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.

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.