Rising Filipino artists Tiara Shaye and Fana took home the coveted “Grand Champion” title at the PhilPop Himig Handog Songwriting Festival, held at the New Frontier Theater on Saturday evening.
Their winning entry, “Wag Paglaruan,”captivated the jury with its enduring songwriting appeal and contemporary artistry, standing out among the twelve finalists from the top Philippine songwriting competition. Tiara Shaye composed the award-winning piece, with both herself and Fana delivering a soulful take that further elevated the song’s crossover potential.
The competition also recognized other outstanding compositions. The Cebuano-penned track “Buhi,” composed by Keith John Quito and interpreted by Ferdinand Aragon, secured the first runner-up position, while the emotional ballad “Papahiram,” won second runner-up. Written by Rinz Ruiz and performed by acclaimed singer-songwriters Moira and Johnoy Danao, the song resonated deeply with both judges and audiences.
Other notable winners include “Kurba,” composed by Sunkissed Lola’s Alvin Serito and interpreted by chart-topping pop icon Maki.” The song received Smart People’s Choice Award and MYX Choice Award for Best Music Video. With nearly eight million streams on Spotify, it emerged as the most-streamed track in the competition.
Entries were evaluated based on artistic merit, composition, and originality. Jonathan Manalo, AVP/Creative Director of ABS-CBN Music explains, “The judges also evaluate a song’s uniqueness and its ability to stand out amongst the rest. This is usually seen in how the concept or the story is executed in a song or in the way the song was composed or arranged. Since it is also a pop songwriting contest, we also have to factor in a song’s relatability and appeal to the audience, especially with the younger fans.”
PhilPop Board Member and National Artist Ryan Cayabyab echoed this sentiment, praising the winners for embracing the modern sound of Filipino music and identifying with the younger fans. “We think these PhilPop Himig Handog songs standout not just because of excellent songwriting and composition, but also because of their ability to relate to the stories of the Filipino audience.”
Among this year’s roster of esteemed jury include Noel Cabangon, Jungee Marcelo, Trina Belamide, Nica del Rosario, Bret Jackson, Maribel Hernaez, and Yumi Lacsamana—a formidable team composed of multi-awarded composers, industry professionals, and music media executives.
PhilPop Himig Handog Songwriting Festival marks the first-ever collaboration between two of the country’s most prominent songwriting institutions. The collaborative venture between PhilPop and Himig Handog kicked off with an intensive two-month songwriting camp, culminating into the selection of the top 12 finalists who advanced to the main event.
PhilPop Executive Director, Dinah Remolacio, emphasized the festival’s significance in shaping the future of Original Pilipino Music (OPM), especially as it coincides with the movement’s 50th anniversary celebration. “The PhilPop Himig Handog Songwriting Festival’s goal was always to promote the excellence of Filipino songwriters and to push the possibilities of what Filipino music can be. We believe this is how we continue to celebrate the 50 years of OPM and how we continue to evolve the craft that makes us proud as Filipinos.”
While the finals night marked the culmination of the competition, the journey for these songs and their creators are far from over. According to Manalo, both PhilPop and Himig Handog are committed to providing ongoing support, which would eventually open doors to future opportunities for the finalists.
Even if the finals night is finished, he firmly stressed that they will continue to promote these songs because they represent the excellence of Filipino songwriting and music. “We can also expect the winners to become potential speakers and mentors for future songwriting camps so that they can share their story and their advice to other aspiring songwriters who would want to join our songwriting festivals in the future,” Manalo added.
