MANILA, Philippines (February 19, 2013) – As part of the 60-year celebration of Filipino television, ABS-CBN and Star Records, in partnership with The Filipino Channel (TFC), have re-launched the Philippines’ biggest multimedia songwriting competition, Himig Handog. Themed Pinoy Pop (P-Pop) Love Songs: Mga Awit at Kwento ng Pusong Pilipino, the competition hopes to revive the love for Original Pinoy Music (OPM) among Filipinos around the world. To support this cause, TFC offers overseas Filipinos a chance to vote for their TFC People’s Choice through its official online platform, TFC.tv.
On its 5th year, Himig Handog received thousands of original compositions from Pinoy songwriters worldwide. From the entries, 12 songs were chosen as Himig Handog P-Pop Love Songs finalists. While some were interpreted by the composers themselves, most of the finalists were matched with the biggest names in Philippine entertainment industry to interpret the compositions. Then, students from the country’s most prestigious universities were assigned to produce the official music videos. Watch the official music videos of the 12 finalists on TFC.tv (http://tfc.tv/himighandog).
Aside from the grand prize, Himig Handog will be giving away special awards where fans themselves have the power to choose the winners. For the first time, overseas Filipinos now have their own category. Aptly named the TFC’s People’s Choice, the award will be given to the music video that has gathered the most love on TFC.tv (http://tfc.tv/himighandog). They can make their vote count by clicking love for their favorite Himig Handog music video on or before February 22 at 8 p.m. Pacific Time; February 23 at 5 a.m. Milan time; 7 a.m. Riyadh time; 1 p.m. Tokyo time; and 3 p.m. Sydney time. Winners will be announced during the Himig Handog P-Pop Love Songs grand finals on February 24 (Manila Time) to be streamed live TFC.tv (http://tfc.tv/livespecials) from the Mall Of Asia Arena in Pasay City in the Philippines.
The 12 Himig Handog P-Pop Love Song finalists include Alaala by Ma. Fe Mechenette Tianga, Melvin Huwervana, and Joel Jabot Jr. from Iloilo; Ano’ng Nangyari Sa Ating Dalawa by Jovinor Tan from Malabon; If You Ever Change Your Mind by Marion Aunor from Makati; Hanggang Wakas by Soc Villanueva from Australia; Kahit Na by Julius James de Belen from Quezon City; Nasa Iyo Na Ang Lahat by Jungee Marcelo from Pasig City; One Day by Agatha Obar Morallos from Baguio City; Pwede Bang Ako Na Lang Ulit by Jeffrey Cifra from Cavite; Sana’y Magbalik by Arman Alferez from Caloocan; Scared To Death by Domingo Rosco Jr. from Bohol; Tamang Panahon by Wynn Andrada from Makati; and This Song Is For You by Jude Gitamondoc from Cebu City.
The interpreters of the 12 finalists include Angeline Quinto for One Day, Aiza Seguerra for Anong Nangyari Sa Ating Dalawa, Erik Santos for This Song’s For You, Yeng Constantino for Alaala, Juris for Hanggang Wakas, Toni Gonzaga for Kahit Na, Bugoy Drilon for Pwede Bang Ako Na Lang Ulit, Jovit Baldivino for Sana’y Magbalik, KZ Tandingan for Scared To Death, and Daniel Padilla for the song Nasa Iyo Na Ang Lahat. The two young songwriter-finalists who interpreted their own compositions are Marion for her song If You Ever Change Your Mind and Wynn for his song, Tamang Panahon.
Producing the official music videos of the 12 finalists are students from University of The Philippines, Ateneo de Manila University, De La Salle University, University of Santo Tomas, Polytechnic University of The Philippines, San Beda College, Far Eastern University, University Of The East – Caloocan, MINT College, Philippine Christian University, Adamson University, and Technological Institute of The Philippines.
Watch and vote for your favorite Himig Handog P-Pop Love Songs on TFC.tv
