Maki, Moira, Johnoy Danao, Ice, VXON, Ferdinand Aragon, and more, join this year’s esteemed roster of interpreters
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.”
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.
