount to “using another’s (intellectual) property”. And that the copyright owners should be properly compensated for the exploitation of such a powerful tool.

MUSIC IS OUR BUSINESS

Another forum took place during the evening of the same day. This time around, it was attended by our local composers and songwriters - - a meet and greet opportunity with the FILSCAP Board of Trustees and staff. Topics on membership, membership benefits & opportunities were discussed as well as other issues relating to copyright and intellectual property.

Noel Cabangon, Trina Bilamide & Gary Granada

It was a great discussion and I think a lot of minds opened that night. Everyone was encouraged as well to start the process of their application to be FILSCAP members. And the common thought between Artist Ko Chairman Ian Zafra and myself was that we will support and assist FILSCAP in their expansion efforts in Cebu. We both know that it is for the greater good.

Gary G and Noel Cabangon

The night ended with some drinks and music. And somehow I managed to pull a trick to get FILSCAP Trustee Gary Granada and FILSCAP President Noel Cabangon to go on-stage. All I did was grab a guitar and played first so everyone would follow. And they did.

Yes, the stars aligned themselves pretty well.

It was a great day and a great night – and I had a real good reason to celebrate and get drunk. And in that intoxicated state, I thought I heard the universe say, “you did well today, baby…”