PhilPop Himig Handog Songwriting Festival announces top 12 finalists for main competition

The two music institutions have recently launched PhilPop Himig Handog Songwriting Festival, an initiative that champions the next wave of recording superstars and industry titans.

PhilPop Himig Handog Songwriting Festival continues its commitment to empowering the future generation of music industry professionals and hitmakers through its sustainable, world-class mentorship program.

The collaborative project, which was produced and presented by songwriting institutions PhilPop and Himig Handog, kicked off with a Digicamp series that is carefully designed to develop the skillset of aspiring participants in the fields of songwriting, music arrangement and recording, branding, marketing, career development, and intellectual property.

AmiananPop champions North Luzon pop music with first edition of its songwriting festival

The movement aims to secure regional music’s place in the contemporary music canon

In an effort to foster a better understanding of the North Luzon culture and identity through contemporary music, AmiananPop Music Inc. is officially launching the maiden edition of its songwriting festival, which will take place online this December 4, 2021.

Taking a page from fellow contemporaries, Visayan Pop Music Festival (Vispop) and Mindanao Popular Music Festival (MinPop), the newly formed institution puts a spotlight on a new breed of composers, interpreters, musicians, and producers representing the Ilocos, Cordillera, and Cagayan region, as well as some non-Tagalog speaking areas in Central Luzon. 

PhilPop 2021 DigiCamp integrates workshop-based approach to this year’s virtual edition

Thyro and Yumi, Marlon Barnuevo and Krina Cayabyab talk about major adjustments to foster a more inclusive learning environment for DigiCamp participants

Despite the challenges of adapting to a virtual setting, PhilPop 2021 DigiCamp: Music Breaking Borders has successfully integrated strategic innovations to its curriculum that would help aspiring singer-songwriters enhance their skillset and be part of a progressive learning experience.

PhilPop 2021 adapts to the new normal with digital songwriting bootcamp

PhilPop returns this year with a digital bootcamp that puts a spotlight on up-and-coming songwriters and composers in the Philippines.

Now ready to implement a more inclusive but intensive approach to mentorship and training, the country’s premier songwriting institution will be holding a 14-week program for aspiring participants to learn and further hone their skills in the field of songwriting, marketing and branding, recording and arrangement, intellectual property rights, music appreciation, and more.

Bilingual pop anthem “Suyo” wins PhilPop 2020 Songwriting Festival

The week-long celebration culminated with podcast documentaries, a series of radio guesting, music video premieres, and the annual finals night.

Noah Alejandre and Reanna Borela’s “Suyo” bagged the top prize of the PhilPop 2020 Songwriting Festival.

Conveying the intricacies of romantic relationships amidst language and cultural differences, “Suyo” bested 14 entries from Metro Manila, North Luzon, South Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao clusters on the PhilPop Finals Night held online last Sunday, December 20, 2020. The winning song also walked away with the grand prize of P1 million, tax free.

The unfettered truth about love: PhilPop releases final batch of songs

PhilPop, the country’s premier songwriting competition, drops the final batch of songs from the South Luzon cluster.

Carefully selected from thousands of submissions, the entries from this particular group reflect the unfettered truths about romantic relationships, disappointments, and heartaches, written based from personal experiences or from the perspective of an outsider looking in.

Smart powers PhilPop 2020’s search for next OPM hits

Mobile services provider Smart Communications, Inc. continues to champion Original Pilipino Music (OPM) by supporting the 2020 PhilPop songwriting tilt. 

Pushing forward amid limitations of a worldwide pandemic, PhilPop Festival Chair Ryan Caybyab shared, “We’ve planned for this year’s festival way back in 2019 when COVID-19 was nowhere in sight. When the pandemic hit us, we had to make a huge pivot in terms of the execution of most ideas, many of which were originally envisioned to happen in the usual, traditional in-person platform.” 

Emotional frailty as source of strength: Get to know PhilPop’s Metro Manila entries

PhilPop, the country’s premier songwriting competition, makes another huge comeback with an exemplary batch of music entries from the National Capital Region.

