Philippine Popular Music Festival

The Philippine Popular Music Festival (also known as Philpop) is an annual songwriting competition organized by the Philpop MusicFest Foundation and was launched in 2012.[1] The creation of the festival was inspired by the defunct Metro Manila Popular Music Festival.[2] The foundation itself is headed by the chairman Manny V. Pangilinan, executive director Ryan Cayabyab and administrator and communications director Patricia Bermudez-Hizon.[3] The competition is only open to original and previously unreleased songs in English, Filipino and other Philippine languages.[4] Since its inception, it has been airing annually in TV5.

There are three prizes given: Grand Prize (₱1,000,000), 2nd Prize (₱500,000) and 3rd Prize (₱250,000). An additional award is given named Smart People's Choice Award (₱200,000), which is the most popular song based on the text votes sent by the people. People who win these prizes also receive trophies while the defeated finalists each receive ₱50,000 and a plaque.

In its first year, the festival has received many controversies regarding to its finalists and its rules.[5][6] On its second year, all the interpreters were able to film music videos for their respective song entries.[7][8][9]

Viva Records released the compilation albums of the PhilPop Music Festival finalists.[10]

In 2020, the Philpop Foundation formed a partnership with Warner Music Philippines and telecommunications company Smart Communications for its 2020 Edition of the competition.

Result Song Composer/s[12] Interpreter/s[13] Special Awards
— "3 AM" Keiko Necesario Marié Digby —
Grand Winner "Bawat Hakbang" (Every Step) Karl Villuga Mark Bautista & Akafellas —
— "Bigtime" Trina Belamide Baihana —
— "Brown" James Leyte Brownman Revival & James Leyte Smart People's Choice Award
— "Dulo ng Dila" (End of the Tongue) Noah Zuñiga Jay R & Deejay Poblete —
— "Himig ng Panahon" (Melody of Generation) Thyro Alfaro Duncan Ramos, Luke Mejares, Loonie, Thyro & Yumi —
— "Kesa" Edwin Marollano Daniel Grospe —
2nd Runner-up "Kontrabida" (Villain) Soc Villanueva Sam Concepcion —
— "Minsa'y Isang Bansa" (Sometimes One Country) Gary Granada Gary Granada —
— "Negastar" Mike Villegas Cathy Go —
— "Piso" (Peso) Kristofferson Melecio Joey Ayala —
— "Slowdancing" Kennard Faraon Nyoy Volante —
— "Takusa" Byron Ricamara Rocksteddy —
1st Runner-up "Tayo-tayo Lang" (Only Between Us) Toto Sorioso Ebe Dancel —
Result[15] Song Composer/s[16] Interpreter/s[17] Special Award/s[18][19]
— "Araw, Ulap, Langit" (Sun, Clouds, Heaven) Marlon Barnuevo Christian Bautista —
— "Askal" Ganny Brown Jose Manalo & Wally Bayola —
Grand Winner "Dati" (Ever Since) Thyro Alfaro & Yumi Lacsamana Sam Concepcion & Tippy Dos Santos feat. Quest —
1st Runner-up "Kung 'Di Man" (If It's Not) Johnoy Danao Ney Dimaculangan Smart People's Choice Award
2nd Runner-up "Pansamantagal" Jungee Marcelo Sitti & Julianne Tarroja —
— "Papel" (Paper) Joey Ayala Joey Ayala & Gloc-9 feat. Denise Barbacena —
— "Sana Pinatay Mo Na Lang Ako" (How I Wish You Just Killed Me) Myrus Apacible Kimpoy Feliciano —
— "Sa'yo Na Lang Ako" (Let Me Be Yours) Lara Maigue Karylle —
— "Segundo" (Second) Paul Armesin Yael Yuzon Meralco Special Award
— "Sometimes That Happens" Adrienne Buenaventura & Niño Regalado Ace Libre —
— "Space" Raffy Calicdan Kean Cipriano & Banda ni Kleggy —
— "Time Machine" 1 Kennard Faraon Six Part Invention —

Note:

^1 This song replaced Marion Aunor's entry, "Do, Do, Do", after Aunor backed out for personal reasons and her talent management decision.[20]

