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.

Organizers of the first Philippine Popular Music Ferstival (PhilPOP), led by its executive director and music maestro Ryan Cayabyab, issued a last call to Filipino composers, performers and music lovers to join the PhilPOP songwiritng competition.

The composer of the top winning entry will receive P1 million in cash and two runners-up will each receive P500,000 and P250,000 respectively. A People's Choice award will also be given to the most popular entry as decided by online and text votes.

Fourteen (14) finalists will be chosen for a final performance and competition night to be held on July 14, 2012 at the Philippie International Convention Center (PICC).

Cayabyab said, “We are inviting all Filipino composers to come out and share their work. This is your moment to shine. It's high time we once again celebrate the artistry of the Filipino musician. Your big shot at song-writing success begins at this first ever Philippine Popular Music Festival.”





Last night, bloggers were invited to have a conversation with maestro Ryan Cayabyab as the deadline for the submission of entry for the PhilPOP is almost near. As of yesterday the number of entries submitted are more than a thousand already. So for those aspiring amatures and of course professionals who wants to bag that million pesos cash prize, you still have a few more days to work with your compositions.


As the event progressed last night, it was interesting to know that Maestro Ryan Cayabyab himself was an amateur when he first joined the Metro Manila Popular Music Festival (MetroPOP) and where his composition “Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika” won the top prize in the first ever run of the contest. The same music festival gave the local music industry its trove of seminal hits and its roster of song writing pillars and icons like Jose Mari Chan (“Hahanapin Ko”, “ Minsan Pa”) Nonong Pedro (“Narito Ao”, “Isang Mundo, Isang Awit”), Gary Granada (“Salamat, Salamat Musika”), George Canseco (“Ako ang Nasawi, Ako ang Nagwagi”), ouie Ocampo (“Ewan”), Snaffu Rigor ("Bulag, Pipi at Bingi") and Freddie Aguilar whose song “Anak” failed to win in any awards at that time but went on to become one of the country's most popular songs.




We were also given a simple lecture about music which inspires also us, bloggers, to get a try to make something extraordinary, good music and who knows we might get a chance.


With PhilPOP, Maestro Ryan Cayabyab now comes full circle in his career as one of the Philippines' most celebrated musicians – inspiring a new generation of song writers and composers as well as spearheading the renaissance of OPM through a familiar platform he himself has gone through.





More than just the excitement of the prizes at stake, the music maestro explained the long-term impact of the competition for the eventual winners. “PhilPOP is not just a one-time, big-time shot at fame. It can be that stepping stone to building a long and successful music career. More than anything else, it's a chance to carve a niche in the industry and change the landscape of local music,” he added.

So again, interested composers may still submit their entries online at PhilPOP.com.ph until midnight of 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 of structure. Each composition 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. Entries will be judged based on the artistry of music (50%) and lyrics (50%).





The PhilPOP buzz has traveled beyond the archipelago and has now reached Filipinos in other parts of the world including Thailand, North America, Hong Kong, Ireland, Canada, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, France and the United Kingdom.

PhilPOP is a collaboration among respected local artists and prominent personalities from various industries brought together by a shared vision – to spark renewed pride and enthusiasm in Original Pilipino Music (OPM) and bring about another golden age in Philippine music.





The Philippine Popular Music Festival is jointly presented by Maynilad, Meralco, PLDT, Smart Communications, Sun Cellular, North Luzon Expressway, Metro Pacific Investments, PICC, Philex Mining Corporation and TV5.

For more information, please visit the website PhilPOP.com.ph.

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.