With a diverse showcase of sounds spanning R&B, contemporary pop and folk-influenced genres, the latest roster offers catchy, radio-friendly fodders that tackle romance, forgiveness, and regret with precision and sensitivity. 

Melancholia as Universal Theme: PhilPop releases third batch of songs

PhilPop takes the competition to an entirely impressive scale with the official release of songs from the North Luzon clusters.

The latest batch balances compelling drama and introspection as it gravitates toward themes of unrequited love, romantic dissolution, and abusive relationships. Produced with professional polish and help from PhilPop, the newest selection includes “Paos,” composed by Angelic Mateo and interpreted by Keiko Necessario; “Balikan,” composed by Lolito Go and interpreted by Benj Manalo and the Collective; and “Agsardeng,” composed by TJ Paeldon and Abby Esteban, and interpreted by Miss Ramone.

PhilPop announces finalists from Visayas and Mindanao clusters

PhilPop, the country's premier songwriting competition, has officially unveiled its top 6 finalists from the Visayas and Mindanao cluster. With #MusicBreakingBorders as its newest tagline, the music institution sets its sights in promoting top-notch Filipino compositions on a scale that’s never been done before: by going global and forging regional ties.

Carefully handpicked from thousands of submissions, the first batch of finalists from PhilPop Songwriting Festival 2020 recently graced the online media presentation last August 24, 2020 (Wednesday).

In no particular order, the finalists from the Vis-Min cluster include: 

Visayas:

• Jerika Teodorico – “Ayaw Na Lang” (Cebu City, Cebu)
• Noah Alejandre and Reanne Borela – “Suyo” (Ormoc City, Leyte)
• Michael Catarina – “Hinungdan” (Cebu City, Cebu)

Mindanao:

• John Cadeliña  – “Akong Bililhon”(Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur)
• Christian Chiu – “Kasadya” (Corandal City, South Cotabato)
• Sherwin Fugoso – “Pahuway” (Jabonga, Agusan del Norte)

According to PhilPop Executive Director Dinah Remolacio, the entries underwent multiple rounds of selection process until Top 3 per clusters were handpicked. “We wanted our process to be inclusive so the decision making involved local and international representatives from Warner Music, representatives from our regional partner for each cluster, and representatives from PhilPop,” Remolacio shares in a statement. 

The selection committee is headed by Festival Chair and PhilPop Musicfest National Artist Ryan Cayabyab, as well as Foundation Board Members, adjudicators, partners, and Warner Music Philippines Executives such as PhilPop Musicfest Foundation President Victorico P. Vargas, Festival Co-Chair and PhilPop Musicfest Foundation Board Member Noel Cabangon, PhilPop Musicfest Foundation Executive Director Dinah A. Remolacio, PhilPop Musicfest Foundation Lead Adjudicators Jungee Marcelo and Trina Belamide, Warner Music Philippines Managing Director Ian Monsod, MinPop Musicfest Director and Mindanao Cluster Partner Jeremy Sarmiento, and Kadasig Founder and Visayas Cluster Partner Jude Gitamondoc.

PhilPop is currently wrapping up its adjudication process for the remaining clusters namely: North Luzon, South Luzon, and Metro Manila. The finalists representing the remaining regions will be announced next month.

In terms of the selection of finalists from the Mindanao Cluster, MinPop Musicfest Director Jeremy Sarmiento takes pride of how the top three finalists took inspiration from various sources, yet their songs sounded truly ‘Mindanaoan’ in terms of cultural context and identity. Sarmiento also cited the importance of regional representation, and how this platform helps in introducing different stories and diverse experiences through music. “There's no better way to achieve that than giving an opportunity to those in the regions to tell their own stories. Representation provides a reflection of each of their languages, ideals, feelings and that's what we ultimately need to understand each other better, the uniqueness of the Filipinos, expressed through songs.”

