PhilPop Himig Handog Songwriting Competition has
released a compilation featuring the top 12 songs that made it to the final
round.
The diverse selection of fully produced tunes was handpicked
by the two music institutions (PhilPop and Himig Handog), who
have made history by teaming up to find the next wave of global superstars and
industry titans.
According to Jonathan Manalo, the creative director
of ABS-CBN Music, the final roster of tracks was determined through a
rigorous adjudication process. The selection of songs involved direct
consultation with the songwriters to determine the creative direction of their
respective material and identify collaborators who aligned with their overall
vision for the competition.
Manalo explains, “We then shortlisted possible interpreters
for each track, and a lot of things had to be considered or fall into place.
The next steps include choosing an artist that fits the genre and production
schedule. We couldn’t simply pick someone based on name value. They had to make
sense in terms of style, the songwriter’s vision, and overall commitment to the
song, among others.”
Some of the artists who interpreted the songs include
chart-topping R&B sensation Maki, award-winning singer-songwriters Moira
and Johnoy Danao, folk-pop icon Ice Seguerra, recording pop
artist Jolianne, Cebuano pride Ferdinand Aragon, P-Pop boyband VXON,
and newcomers: KHIMO; Lyka Estrella, Annrain, and Geca
Morales; Kurt Fick; Noah Alejandre; Shantel Cyline and
Extrapolation; and FANA and Tiara Shaye.
Dinah Remolacio, PhilPop Executive Producer,
also emphasized the importance of finding the right team of producers when
developing the final version of the songs.
“Respect for language was also taken into consideration as
we wanted artists who naturally spoke the languages that are not necessarily
Tagalog and not someone who would pretend to sing in a language that he or she
wasn’t familiar with. Overall, the production was a process that required a lot
of components to fall into place, as well as a lot of patience and dedication.
But we’re excited for people to finally hear these songs.”
The shortlisted entries explore the different facets of OPM
in a modern, globalized setting while retaining its unique storytelling style
and individuality. Based on the final output alone, the pioneering batch of
PhilPop Himig Handog Songwriting Competition stays true to its unwavering
commitment to promoting OPM on a scale that’s never been done before: break new
territories
and captivate the international audience with music that is
distinctly global yet very Pinoy.
As Manalo puts it, “The Top 12 have been very proactive and
collaborative in their tracks. They really care about the final output of their
songs, and there’s a drive to achieve their vision for their respective tracks.
There was definitely a conscious effort, not just to make these songs globally
competitive but also to make them a beautiful reflection of this generation’s
stories and context. I think what we’ll hear for this batch is a representation
of the current landscape of OPM that’s very diverse, young, and vibrant.”
Remolacio adds, “I think you
can expect a fresh batch of pop songs that have the ability to break borders
globally and represent the diverse but interconnected culture of our country.
We hope that through these tracks, our local fandoms will be proud of our
music, and we hope that these songs will strengthen the local music scene and
the music breaking borders movement.”
Check out the Top 12 entries in alphabetical order:
1. ATM
Composer: Francis Contemplacion
Interpreter: Ice Seguerra
2. Buhi
Composer: Keith John Quito
Interpreter: Ferdinand Aragon
3. Dili Na Lang
Composer: Relden Campanilla
Interpreter: Jolianne
4. Ghostwriter
Composer: Kevin Yadao
Interpreter: KHIMO
5. Kurba
Composer: Alvin Serito
Interpreter: Maki
6. Langit Lupa
Composer: Geca Morales
Interpreter: Lyka Estrella, Annrain, and Geca Morales
7. MHWG
Composer: Rob Angeles
Interpreter: VXON
8. Papahiram
Composer: Rinz Ruiz
Interpreter: Moira Feat. Johnoy Danao
9. Salamat (Nga Wala Na Ta)
Composer: Jimmy Ricks
Interpreter: Kurt Fick
10. Taliwala
Composer: Maric Gavino
Interpreter: Noah Alejandre
11. Tulala
Composer: Shantel Cyline Lapatha
Interpreter: Shantel Cyline and Extrapolation
12. Wag Paglaruan
Composer: Tiara Shaye
Interpreter: FANA Feat. Tiara Shaye
PhilPop Himig Handog Songwriting Festival is an initiative
of PhilPop Music Foundation and Himig Handog and ABS CBN Music. This year’s
game-changing event remains unwavering in its obligation to come up with
innovative approaches in music-making and songwriting that are at par with
international standards. The event is co-presented by Maynilad Water Services,
Inc., Smart Communications, Inc., and in partnership with TuneCore.
Stream the top 12 on Spotify and
all digital streaming platforms worldwide.
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