Heralded as a game-changer that aims to strengthen diplomatic ties and promote cultural exchanges, ASEAN-India Music Festival 2022 delivered an astounding comeback that not only presented resilience during the time of the pandemic, but also championed shared histories and traditions among the participating partner-nations.

The three-day festival, which was organized by the Ministry of External Affairs and Seher—India’s premier cultural organization that works closely with the Indian government, showcased an exquisite merging of artistic heritage and cutting-edge modernity as headliners brought a slice of their culture on stage through music.

The second edition of the music festival featured an eclectic lineup from 11 countries, including Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and India. The event took place in Purana Qila, one of the most prominent and oldest forts in Delhi, India from November 20 to 22, and promoted rich musical traditions that connected the present and the past to a crowd of thousands.

Some of the most notable performances include Singapore’s Linying Band, whose compelling songwriting style and folk-pop sensibilities proved to be a hit during the festival run. The acclaimed hitmaker, who takes pride in being the first Southeast Asian act to get signed under Canadian Record Company Nettwerk Music Group in 2016, considers the experience of performing in India and representing Singapore a career milestone.

“It feels great,” says the Good Behaviour songstress. “And I think I didn't expect for this venue to be so breathtaking and so amazing. And I think that's something that's so unique. It’s cherry on top already, such an interesting opportunity to play, [this city is] already one of my favorites.”

The Philippines’ very own Bayang Barrios at Ang Nilayagan also brought the house down with anthems that tackle socio-political issues in the Philippines, particularly the vast destruction of the forests in the countryside due to ongoing urban developments. Singing soulful but powerful hymns against a backdrop of tribal-infused beats and ethnic instrumentation and delivering spiels in both English and Filipino, the eclectic singer-songwriter drew loud cheers from the audience who seemed captivated by her undeniable charisma and talent.

“Music is universal,” Barrios reiterates. “Despite the difference in language, people will always be connected in rhythm and pulse. What matters is that you are able to communicate your message through distinct but universal expressions—be it body movements or a smile.”

Host country India proved that they’re a powerhouse in terms of global music influence with artists such as Jonita Gandhi and Sukhbir elevating the art of performing in a uniquely compelling way. The latter in particular, performed with a percussion ensemble that masterfully blended Bhangra and Bollywood influences with modern pop, dance, and hip-hop music.

During his backstage interview with select Southeast Asian lifestyle and music press, Seher Founder/Director Sanjeev Bhargava emphasized that the success of ASEAN-India Music Festival lies on strengthening cultural ties among participating countries and fostering a global community that transcends beyond boundaries.

“Let’s bring the people of the world closer together,” Bhargava said. “And over here, my mandate is very clear. People in India have always been drawn towards the West. They want us to go to university in London or Canada or the U.S. Nobody tells us to go to Vietnam. Nobody tells me that there’s a beautiful culture in Cambodia.”

ASEAN-India Music Festival 2022 celebrates 30 years of India and Southeast Asia’s diplomatic relations. With its utmost goal of increasing awareness of the ASEAN identity amongst creative intellectuals and the public at large, the cultural festival has also done showcases in Shillong Meghalaya in Northeast India, as part of its plan to bolster its ‘Act East’ policy.

For more information about the ASEAN India Music Festival, visit the official website.

The second edition of ASEAN Music Showcase Festival (AMS) kicks off with week-long activities spotlighting the thriving music scenes in the region aimed at fostering stronger and sustainable global connections amidst a pandemic-stricken industry and well after.

This year, AMS continues its program expansion with the latest addition of week-long panel discussions beginning on Monday, September 6, featuring respected music industry leaders in Asia and beyond. 

Deeper exchanges

AMS co-organizers recognize the importance of collaboration. Having built their professional and creative relationships through participating in international showcases and conferences through the years, one of the integral parts of these events is the panel discussions.

The esteemed panelists represent various music showcase festivals, agencies, labels, managements, and other music organizations and companies, including LUCfest, Sun Eater, DMZ Peace Train/Flipped Coin Music, The Venopian Solitude, Seen Scene Space, MASPAM Records, SCAPE, Warner Music Asia, and Tunecore.

Guest speakers and moderators will delve into topics including touring around Southeast Asia (September 6); identifying and differentiating consumer versus showcase festivals (September 7); dissecting case studies of successful ASEAN artists (September 8); the roles of independent and major music labels in today’s musical landscape (September 9); and a candid talk from AMS organizers themselves (September 10). The panel discussions will stream live on AMS’ Facebook daily at 8 PM, Singapore time.

