Filipino band Mayonnaise combines electro elements with a youthful rock vibe.

Philippine Senator Grace Poe, a leading independent presidential candidate, is stumping on a platform that includes intellectual property reform designed to strengthen the local movie and music industries, bringing them up to par with other Asian territories.

Piracy has been rampant in the Philippines since the 1990s and through the aughts. A study showed a 75% revenue decline in the 11-year period ending in 2010. While Asia has been susceptible to piracy overall, other Asian territories are showing growth or growth potential. Poe, who has family ties to show business, is promising aggressive prosecution of piracy syndicates if she wins the election in May 2016.

Poe said she intends to strengthen the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) and the Optical Media Board (OMB)  so they can function more effectively, and enhance the creative industries’ contribution to the economy.

The Philippines has always had a vibrant indigenous music culture, supported by the major labels, who export there as well. Culture critic Katrina Stuart Santiago cites a 21st century trend toward imported music and the shift to the Internet-delivered music over radio and TV challenges faced by the local industry. At the same time, Filipino music has its fans throughout the world. Buzzfeed recently did a piece on The 20 Filipino Music Artists You Need To Listen To Right Now, with Mayonnaise topping the list.