ABS-CBN’s newest singing competition for 100% non-Filipinos who love OPM music, “I Love OPM,” prove to be a hit among viewers since it premiered two weeks ago with its consistently high national ratings and regular top Twitter trends.
On its pilot week telecast, “I Love OPM,” hosted by Anne Curtis with Eric Nicolas, hit a national TV rating of 24.8% last February 13 and 20% last February 14 versus rivals which scored 11.1% and 6.1% respectively, according to data from Kantar Media.
An original concept by ABS-CBN, “I Love OPM” aims to find the best non-Filipino singer who can sing OPM and at the same time promote Filipino music to its viewers.
So far, judges or “Himigration Officers” composed of Philippines’ Concert King Martin Nievera, Asia’s Nightingale Lani Misalucha, and Ultimate Multimedia Star Toni Gonzaga gave their approval to 12 Touristars to move on to the next round of the competition.
Some of them have been to the Philippines before just like American Sumner Mahaffeey and Australian Naisa Lasalosi, who are both missionaries, and Indian exchange-student Addy Raj.
Pakistani model Harris Dio Smith and American tourist-turned-businessman Jerome Mccuin found their niche in the Philippines after Filipino friends invited to visit the Philippines.
Russian Anna Rabtsun and American Daniel Herrington, meanwhile, found the love of their lives in the Philippines.
There are also some who just simply love Pinoy music namely American heartthrob Ryan Gallagher, German-Irish teenager Jeena Dimaandal, and Singaporean wedding singer Fathin Amira.
Rounding up the first twelve are two groups, Korean rock band J Morning and interracial singing trio, DBD composed of Korean Dae Lee, Nigerian Bobby Skyz and Australian Dwaine Mooley.
Who will join them in the next round? Who among the Touristars this coming weeks will get a seal of approval from the Himigration Officers? What OPM hits will be showcased next? Which country will be able to produce the foreigner whom can sing OPM the best?
Don’t miss “I Love OPM” every Saturday right after “MMK,” and every Sunday after “Rated K” on ABS-CBN.