Celebrating multi-genre, multicultural music artistry

As a showcase festival untethered to conventional methods of traditional or consumer music festivals, it’s vital for AMS to match the right artists with the right kind of talent buyers. “Seeing it through my own experience, music conference and showcase festival delegates who are most active are the ones who energetically jump from venue to venue hoping to see as many bands as possible. So, for AMS we also try to select artists who have that same secret sauce but do not have to belong in the same genres,” shares co-organizer Piyapong ‘Py’ Muenprasertdee.

Over the weekend (September 11-12), AMS will broadcast genre-defying sets from 28 ASEAN artists from ASEAN, including indie-pop band Sobs and singer-songwriter Kitty Purrnaz, which were added as part of the Singapore artist lineup.

Cultivating opportunities

The final part of AMS 2021’s program takes place on Monday, September 13. The privately held virtual networking event aims to open doors for ASEAN artists to grow and expand their network. Delegates from the panel discussions and representatives from ASEAN-based Okhna Park, Berita Angkasa, Gelombang Maju Jaya, FFWD Records, Amity Asia, altspace.id, Tala Records Asia, The Wknd, TONGTONG Asia, Raising The Bar, Island Records Philippines, Indie Manila, GNN Entertainment Productions, Melt Records, Where Are The Fruits, Pulse City, HipHopDX Asia, Baybeats/The Esplanade, Speakerbox, Cat Radio & Cat Expo, Big Mountain Music Festival, Maho Rasop Festival, Coracle Festival, Locally Trapped Wildlife, Hanoi Community Radio, and 1900 Le Théâtr, Dusted Recordings, and Gig Life Pro will join in the virtual networking event.

International delegation (specifically East Asia, Australasia, Europe, and North America) comprise of MusicDish 独立小炒, New Noise, Sound of the Xity, Inter Idoru, Music From Okinawa, BIG ROMANTIC RECORDS, Highjinkx/Beeline Records, Golden Melody Awards, Tron Music, Clockenflap, Victorian Music Development Office (VMDO), This Much Talent, Club Media, Achord Agency, Earth Beat, Live At Heart, Smallfish Artist Management Agency, SXSW, Small World Music / Global Toronto, Beat House, and Jaded Media LLC.

AMS is brought to you by Fungjai, NYLON Thailand, and Bangkok Music City from Thailand; The Rest Is Noise PH from the Philippines; Steady State Records from Singapore; SRM from Indonesia; City Roars Festival from Malaysia; Baramey Production from Cambodia; and Monsoon Music Festival and Swan Zoo from Vietnam.

This year’s edition is co-presented by Malaysia’s Cultural Economy Development Agency (CENDANA); the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB); the National Arts Council, Singapore; a US-based digital music distributor TuneCore; Singaporean NPO that supports youth, talent and leadership development, *SCAPE; and Victorian Music Development Office (VMDO).

The festival is also supported by Music Copyright (Thailand) Ltd. (MCT) and festival partners Global Toronto; Live at Heart; Golden Melody Awards & Festival; LUCfest; ZAshare; Sound of the Xity; Trans Asia Music Meeting (TAMM); and Institut français de Hanoi-L'Espace.

On its debut year, the collaborative showcase festival presents a diverse lineup handpicked by its founding members: Singapore’s SGMUSO; Thailand’s Bangkok Music City co-founded by Fungjai Co., Ltd. and NYLON Thailand; Malaysia’s City ROARS! Festival; Indonesia’s SRM; and the Philippines’ The Rest Is Noise PH.

The lineup includes 20 artists from participating countries:

Singapore – Linying, Marian Carmel, Coming Up Roses, and J.M3
Thailand – TONTRAKUL, Valentina Ploy, STOIC, and H 3 F
Malaysia – Bayangan, Buddha Beat, Golden Mammoth, and mutesite
Indonesia – Tanayu, bangkutaman, Rangkai, and Oslo Ibrahim
Philippines – Pikoy, Cheats, Uprising Records Artists, and August Wahh

ASEAN Music Showcase Festival will be hitting the digital stage from September 19 to 20, 2020, and will be streamed live for the world to discover.

Aside from the virtual music showcase featuring artists from various music genres, AMS will be hosting a private virtual meet with some of the biggest and most promising music business professionals in the world, as well as up-and-coming and established artists in Asia.