Result Song Composer/s Interpreter/s[21] Special Award
1st Runner-up "Awit Mo'y Nandito Pa" (Your Song's Still There) Toto Sorioso Aldrich Talonding & James Bucong —
— "Babalikan Mo Rin Ako" (You Will Return to Me) Soc Villanueva Nikki Gil —
— "Dear Heart" Mike Villegas Kiana Valenciano —
— "Hangout Lang" (Hangout Only) Allan Feliciano & Isaac Garcia Duncan Ramos & Young JV —
— "Kung Akin Lang Ang Langit" (If Heaven Is Only Mine) Cecilia Bocobo & Isaac Garcia Mcoy Fundales & Clara Benin Spinnr People's Choice Award
— "Langit Umaawit" (Heaven Sings) Toto Sorioso Tom Rodriguez —
— "NGSB (No Girlfriend Since Break)" Davey Langit Luigi D' Avola —
— "Qrush On You" Flava Matikz & Knowa Lazarus Jay R, Elmo Magalona & Q-York —
Grand Winner "Salbabida" (Life Saver) Jungee Marcelo Kyla —
— "Song On A Broken String" Jude Gitamondoc & Therese Villarante Nicole Laurel Asensio —
— "The Only One" Venelyn San Pedro Thor Dulay —
2nd Runner-up "Torpe Song" Daryl Ong Kris Lawrence —
Result Song Composer/s Interpreter/s Special Award/s
— "Walang Hanggan" (Forever) Ramiru Mataro Ramiru Mataro & Donnalyn Bartolome —
— "Musikaw" (Song and You) Melchor Magno James Reid feat. Pio —
— "I Owe You My Heart" MJ Morallos Anja Aguilar —
Grand Winner "Triangulo" (Triangle) Thyro Alfaro & Yumi Lacsamana Thyro Alfaro, Yumi Lacsamana & Jeric Medina —
— "For The Rest Of My Life" Ned Esguerra Side A —
2nd Runner-up "Sa Ibang Mundo" (In Another World) Mark Villar Kean Cipriano & Nadine Lustre Maynilad People's Choice Award
— "Kilig" Soc Villanueva Jinky Vidal —
— "Apat Na Buwang Pasko" (Four-Month Christmas) Gino Cruz & Jeff Arcilla Jon Santos —
1st Runner-up "Paratingin Mo Na Siya" Davey Langit Davey Langit —
— "Nasaan" Lara Maigue Lara Maigue —
— "Tanging Pag-asa Ko" (My Only Hope) Paul Armesin The Company —
— "Edge Of The World" Johannes Garcia Josh Padilla & Yassi Pressman Best Music Video Award

Out of more than 2,000 entries, The Philpop, together with the adjudicators — singers Basti Artadi, Bullet Dumas, Ebe Dancel, Lara Maigue and Davey Langit, academe members and college students — selects 12 entries for the competition.[3] Five of the composers are returning to the competition, while 11 of those are rookies.[10]

Result Song Composer/s Interpreter/s Special Award/s
— "Baliw sa Ex-Boyfriend Ko" (I'm Crazy for My Ex-Boyfriend) Joan Da Sugar 'N Spice featuring Joan Da —
— "Binibini sa MRT" Johann Garcia The Juans —
Grand Winner "Di Na Muli" Jazz Nicolas and Wally Acolola Itchyworms —
— "Dumadagundong" Brian Cua and Mike Villegas Yassi Pressman —
— "Friday Night" Karl Guarano Kenjhons —
— "Kahon" (Box) Ramiro Mataru Ramiru Mataro —
1st Runner-up "Lahat" (Everything) Soc Villanueva Jason Dy Maynilad People's Choice Award
— "Nobody But You" Keiko Necesario Monica Cuenco —
— "Pabili Po" Aikee Aplacador Banda ni Kleggy and Aikee —
— "Stars are Aligned" JC Jose Acapellago and Jimmy Marquez —
— "Sintunado" (Out of Tune) Jeroel Maranan Nyoy Volante —
2nd Runner-up "Tinatangi" (Special) Miguel Guico and Paolo Guico Cookie Chua, Bayang Barrios and The Benjamins Smart/PLDT Best Music Video Award

The 30 semifinalists for the 2018 Philippine Popular Music Festival were announced on July 24, 2018.[24] A criteria of 25% online streams, 25% SMS voting, and 50% judges' choices was used to select the top 10 finalists. The Top 10 were announced on October 17, 2018.[25] The Grand Finals were held on December 2, 2018.[26]

Top 30

  • Date: October 17, 2018
  • Venue: BGC Arts Center, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig

Top 10

Results Song Composer/s Composer/s Location Interpreter/s Special Award/s
2nd Runner-up "Ako Ako" (Me, Me) Jeriko Buenafe Taguig City Feel Day, Hans Dimayga —
1st Runner-up "'Di Ko Man" Ferdinand Aragon Cebu City, Cebu Ferdinand Aragon —
— "Isang Gabing Pag-Ibig" (One Night Stand) Carlo Angelo David Quezon City Jex De Castro —
— "Kariton" (Cart) Philip Arvin Jarilla Antipolo, Rizal Acapellago —
— "Laon Ako" (I'm Old) Elmar Jan Bolaño & Donel Trasporto Tigbuan, Iloilo Kakai Bautista —
— "Loco De Amor!" Edgardo Miraflor Jr. Bacolod, Negros Occidental BennyBunnyBand —
Grand Winner "Nanay Tatay" (Mother Father) Teodoro Festejo III Davao City, Davao del Sur Chud Festejo Maynilad Best Music Video
— "Pilipit" Sean Gabriel Cedro & John Ray Reodique Antipolo, Rizal Julian Trono —
— "Tama Na" (Stop) Michael Rodriguez & Jeanne Columbine Rodriguez Makati Katrina Velarde —
— "Yun Tayo" Donnalyn Onilongo Angono, Rizal Gracenote (band) Smart People's Choice Award

The 2020 edition of PhilPop songwriting competition was announced in July 2020.[27] Due to the restrictions on the COVID-19 pandemic affecting the music industry and the prohibition of live events, the competition was held online.

The top 15 entries were announced in September 2020, while the Grand Finals was held on December 12 via livestreaming on PhilPop's social media accounts.[28]

Results Song Composer/s Composer/s Location Interpreter/s Special Award/s
2nd Runner-up "'Pahuway" (Rest) Sherwin Fugoso Mindanao Ferdinand Aragon —
1st Runner-up "Bestiny" Aikee Metro Manila Kevin Yadao, Jr. Crown —
Grand Winner "Suyo" (Persuade) Reon Visayas Noah Alejandre and Reanne Borela —

In September 2022, PhilPop and Himig Handog, renowned entities in the Philippine music industry, collaborated for the biggest songwriting festival in the Philippines. This collaboration followed an open audition where songwriters could submit their released or unreleased songs.[29]

On April 14, 2023, PhilPop and Himig Handog announced the selection of 35 DigiCamp fellows who would take part in the Songwriting Festival. These selected 35 Fellows engaged in a 2-month DigiCamp program tailored to enrich their songwriting skills. The DigiCamp curriculum included a well-structured program providing training, guidance, and mentorship to foster the development of their capabilities as songwriters. After the 2-month training, the 35 fellows had to submit their final entries to qualify for the top 12.

On July 22, 2023, PhilPop and Himig Handog, revealed the top 12 selected Grand Finalists who had qualified to progress to the forthcoming competition. The top 12 entries went through multiple rounds of adjudication, headed by an esteemed panel of Board Members, producers, key leaders, prominent songwriters, and decision-makers affiliated with PhilPop and Himig Handog.[30]

One year after the announcement of the Top 12, on July 17, 2024, a video uploaded by Star Music PH and Philpop unveiled the names of the interpreters and their respective songs, alongside the composers. The following day, July 18, 2024, marked the highly anticipated grand media launch of Philpop Himig Handog 2024. This event was attended by the interpreters and the top 12 composers, including notable figures like Ice Seguerra, Moira Dela Torre, Johnoy Danao, Maki, VXON, and several emerging artists from the Philippines.[31]

The top 12 Philpop Himig Handog songs were released on all digital platforms on July 19, 2024.[32]

Results Song Composer Composer's Location Interpreter/s Music Video Producer/s Special Awards
"ATM"
Ang Tanging Mamahalin) 		Francis Contemplacion Laguna Ice Seguerra
"Buhi" Keith John Quito Bohol Ferdinand Aragon
"Dili Nalang" Relden Campanilla Cebu Jollianne
"Ghostwriter" Kevin Yadao Metro Manila Khimo
"Kurba" Alvin Serito Metro Manila Maki
"Langit Lupa" Geca Morales Metro Manila Lyka Estrella, Annrain, Geca Morales
"MHWG"
(Mahiwaga) 		Rob Angeles Rizal VXON
"Papahiram" Rinz Ruiz Bulacan Moira Dela Torre, Johnoy Danao
"Salamat (Nga Wala Na Ta)" Jimmy Ricks Grajo Cebu Kurt Fick
"Taliwala" Maric Gavino Davao City Noah Alejandre
"Tulala" Shantel Cyline Lapatha Bacolod Shantel Cyline, Extrapolation
"Wag Paglaruan" Tiara Shaye Metro Manila Fana ft. Tiara Shaye

References

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