A record-breaking 3,000 song entries, not just from the Philippines but Filipinos based in other parts of the world including the United Kingdom, France, Canada and neighboring Asian countries such as Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong, beat the deadline to submit their entries for the first ever Philippine Popular Music Festival’s (PhilPOP) search for the next big Filipino songwriter.PhilPOP is composed of respected local artists and prominent personalities from various industries brought together by a shared vision--to spark renewed pride and enthusiasm in OPM and bring about another golden age in Philippine music.
At a press conference held recently, PhilPOP announced the 14 finalists:
• “Bigtime” by Trina Belamide
• “Negastar” by Mike Villegas
• “Takusa” by Byron Ricamara
• “Tayo Tayo Lang” by Ronaldo Sorioso
• “Piso” by Kristofferson Melecio
• “Kontrabida” by Soc Villanueva
• “3AM” by Keiko Necesario
• “Brown” by James Leyte and Jezreel De Oca
• “Slowdancing” by John Kennard Eleazar Faraon
• “Dulo ng Dila” by Noah Zuñiga Cabalquinto
• “Bawat Hakbang” by Karl Vincent Villuga
• “Minsa'y Isang Bansa” by Gary Granada
• “Himig ng Panahon” by Timothy Alfaro
• “Kesa” by Edwin Marollano.
On July 14, 2012, these top 14 will showcase their compositions through the final performance and competition to be held at the Plenary Hall of the Philippine International Convention Center.
Music maestro and PhilPOP executive director Ryan Cayabyab said, “We want to thank all our kababayans who shared their compositions with us. The mere fact that we received this overwhelming response for the very first Philippine Popular Music Festival is a victory not only for Original Pilipino Music but more so, for the Filipino people.”
Cayabyab, whose music career, starting out as an amateur songwriter, was propelled by a songwriting competition, added, “This is an exciting time for the local music industry. With PhilPOP, we are helping shape the future landscape of OPM. The talent and the potential of the Filipino songwriter have always been there. We have proven it many times over. Now, the next step is to shine the spotlight on the best of the best.”
The country has indeed profited from other renowned songwriters whose significant compositions were borne out of songwriting competitions, including Jose Mari Chan (“Can we Just Stop and Talk Awhile”, which incidentally was also entered in the World Popular Music Festival in Tokyo; “Hahanapin Ko”, “Minsan Pa”) Nonong Pedero (“Narito Ako”, “Isang Mundo, Isang Awit”), George Canseco (“Ako ang Nasawi, Ako ang Nagwagi”), Louie Ocampo (“Ewan”), Snaffu Rigor (“Bulag, Pipi at Bingi”) and Freddie Aguilar whose seminal hit “Anak” went on to become one of the country’s most popular and well-loved songs.
The top winning entry will receive P1 million in cash and two runners-up will each receive P500,000 and P250,000 respectively. A People’s Choice award will also be given to the most popular entry as decided by text votes.
The Philippine Popular Music Festival is jointly presented by Maynilad, Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company and Smart. Major sponsors are Meralco, Resorts World Manila and TV5. Other sponsors are Metro Pacific Investments Corporation, Sun Cellular, First Pacific Leadership Academy, Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation and Philex Mining Corporation. Media partners are KBP, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Philippine Star and Radio High.
For updates on the results, visit PhilPOP.com.ph.