For more details about ASEAN Music Showcase Festival, visit the official website here.

If you like music and EDM then you might want to read this and get yourself a ticket for the Sunburn Music Festival in Lingayen, Pangasinan because I got five reasons for you why you should be there.

5. The Encounter
Experiencing raves celebration live differs from any type of performance encounter in this globe. You will certainly not remain in a lengthy coast line. You will certainly be outdoors, delighting in the fresh air in order to experience great beach ambiance, as well as you will certainly be taking in an ambiance that is incomparable.

Kwento Ni Toto shares the partnership of Universal Records with the Philippine Popular Music Festival (PhilPop) for the production of the festival’s 2013 commemorative album. This is their first partnership which proved to be a beautiful one as it yielded hits like Dati (performed by Sam Concepcion, Tippy Dos Santos and Quest), Sayo Na Lang Ako (Karylle), Araw, Ulap, Langit (Christian Bautista), Sana Pinatay Mo Na Lang Ako (Kimpoy Feliciano), Segundo (Yael Yuzon), among others.

Mixing cinema and jam would give only one meaning, the first ever outdoor film and music festival in the Philippines.  Yup, it is called CinemaJam and it is hosted by Crizal Transitions, the world's leading Photochromic lens capable of adjusting to any lighting condition.  Crizal Transitions Cinemajam is a day of outdoor movie marathon and music festival which will be held at Event Circuit in Makati on November 30, 2013.

Teen heartthrob, multi-talented performer Sam Concepcion breathed life to Soc Villanueva’s entry Kontrabida to the recently-concluded First Philippine Popular Music Festival. The song was adjudged second-runner up in the competition.

Soc, composer of numerous hit songs including Kung Ako Na Lang Sana, personally chose Sam to interpret Kontrabida, which tells a protagonist-turned-antagonist’s love story.

“I never doubted Sam’s talent. Even before he stepped onstage, I knew he would give justice to the song,” says Soc. “Sam’s confidence is just so high and talent is overflowing that I know that the battle is already half-won.”

Sam, who last joined a competition less than a decade ago via Little Big Star, where he bagged the top plum, was ecstatic over the commendation.

“I know the song is catchy, unpretentious, and enjoyable to sing,” admits Sam. “But landing the third spot among 14 equally-brilliant entries is extremely amazing.”

Sam received glowing reviews from Jim Paredes, via his instagram account, describing his performance as “wow.”

Toto Sorioso’s Tayo-Tayo Lang, which talks about a musician’s experiences performing to a near-empty venue, bagged the 2nd place. Ebe Dancel interpreted the song.

The top prize went to Karl Villuga’s Bawat Hakbang, a beautifully-written inspirational song interpreted by Mark Bautista and Akafellas.


The task of evaluating the final entries was given to the distinct panel of judges, composed by some of the most respected names in the industry – singer-hitmaker-advocate Noel Cabangon, famous radio personality Chico Garcia, Universal Records’ Managing Director Kathleen Dy-Go, PhilPop Treasurer Randy Estrellado, former Eraserheads frontman Ely Buendia, ace songwriter-musical director Louie Ocampo, and APO Hiking Society Member Jim Paredes.

Music lovers if you didn't get a chance to watch the Philippine Popular Music Festival and wasn't able to know who won this encouraging songwriting competition, well some of our friends from there was able enough to provide us the list of songs, singers, and songwriters who made it in this prestigious competition.   So here it is, just read more and memorize the names and songs.

The million-peso champion of the first ever Philippine Popular Music Festival (or PhilPOP) has been crowned! Last Saturday, July 14, 2012, held at the Philippine International Convention Center, the grand prize honor went to former Akafellas member Karl Vincent Villuga and his song “Bawat Hakbang”. The composition was interpreted by Villuga along with his former groupmates and crooner Mark Bautista. Villuga said that the song was about overcoming personal crisis.

First runner-up position went to Soc Villanueva with his R&B song “Kontrabida” sung by Sam Concepcion. Toto Sarioso won the second runner-up prize for his composition “Tayo Tayo Lang” performed by former Sugarfree frontman Ebe Dancel.

None other our country’s prominent songwriter, musician and academic Mr. Ryan Cayabyab is the Executive Director of the competition. The first Philippine Popular Music Festival is a songwriting competition which “aims to celebrate the talent of Filipino songwriting and to glorify the contributions of songwriters and composers to the Filipino music industry.” The event is the brainchild of chairman Manny V. Pangilinan and organizing committee chairman Ricky Vargas’ desire to help revive the Philippine music industry.

