PhilPop announces 30 semifinalists; Top 10 to be revealed soon

07/31/2018 11:01:24 AM

(Erratum: it is Top 30 OSR and Interpreter's Reveal, not Top 10. Apologies for the initial post.)

After missing 2017, PhilPop Music Festival is back this year with a bang.

Boasting its theme “Music. Powered by Pinoys,” PhilPop Foundation has made a lot of changes, and one of them is adopting a grassroots approach to discover and develop the most talented songwriters in the country.

And after a year-long series of nationwide bootcamps, the songwriting music festival announced on 24 July 2018 its 30 semifinalists at Florabel Restaurant in Capitol Commons, Pasig City. The contenders, PhilPop executives, and friends from the media were present.

Over a thousand songs written by numerous aspiring composers across the country were submitted, and they are all screened by a pool of over 100 judges comprised of music industry, music educators, youth groups, college students, religious communities and advertising executives.

The rigorous process has bear the results as the 30 entries are as diverse as their origins and musical genres. It is also evident that PhilPop strongly advocates for songs written in the vernacular language as some of the entries were penned in Hiligaynon, Bisaya, and other local language.

“[The] foundation’s pivot to change the format and competition timing was imperative to encourage more songwriters outside Luzon and the greater Metro Manila to join the festival. Embracing the biennial campaign by starting with the songwriting boot camps and then the festival proper was implemented to arm songwriters with knowledge and songwriting essentials that will push them to be confident to showcase their masterpieces, even those written in local language,” said Dinah Remolacio, PhilPop Executive Director.

The announcement served as the kickoff event for the celebration of the  Linggo ng Musikang Pilipino (LMP), that is held annually during the last week of July. 

The roster of 30 semifinalists are as follows: 

1. AEIOU - Kenneth John Pores (General Trias, Cavite)

2. Ako, Ako - Jeriko Buenafe (Taguig, NCR)

3. Away Wa’y Buwagay - Eamarie Gilayo and Jovit Leonerio (Davao City, Davao Del Sur)

4. Bumbero - Michael Llave (Quezon City, NCR)

5. Di Ko Man - Ferdinand Aragon (Cebu City, Cebu)

6. Ikaw Ang Aking Pag-ibig - Mark Jay Felipe (Guimba, Nueva Ecija)

7. Isang Gabing Pagibig - Carlo Angelo David (Quezon City, NCR)

8. Kariton - Philip Arvin Jarilla (Antipolo, Rizal)

9. Kelan Kaya? - Sarah Bulahan (Mandaluyong City, NCR)

10. KilabI - Karlo Frederico Zabala (Valenzuela City, NCR)

11. Korde Kodigo - Jeremy Sarmiento (Davao City, Davao Del Sur)

12. Laon Ako - Elmar Jan Bolano and Donel Transporto (Tigbauan, Iloilo)

13. LDR (Layong ‘Di Ramdam) - Russ Narcies Cabico (Quezon City, NCR)

14. LGBT (Laging Ganito Ba Tayo?) - Kyle Pulido (Davao City, Davao Del Sur)

15. Lilipad - Agatha Morallos and Melvin Joseph Morallos (Baguio City, Benguet)

16. Loco De Amor! - Edgardo Miraflor, Jr. (Bacolod City, Negros Occidental)

17. Mahirap Magselos - Paul Hildawa (Makati City, NCR)

18. Makisabay - Carlo Angelo David (Quezon City, NCR)

19. Malilimutan Din Kita - Marvin Blue Corpuz (Koronadal, South Cotabato)

20. MMRA - Oliver Narag (Valenzuela City, NCR)

21. Nanay Tatay - Teodoro Festejo III (Davao City, Davao Del Sur)

22. Oka - Michael Angelo Aplacador (Pateros, NCR)

23. Perfectly Imperfect Human - Barry Villacarillo (Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu)

24. Pilipit (Paano Sasabihing Mahal Kita) - Sean Gabriel Cedro and John Ray Reodique (Antipolo City, Rizal)

25. Promise Sorry Note - Michael Angelo Aplacador (Pateros, NCR)

26. Pwede - Agatha Morallos and Melvin Joseph Morallos (Baguio City, Benguet)

27. Tama Na - Michael Rodriguez and Jeanne Columbine Rodriguez (Makati City, NCR)

28. Unang Adlaw Nga Wala Ka - Therese Marie Villarante and Henrick James Pestano (Talisay City, Cebu)

29. Utang - Ignacio Dennis Roxas (Malolos, Bulacan)

30. Yun Tayo - Donnalyn Onilongo (Angono, Rizal)

All semifinalists’ entries will be produced by Viva Records, PhilPop 2018’s official record label-partner. 

Prior to revealing the entries, the contenders were required to undergo an intensive coaching camp that was spearheaded by Maestro Ryan Cayabyab, on 23-24 July in Tagaytay City. The PhilPop Coaching Camp Master and foundation board member firmly believes that education is the key for the country’s music industry to move forward.

“The next generation should be better than us hence, the best way to do this is to teach them everything we know at every instance possible,” said Cayabyab. 

Having been involved with PhilPop since its inception due to his desire to develop songwriters, the legendary music-maker now works works together with other music industry stalwarts such as Jazz Nicolas, Ebe Dancel, Jungee Marcelo, Trina Belamide, Jonathan Manalo, Wally Acolola, Thyro Alfaro, Yumi Lacsamana and Jungee Marcelo to guide the semifinalists in refining their creations.

The semifinal stage will run for a few months, and from the Top 30 compositions, only ten will make it to the final round and they will be showcased to the public of 30 November 2018 in the PhilPop Festival Finals Night that will be held at Capitol Commons in Pasig City.

Meanwhile, with the announcement made in time for LMP 2018, PhilPop stays true to its mission—that is “to discover original songs and foster appreciation for these original compositions that truly reflect Filipino culture and identity.”

PhilPop is an initiative of the MVP Group of Companies, Mid Atlantic foundation for Asian Artists, Inc. (MAFFAA, Inc.), and NYXSYS Philippines. PhilPop’s President, Ricky Vargas believes in the significance of strengthening our culture through music. The statement is also echoed by Maynilad's SVP and PhilPop Vice President Patrick Gregorio as a response to the challenges in today's music scene. 

“Maynilad champions Filipino creativity, that’s why we invest in them. This is more than a corporate social responsibility. This is calling and we are honored to be in the position to help shape our future thru music,”said Gregorio.

Author: slickmaster | © 2018 The SlickMaster's Files