Kadasig Founder and Visayas Cluster Partner Jude Gitamondoc is also optimistic about their official picks for the Visayas cluster, citing diversity and universal appeal as two of main reasons that make these songs a standout in the competition. “I think the songs chosen to represent the Visayas are a great representation of the region,” says Gitamondoc. “We have an electronic-infused track, another one that's soulful, and another that's folksy. That pretty much shows how varied the musicality is in the Visayas. We are at the center of the country. We are a melting pot of cultures, influences, and ideas.”

PhilPop Songwriting Festival 2020 is an initiative of the PhilPop Music Foundation, chaired by Mr. Manny V. Pangilinan. This year's PhilPop is co-presented by SMART, MERALCO, and MAYNILAD, with official partners, Warner Music Philippines, Kadasig, and MinPop.

PhilPop goes global with #MusicBreakingBorders

PhilPop has always been a reliable and trusted platform in fostering appreciation for quality and original compositions that reflect Filipino culture, experience, and identity. This year, the country’s premier songwriting competition plans to continue its mission of promoting homegrown music on a scale that’s never been done before: by going global and forging regional ties.

With #MusicBreakingBorders as its newest tagline, PhilPop is committed to celebrating and showcasing the diverse appeal of Filipino music through its Songwriting Festival.

PhilPop Bootcamp Preps for Biggest Songwriting Contest in 2020

Mentored by some of the country’s most iconic songwriters and sought after young artists, 26 promising singer-songwriters were able to enhance their musical potential at the latest staging of the PhilPop Bootcamp 2019 that took place from September 24 to 27 at Purok Marcela and Oldwood beach resorts in Lingayen, Pangasinan.

PhilPop Executive Director Dinah Remolacio said that the PhilPop Bootcamp was borne out of the need to give more regional songwriters an opportunity to be part of the country’s premier songwriting competition.

PhilPop 2018 Concludes With A Better Definition of OPM

Creative, expressive, passionate

A young songwriter from Davao, Chud Festejo has a curious opinion for the popular children’s clapping game Nanay, Tatay. Why does the chant make the children sound demanding? Convinced that there is a bigger reality to be addressed, he started writing a song that will then win the hearts of the judges and the crowd of PhilPop 2018.

Nanay Tatay, written and performed by Festejo, was the winning piece that hailed him the Grand Champion among the ten finalists who competed during PhilPop Finals Night 2018 on December 2, 2018 held in Capitol Commons, Pasig City.

“Of course, happy. Kahit na sa 30 songs, andaming magagaling. Ngayon, I still can’t explain how I feel,” Festejo shares, acknowledging the tough competitors he had during the contest run. Festejo won the grand prize of P1 Million Pesos.

PhilPop 2018 Reveals Top 10 Finalists

Touted as the premier songwriting competition in the country, PhilPop continues to provide a

sustainable platform for amateur and professional composers to showcase exceptional songs from various genres and styles.

From "Dati" to "Di Na Muli," the annual music competition has produced some of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed recordings of the last five years, serving as breeding ground to artists who aren't afraid to challenge songwriting tropes and reflect their truth.

The Itchyworms release Di Na Muli official music video

Di Na Muli was written in 2016 by long-time friends Jazz Nicolas and Wally Acolola. They entered the song into the 5th Philippine Popular (PhilPop) Music Festival, performed by The Itchyworms, where it won the grand prize. Now, in 2018, the song has been given new life in the official soundtrack of the hit film Sid & Aya (Not A Love Story) (Viva Films, starring Dingdong Dantes and Anne Curtis, directed by Irene Villamor).

Somewhere in between PhilPop and Sid & Aya, the Itchyworms set out to immortalize the song. The result was a visually stunning and emotional music video, directed by Paolo Abella. Help also came along in the form of the video's co-director Juno Oebanda, longtime friend of the band, and the generous indulgence of none other than the Cultural Center of the Philippines. The link to the CCP is Teddy Hilado (d. 2015), recognized as the father of lighting design in Philippine theater, who is also the uncle of Oebanda

MUSIC LYF: Universal Records produces PhilPop 2014 album

Universal Records first partnered with the Philippine Popular Music Festival (PhilPop) for the production of the festival’s 2013 commemorative album. The partnership proved to be a beautiful one as it yielded hits like Dati (performed by Sam Concepcion, Tippy Dos Santos and Quest), Sayo Na Lang Ako (Karylle), Araw, Ulap, Langit (Christian Bautista), Sana Pinatay Mo Na Lang Ako (Kimpoy Feliciano), Segundo (Yael Yuzon), among others.