All of the winning songs plus the rest of the 11 top notch entries were compiled into one must-have album “Philippine Popular Music Festival 2012”. Mr. Cayabyab remarked, ““The CD is wonderful.  Ang gaganda ng mga kanta! I have never heard anything so uniformly, highly musical in performance.  The arrangements themselves are excellent.  I believe there will be several hits that will be spawned by this collection.  I am thrilled by the fact that these new Pinoy songs are fresh, new sounds with new lyrical concepts, or even if they are not new concepts, the approach is definitely new and the performances of the interpreters are indeed gems!  Hindi pa man contest proper, panalo na tayong lahat.  This is a major collection and I am very proud to be a part of the Philippine Popular Music Festival.”

1. “3 AM” (Music & lyrics by Keiko Necessario, Interpreted by Marie Digby)
2. “Bawat Hakbang” (Music & lyrics by Karl Villuga, Interpreted by Mark Bautista, Karl Villuga & The Akafellas)
3. “Big Time” (Music & lyrics by Trina Belamide, Interpreted by Baihana)
4. “Brown” (Music & lyrics by James Leyte, Interpreted by Brownman Revival and James Leyte)
5. “Dulo Ng Dila” (Music & lyrics by Noah Zuñiga, Interpreted by Jay R and Deejay Poblete)
6. “Himig Ng Panahon” (Music & lyrics by Thyro Alfaro, Interpreted by Duncan Ramos, Luke Mijares, Loonie, Thyro & Yumi)
7. “Kesa” (Music & lyrics by Edwin Marollano, Interpreted by Daniel Gorospe)
8. “Kontrabida” (Music & lyrics by Soc Villanueva, Interpreted by Sam Concepcion)
9. “Minsa’y Isang Bansa” (Music & lyrics by Gary Granada, Interpreted by Gary Granada)
10. “Negastar” (Music & lyrics by Mike Villegas, Interpreted by Cathy Go)
11. “Piso” (Music & lyrics by Krist Melecio, Interpreted by Joey Ayala)
12. “Slowdancing” (Music & lyrics by Kennard Faraon, Interpreted by Nyoy Volante)
13. “Takusa” (Music & lyrics by Byron Ricamara, Interpreted by Rocksteddy)
14. “Tayo Tayo Lang” (Music & lyrics by Toto Sorioso, Interpreted by Ebe Dancel)

PhilPOP content can also be downloaded direct to your mobile. Just text PhilPOP to 3456 for Smart and Talk ‘N’ Text PhilPOP to 2346 for Sun. Standard rates apply. To download content online, visit MyMusicStore.com.ph or iTunes.

“Philippine Popular Music Festival 2012” album in stores nationwide, distributed by Ivory Music and Video.

PhilPOP is presented by Maynilad and Smart and it is co-presented by Meralco, PLDT, Resorts World Manila and TV5. It is sponsored by Metro Pacific Investments Corporation, NLEX, PICC and Sun Cellular as well as by the First Pacific Leadership Academy, KBP, Philex and media partners Inquirer, Ivory Music & Video, Philippine Star, Radio High and Radio Republic.

Excited with the upcoming PhilPop Music Festival? Well, if you are, these people are much more excited than you are. Here are what they say about this upcoming PhilPop Music Festival.



“The Philippine Popular Music Festival should offer what we all have been missing – a worthy venue to showcase the best and the brightest in OPM,” - Ely Buendia, songwriter/ musician


“Sobrang nakaka-excite ‘tong Philippine Popular Music Festival! More than a performer, a musician or anything else, I consider myself as a songwriter, and this makes it exciting for me…an event which will showcase the talent of my fellow Filipino songwriters. I honestly believe that this is what the music industry needs now: more original material. We have a deep bench of talented singers and musicians and we have to have a bigger pool of fresh new original songs to give them something new to sing. Revivals are okay but we need to come up with new songs to add to our piggy bank of classic Pinoy pop songs…and this Philippine Popular Music Festival will surely help our local music scene. Mabuhay ang original Pinoy music!,” - Chito Miranda, songwriter/performing and recording artist, Parokya ni Edgar

