By Adrian Arcega
Face it: downloading music has become a fact of life. It doesn't matter whether a song (maybe even a whole album) was acquired legally or otherwise (but, there's a high chance it was the latter).
Sure, Apple's iTunes has done a lot to make music accessible, legally. But in the Philippines, it's a different story: people have access to the technology but the income-generating financial infrastructure for artists and record labels is sorely lacking.
It is this need that the new service MyMusicStore.com.ph aims to fill.
160,000 songs in catalogue
You can purchase songs from the site's 160,000-plus catalogue for between P20-35 using your credit card or through PayPal. Payment via mobile phones is also available, initially through SMART, as negotiations with Globe and Sun Cellular are underway.
“We aim to be the first service of its kind, to come up with new music releases quickly so users can purchase the songs right away,” says CEO Eliza Tan of MobileCash, Inc., which runs the service along with Rising Tide Mobile Entertainment Inc.
The major labels have thrown their full support behind MyMusicStore, judging from the presence of their head honchos in the online store's launch on Jan. 18 at Robot Restaurant and Lounge in Makati.
Declining CD sales, new avenues for income
Representatives from Sony BMG, PolyEast Records, MCA Music, Universal, Warner Music, Alpha Records, EMI, Ivory Music, and House of Praise toasted to what could possibly be the Pinoy's destination for legal online downloads.
“This service is so important for us because our CD sales have been declining year after year,” MCA president Ricky Ilacad admits to Yahoo! Philippines Y! Rocks.
“We're looking for other avenues for income, although we are still in the game of selling physical CDs.” He confided that MCA was one of MyMusicStore's earliest supporters.
‘Help the industry,’ appealed Ricketts
Also in the event was Optical Media Board head honcho Ronnie Ricketts, who has also thrown his support behind the service.
“This is going to make it easier for the music industry, so they can make money right away at hindi na sila pinipirata,” says Ricketts. “This is one way of telling people, 'Hey let's help the industry.' And with this service, you don't have to go elsewhere to download illegally.
“Plus you pay only a minimal amount of money. Jackpot na yun!”
MyMusicStore's masthead indicates that the site is on its beta stage, but the service itself is already open to the public.
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Face it: downloading music has become a fact of life. It doesn't matter whether a song (maybe even a whole album) was acquired legally or otherwise (but, there's a high chance it was the latter).
Sure, Apple's iTunes has done a lot to make music accessible, legally. But in the Philippines, it's a different story: people have access to the technology but the income-generating financial infrastructure for artists and record labels is sorely lacking.
It is this need that the new service MyMusicStore.com.ph aims to fill.
160,000 songs in catalogue
You can purchase songs from the site's 160,000-plus catalogue for between P20-35 using your credit card or through PayPal. Payment via mobile phones is also available, initially through SMART, as negotiations with Globe and Sun Cellular are underway.
“We aim to be the first service of its kind, to come up with new music releases quickly so users can purchase the songs right away,” says CEO Eliza Tan of MobileCash, Inc., which runs the service along with Rising Tide Mobile Entertainment Inc.
The major labels have thrown their full support behind MyMusicStore, judging from the presence of their head honchos in the online store's launch on Jan. 18 at Robot Restaurant and Lounge in Makati.
Declining CD sales, new avenues for income
Representatives from Sony BMG, PolyEast Records, MCA Music, Universal, Warner Music, Alpha Records, EMI, Ivory Music, and House of Praise toasted to what could possibly be the Pinoy's destination for legal online downloads.
“This service is so important for us because our CD sales have been declining year after year,” MCA president Ricky Ilacad admits to Yahoo! Philippines Y! Rocks.
“We're looking for other avenues for income, although we are still in the game of selling physical CDs.” He confided that MCA was one of MyMusicStore's earliest supporters.
‘Help the industry,’ appealed Ricketts
Also in the event was Optical Media Board head honcho Ronnie Ricketts, who has also thrown his support behind the service.
“This is going to make it easier for the music industry, so they can make money right away at hindi na sila pinipirata,” says Ricketts. “This is one way of telling people, 'Hey let's help the industry.' And with this service, you don't have to go elsewhere to download illegally.
“Plus you pay only a minimal amount of money. Jackpot na yun!”
MyMusicStore's masthead indicates that the site is on its beta stage, but the service itself is already open to the public.
