- The Philippine Popular Music Festival (Philpop) is the Philippine’s premier songwriting competition, first established in 2012.
- This year’s competition is themed “Music, powered by Pinoys” – aiming to defy expectations by championing homegrown talents from different backgrounds and music genres.
- The foundation is headed by the chairman Manny V. Pangilinan, along with Festival Chairman Ryan Cayabyab.
Music is indeed ‘powered by Pinoys.’
Being a singing country, the Philippines is no doubt a vocal powerhouse. Already home for prime vocals, this year, the Philpop aims to continue its legacy to strengthen even the country’s music writing industry. Thirty (30) semi-finalists are handpicked by the Festivals’ panel, with “songs representing stories, struggles, ambitions, and dreams of people,” as Festival Chairman Ryan Cayabyab recounts.
A musical vision
The 30 interpreters were showcased during the Philpop Reveal and Listening Party last September 12. During the program, Festival Chairman and Philpop Board Member Mr. Ryan Cayabyab exacted the significance of regional inclusivity – much more ‘giving voice’ to underestimated artists whose compositions have so much promise and potential. Notably, over the years, Philpop has grown from merely being a competition to become an avenue to unite the music industry, build and strengthen relationships among competitors and coaches alike.
Taking pride in its advocacy to provide a sustainable platform for Filipino music acts to develop their skills through a world-class mentorship program, Philpop envisions to provide a long-term aid to harness the potentials of Filipino songwriters and artists.
Here is a complete list of the interpreters of the top 30 semi-finalists:
- Davey Langit and the band for Kenneth John Pores’ “AEIOU”
- Feel Day and Hans Dimayuga for Jeriko Buenafe’s “Ako, Ako”
- Wincet Jacot and Medyo Maldito for Eamarie Gilayo and Jovit Leonerio’s “Away Wa’y Buwagay”
- Michael Llave for his own song “Bumbero”
- Ferdinand Aragon for his own composition “Di Ko Man”
- RJ dela Fuente for Mark Jay Felipe’s “Ikaw Ang Aking Pag-ibig”
- Jex de Castro for Carlo Angelo David’s “Isang Gabing Pag-ibig”
- Acapellago for Philip Arvin Jarilla’s “Kariton”
- Ataska and Nash for Sarah Bulahan’s “Kelan Kaya”
- Carlyn Ocampo and Joshua Feliciano for Karlo Zabala’s “kilabI”
- Leanne and Naara for Jeremy Sarmiento’s “Korde Kodigo”
- Cacai Bautista for Elmar Bolaño and Donel Transporto’s “Laon Ako”
- Russ Cabico for his own entry “LDR (Layong Di Ramdam)”
- Kyle Pulido for his own material “LGBT (Laging Ganito Ba Tayo?)”
- Bayang Barrios and Niliyagan for Agatha Marallos and Melvin Joseph Morallos’ “Lilipad”
- BennyBunnyBand for Edgardo Miraflor Jr.’s “Loco De Amor!”
- Carlo Angelo David for his own track “Makisabay”
- Caleb Santos for Paul Hildawa’s “Mahirap Magselos”
- Nitro for Marvin Blue Corpus’ “Malilimutan Din Kita”
- Jeric Medina for Oliver Narag’s “MMRA”
- Chud Festejo for his own composition “Nanay Tatay”
- Thyro Alfaro for Aikee Aplacador’s “Oka”
- Jem Cubil for Barry Villacarillo’s “Perfectly Imperfect Human”
- Julian Trono for Sean Gabriel Cedro and John Ray Reodique’s “Pilipit”
- Yumi Lacsamana for Aikee Aplacador’s “Promise Sorry Note”
- The Juans for Agatha Morallos and Melvin Morallos’ “Pwede”
- Katrina Velarde for Michael Rodriguez and Jeanne Columbine Rodriguez’s “Tama Na”
- Therese Villarante for Therese Marie Villarante and Henrick James Pestaño’s “Unang Adlaw nga Wala Ka”
- Ignacio Dennis Roxas for his own song “Utang”
- Eunice Jorge of Gracenote for Donnalyn Onilongo’s “Yun Tayo (Formerly Taken)”
From the shortlisted Top 30 semi-finalists, only ten will be chosen for the final round. The top 10 will be revealed via PhilPop’s social media pages and website on October 22, 2018.
The finalist are set to showcase their original composition as interpreted by the chosen music acts on November 30 in the PhilPop Festival Finals Night that will be held at Capitol Commons in Pasig City.
This year’s PhilPop is backed by Mid Atlantic Foundation for Asian Artists, Inc. (MAFFAA, Inc.), NYXSYS Philippines, Maynilad, Meralco, Smart, Viva Records, Ortigas and Co., Coke Studio, NCAA, OPM, Gabi Na Naman Productions, and PETA. Viva Records, for its part, supervised the official recording of the songs which will be available on platforms such as Youtube and Spotify on September 17 at 12 noon.