“It’s more fun in the Philippines! The 1st Philippine Popular Music Festival is an awaited competition that will draw the creativity of Filipino composers, old and new. This competition is a welcome endeavor to propel original Pilipino music to be known and recognized globally,” - Noel Cabangon, songwriter


“I'm so happy that a prestigious songwriting competition such as the Philippine Popular Music Festival is being launched! We in the OPM are supporting this show 100%! Mabuhay ang musikang Pilipino!,” - Ogie Alcasid, songwriter/multi-media artist/president of OPM

“Finally a song writing festival where both young and old songwriters can share their creation. This will truly inspire everyone and give a new, fresh and dynamic meaning to OPM,” - Louie Ocampo, songwriter/producer/music director

“I'm glad we're bringing back the SONG FESTIVAL. We need to encourage the young songwriters to write original music to express our own sentiments, tell our own story and re-awaken our natural gift for MELODY,” - Jose Mari Chan, songwriter/businessman

“A free people must sing and dance to its own songs. Let our soul be expressed through its original musical expressions. Mabuhay ang Philippine Popular Music Festival!,” - Jim Paredes, songwriter/artist/teacher

So music lovers better watch out for the Philippine Popular Music Festival!  Coming very soon!

I forgot when was the last time that there was a music festival showcasing the imaginative notes and flowery words of a songwriter.  I may not be a good songwriter but I definitely write quite a bit, it just need more practice and more learning.  Perhaps I do that before the deadline of the submission.

Anyway, so much with reminiscing.  If you know what I am writing about, well, good because the competition for songwriter will be starting very soon.  Amateur and professional Filipino composer will have a chance to prove that Original Pilipino Music are still alive and kicking all it needs is venue like this, the Philippine Popular Music Festival.

To know more about the Philippine Popular Music Festival or PhilPop read the details of the press release below...


There are competitions for aspiring singers, dancers, actors, models, bands, chefs, even children wanting to be chefs but what about for songwriters?

With a local music scene widely dominated by imported music, the Filipino songwriter has become a stranger in his own land.


With this in mind, prominent names from various industries have come together to spearhead the creation of the Philippine Popular Music Festival.

PhilPOP is a songwriting competition open to all amateur and professional Filipino composers. By March 1, 2012, interested composers can start submitting their entries online at PhilPOP.com.ph. The deadline of submission is on May 10, 2012. Song entries must be in MP3 format and can be in any popular music genre or a fusion of known genres, in any form or structure. Each entry must not exceed four minutes. Contestants can submit a maximum of two songs, either as a sole composer or as a collaborator. Song lyrics may be in Filipino, English, any Filipino dialect or a combination thereof.


There will be three levels of screenings and during the semi-finals, the judges will choose the top 14 finalists. The final performance and competition night will be held on July 14, 2012 at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC). The grand prize winner will receive P1 million in cash and a trophy. The second and third runners up will each receive a trophy and P500,000 and P250,000 in cash respectively. All non-winning finalists will receive P50,000. A People’s Choice award will also be given to the entry with the most number of online and text votes. The winner will receive P200,000 and a trophy.


The competition hopes to provide a channel through which Filipino songwriters can create new songs and discover new expressions or genres in popular music. The organizers of PhilPOP also hope to start spark renewed enthusiasm and pride in Filipino music by starting a brand new collection of freshly produced Original Pilipino Music (OPM).

“Filipinos, in general, are musically gifted,” music maestro and PhilPOP executive director Ryan Cayabyab said. “We are well-known the world over simply because of our immense talent. But we are not just a country of talented singers, dancers and actors. With PhilPOP, I also want to shine the spotlight on our world-class composers and songwriters,” he added. The renowned musician also noted that this songwriting event is not a “revival” of another popular songwriting competition in the past decade.


Maynilad president and chief executive Ricky Vargas, who is also the event’s organizing committee chairman, further noted the significance of PhilPOP. “It’s high time we celebrate the artistry of the Filipino songwriter. What better way to do that than by giving them an avenue to showcase home grown talent and shine on a stage of their own.”

Meanwhile, business icon and PhilPOP chairman, Manny Pangilinan, also shared his motivation for lending support to the competition. “There are two reasons why I'm back in the Philippines after living in Hong Kong for so many years. I miss our religion and our music. You hear God’s voice in music,” he said.

The Philippine Popular Music Festival is jointly presented by Maynilad, Meralco, PLDT, Smart Communications, Sun Cellular, PICC, TV5, DDB Philippines and official press launch food provider, Via Mare.