For veteran singer Nonoy Zuñiga, the soul of Original Pilipino Music should always come from real people—not machines.
During the media conference for his upcoming Beyond Gold: Songs of a Lifetime (The Repeat) concert, the OPM icon spoke about how technology is changing the creative process.
While he appreciates progress, Nonoy said he worries that the rise of artificial intelligence might dull the sincerity that defines Filipino music.
“Maybe the songs we hear today are already made mostly by A.I.—that’s why they all sound the same,” he told Manila Standard Entertainment.
Marking five decades in the industry this year, Nonoy believes that imperfection is what makes music relatable—and that the best songs are born from genuine human stories.
“We have so many good composers, writers, and arrangers. I’m a bit biased, but back in our time, the music that composers made felt very raw and real.”
Having seen every shift from the 1980s balladeer era to today’s digital age, he said artists should adapt without losing their unique voice.
“There are a lot of talented artists today, but sometimes their music all sounds alike,” he said. “Maybe it’s because their styles are too similar. Every artist should try to find their own sound.”
When it comes to reinventing himself as an artist, Nonoy admitted that he once tried to follow trends but quickly realized it wasn’t for him.
“I tried that many years ago—when bands were the trend,” he recalled with a laugh. “I tried to reinvent myself, but it just didn’t work. It didn’t click with me.”
The “Never Ever Say Goodbye” hitmaker added that success in the music business isn’t just about trends or chart-toppers, but about how artists carry themselves over time.
“The more hit songs you have, the longer you last,” he said. “But you also need the right attitude and respect for the people around you. There are many talented ones, but not everyone endures.”
Nonoy’s upcoming concert, happening on Dec. 9 at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, follows the sold-out success of his 50th-anniversary show earlier this year.
The repeat performance will feature Pops Fernandez, Nina, Dulce, Rey Valera, Marco Sison, Lani Misalucha, Isha Ponti, and Andrea Gutierrez.
When asked how he feels that people still want to hear him sing after all these years, Nonoy smiled and said he’s both grateful and driven to keep going.
“I’m proud and still inspired,” he said. “You feel like you have to do more—to give more, to show something new. It feels great when you see that people are still looking for you, still wanting to hear you sing.”
