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Mario Bautista, has been with the entertainment industry for more than 4 decades. He writes regular columns for People's Journal and Malaya.

Mar 1, 2016

PhilPop, Philippine Popular Music Festival, Bares 12 Finalists For 2016 Songwriter Competition


THE COUNTRY’S most prestigious songwriting competition, PhilPop (Philippine Popular Music Festival) is back! Executive Director Ryan Cayabyab and PhilPop Pres. Victorino Vargas of PLDT officially announced the 12 finalists at 55 Events Place last Monday, hosted by former finalists Lara Maigue and Davey Langit, both talents of OPM Pres. Ogie Alcasid. Now on its 4th year, PhilPop not only has a sleek new logo but a new tagline: “Loud, Proud, Ours!”


The finalists are Aikee Aplacador (“Pabili Po”, a very catchy song), JC Jose (“Stars Are Aligned”), Jazz Nicolas and Wally Acoloca (“Di Na Muli”), Jeroel Maranan (“Sintunado”), Keiko Necesario (“Nobody But You”), Ramiro Mataru (“Kahon”), Johann Garcia (“Binibini sa MRT”), Soc Villanueva (“Lahat”), Joan Da (“Baliw Sa Ex-Boyfriend Ko”), Paolo and Miguel Guico (they’re twins, “Tinatangi”), Karl Guarano (“Friday Night”), Brian Cua and Mike Villegas (“Dumadagundong”).

We notice that most of the songs are fast or dance numbers. Mr. C says it’s because 80 percent of the 2,000 songs submitted to them as entries are all upbeat, with very few ballads. Like last year, PhilPop partners with Viva Records to produce music videos and a complication of the 12 finalists. The grand finals will be held on July 23 at the Kia Theatre in Cubao, with P1 million as grand prize.

We asked the songwriters who they prefer to choose as interpreter for their compositions. Here are their answers:

Aikee for “Pabili Po” - “I’d like to choose Davey Langit, pero sa rap part, I’d like to do it myself as I’m a rapper.”

Johann Garcia for “Binibini sa MRT” - “Since ska ang song ko, I want Chito Miranda and Parokya ni Edgar.”

JC Jose for “Stars are Aligned” - “My song is acapella so I prefer Acapella Go.”

Jazz Nicolas and Wally Acolola for “Di Na Muli” - “We want Kat Agarrado to interpret our song.”

Jeroel Maranan for “Sintunado” - “Either Sam Concepcion or Darryl Espanto.”

Keiko Necessario for “Nobody But You” - “Since Viva will handle the recording, I will go for Sarah Geronimo.”

Ramiru Mataro for “Kahon” - “Since RnB rock ang song ko, I want someone na mataas ang boses like Steven Tyler.”

Joan Da for “Baliw sa Ex-boyfriend Ko” - “My only choice is Yeng Constantino.”

Paolo and Miguel Guico for “Tinatangi” - “Either Ebe Dancel or Johnoy Danao.”

Karl Guarano for “Friday Night or the Poop Song” - “I want Billy Crawford.”

Brian Cua and Mike Villegas for “Dumadagundong” - “Itchyworms sana, pero kundi puede, si Sarah Geronimo.”

Soc Villanueva for “Lahat” is based in Australia so we weren’t able to ask him who would he like to interpret his song for him. Also, since Viva is the partner recording company, artists preferred by the songwriters like Billy Crawford, Yeng Constantino and other singer who belong to other outfits will be “suntok sa buwan” in terms of probability for them to be part of PhilPop.

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