This year, PhilPop and Universal Records team-up again in the production of the new commemorative album, which features some of the most respected and promising recording artists in the country.

MUSIC LYF: Johnoy Danao Launches Samu't Sari Under Universal Records

From his maintream debut at PhilPop, Johnoy Danao is now penetrating the mainstream music industry, and I think he deserves more spotlight being a talented singer-composer who loves what he is doing and makes his own style of music. 

Johnoy has also a large following online with rave reviews about his music which should be discovered by the public. Now with the launch of "Samu't Sari", the public can get to know about him and his acoustics.

Johnoy Danao sells the music in first mainstream album

Dubbed as the must-have OPM album of the year, Johnoy Danao’s first mainstream album Samu’t-Sari boasts of songs that tackle love in its different faces. This is Johnoy’s first album under a major record label, and he chose Universal Records to take care of his songs.

Music Buzz 2014: H.E. President Benigno S. Aquino III To Deliver Keynote Addres At Pinoy Music Summit: "Basta Pinoy, Push Mo Yan!"

His Excellency President Benigno S. Aquino III will be the special guest of honor to deliver the keynote speech at the forthcoming PINOY MUSIC SUMMIT 2014: “BASTA PINOY, PUSH MO YAN!” set on Wednesday, March 19, 2014 at the Diosdado Macapagal Hall, Landbank Plaza Bldg. located at 1598 M.H. Del Pilar cor. Dr. J. Quintos Sts., Malate, Manila.

The PINOY MUSIC SUMMIT 2014: “BASTA PINOY, PUSH MO YAN!” is a conference which aims to unite various players in the music industry in making conscious commitments to the development and promotion of original Filipino music.

The convenors of the Pinoy Music summit are led by the Filipino Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, Inc. (FILSCAP), along with the Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mang-aawit (OPM), Philippine Association of Recording Industry (PARI), Assosasyon ng Musikong Pilipino Foundation Inc. (AMP), Music Copyright Administrators of the Philippines (MCAP) and PHILPOP Foundation.

PhilPop 2013 Winners!

The 2013 PhilPop has concluded and we would like to send our congratulations to the PhilPop 2013 winners:

Grand Prize: DATI COMPOSED BY THYRO AND YUMI, INTERPRETED BY SAM CONCEPTION, TIPPY DOS SANTOS FEAT QUEST

First Runner Up: KUNG 'DI MAN COMPOSED BY JOHNOY DANAO, INTERPRETED BY NET DIMACULANGAN

Second Runner Up: PANSAMANTAGAL COMPOSED BY JUNGEE MARCELO INTERPRETED BY SITTI NAVARRO AND JULIANNE TARROJA

Smart People's Choice: KUNG 'DI MAN COMPOSED BY JOHNOY DANAO, INTERPRETED BY NET DIMACULANGAN

Meralco Special Award: SEGUNDO COMPOSED BY PAUL ARMESIN, INTERPRETED BY YAEL YUZON OF SPONGECOLA

MUSIC LYF: PhilPop 2013 Interpreters Revealed

The PhilPop 2013 top 12 song interpreters were revelaed this week and this marks the start of the release of the upcoming album compilation of the biggest songwriting competition in the Philippines. From the 12 finalists, they chosen artists mostly from the Universal Records artists roster who will interpret their songs. This is something different since usually, the songwriter would have the option if they can sing their piece but for PhilPop 2013, they opted to have a seperate interpreter for the entry.

Another news from the competition is the withdrawal of Marion Aunor from the competition. Mr. Ryan Cayabyab told the press that it was a personal desicion not to continue with the contest. Marion was also a finalist at another songwriting competition this year though it is not clear if this is the reason she is backing out.