OPM icon Ogie Alcasid shared his journey through music, comedy, business, and fatherhood during his candid guesting on Beyond the Exchange with Rico Hizon.
From his beginnings with the La Salle Green Hills group Kundirana, Ogie followed a lifelong dream. “There was this burning desire in my gut that I have to sing, I have to perform,” he said. His first TV appearance was on ABS-CBN’s Together with Martin Nievera and Pops Fernandez.
Marking 36 years in the entertainment industry, he reflected on milestones like his 15th-anniversary concert at the Araneta Coliseum, countless awards, and “the continuous support of the fans and, of course, the networks… especially ABS-CBN.”
On songwriting, he said, “We tell our own stories. We tell other people’s stories… It’s a blessing to be able to do that.” His favorites include Kailangan Kita, Ikaw Lamang, and Pangarap Kong Ibigin Ka. A new song collaboration with Beanie, titled Sige Galaw Galaw, is set for release in early 2025.
He credits his wife Regine Velasquez as his greatest muse. “They always say when you write a song, you have to have a muse, and she is my muse.”
Ogie also discussed his natural shift into comedy with shows like Bubble Gang and Tropang Trumpo, which shaped his music with character-driven creativity.
As president of the Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mang-aawit (OPM) since 2009, Ogie said, “Something inside me wanted to do something more.” He added with a laugh, “It’s not because I am selfish or anything, but because no one wants to do it.”
He also revealed his passion for concert production, including the sold-out Martin Nievera concert at the Araneta Coliseum. “Anything that you start with good intentions, I think will always be blessed.”
On balancing performing and producing, he admitted, “It really is a huge headache. But… when you see the artist so happy and you see the audience so happy, that’s irreplaceable.”
Ogie’s entrepreneurial spirit led him to co-found Green Foods, a tuyo and sardines business. He shared that the products are now sold in local groceries, Lazada, and Shopee, and have been exported to Japan and the Middle East, with U.S. and Canada distribution in the works.
He keeps his priorities clear. “God, family, and work,” he shared. “I stopped doing movies and teleseryes so I can have the energy left when I come home.”
WATCH Ogie Alcasid talk about being an entrepreneur in this clip:
To aspiring entrepreneurs, he advised building relationships with banks. “You will never grow as a business if you don’t have a partner such as a bank.”
When asked about his greatest achievement, Ogie answered, “Being a dad and a husband… those are the irreplaceable roles that I have.”
Despite his success, Ogie stays grounded. “Every gift that you have… is not from you, but from someone else. And we all know that’s from God.”
At the end of the interview, when asked who Ogie Alcasid is, he replied, “I am a friend, my brother, a husband, and a dad… and a somewhat musician.”
Watch the full interview to get inspired by Ogie Alcasid’s journey through faith, family, and Filipino music.
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