Nasusunog ang Maynila, Radioactive Sago Project

Off the album Tanginamo Andaming Nagugutom sa Mundo Fashionista Ka Pa Rin, released in 2007. This song paints one of the bleakest but romantic pictures of Manila, from its trashed streets to its thrashed people. Listen to the bassline that stalks like a determined crook, the hornsection that blows by like angry but impotent nightwatchmen.

Wala Nang Tao sa Santa Filomena, Joey Ayala

Another folk song, and arguably the most ghostly and compelling tunes about the militarization of rural areas. Composed by Ayala, this song was originally recorded by the music collective Patagtag. Ayala later recorded his own version, which was included in his debut album. Inspired by scorched earth anti-insurgency policy, this song is told from the point of view of a bird observing a village emptied of its residents by an occupying force; chillingly, a local one.

Armageddon, Kampon ng Kadiliman

A legend among metalheads, Armageddon are said to have formed sometime in 1973, way before the influx into the Philippines of metal acts from Europe and North America. They have one album to their name, Mapulang Dagat, which contains songs with titles such as Sungay Niya Sungay Ko Rin and Langit Sa Ilalim Ng Lupa. Word has it that the vocalist’s birth was considered by his town mates as a bad omen, coinciding as it did with the blinding of the parish priest, who then banished the family to the far-flung city.

Granada, Yoyoy Villame

In terms of content, this is a song about everything that stands to kill you in a country like ours. As for form, Granada is a novelty song. Then consider its milieus, both the one that birthed it, and the one that sustains it as an ongoing videoke favorite. Now go try to get some sleep.

Got any more scary OPMs to add to this list? Share them with us below!

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