There’s that old saying among music buffs during the heydays of Manila Sound and the birth of OPM that no one can sing a ballad like Basil Valdez.

And it’s quite true, even a long four decades after he first walked on a stage in a Manila bar strumming an old Simon and Garfunkel cover. While there was that strong ensemble in his early years with the Circus Band in the mid70s, Basil still stood out. And his impressive, exceptional voice was what the prolific and awardwinning composer George Canseco heard.

Canseco had penned a love song for weddings he said and thought Basil was perfect for it. Basil, of course, agreed to sing it, and the rest was history.

“Ngayon at Kailanman” waxed off the Blackgold Records label under Vic del Rosario, and the song truly defined the success of OPM ever since. And that song from the album of the same title in 1977 began his storied career as a balladeer, as Canseco had more compositions for Basil that he brought to immortality—“Kastilyong Buhangin,” “Ikaw,” and “Hanggang Sa Dulo ng Walang Hanggan.” Budding composers at the time thought he was the best singer to also spark their own journeys in the music business.

The now National Artist Ryan Cayabyab was one, who would tap Basil to sing his immortal tunes—from “Paraisong Parisukat” to “Tuwing Umuulan at Kapiling Ka.” And with the best Filipino songwriters, such as Canseco, Cayabyab, Willy Cruz, Vehnee Saturno, Cecile AzarconPicazo, and Louie Ocampo, among others at his side, Basil was the unstoppable hitmaker through the late 1970s to the mid1980s with songs that truly defined OPM.

From inspirational songs like “Lift Up Your Hands” and “Ngayon” and unforgettable movie theme songs such as “Paano Ba Ang Mangarap” and “Gaano Kadalas Ang Minsan,” to the heartwarming love songs “Sana Ay Ikaw Na Nga,” “You,” and “Say That You Love Me,” Basil indeed blazed the OPM trail and opened the door for other incredible Pinoy balladeers who followed his path.

Basil, while known for his meekness and humility, is one revered OPM icon who has made an indelible mark in OPM, especially with that unmistakable voice that would always touch our hearts deeply. ASAP Pinoy salutes Basil with this tribute video.

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