One of the prestigious songwriting contest that I have ever know, and who has produced a number of hit songs. PhilPop, has officially unveiled its top 6 finalists from the Visayas and Mindanao cluster. With #MusicBreakingBorders as its newest tagline, the music institution sets its sights in promoting top-notch Filipino compositions on a scale that’s never been done before: by going global and forging regional ties.

Carefully handpicked from thousands of submissions, the first batch of finalists from PhilPop Songwriting Festival 2020 recently graced the online media presentation last August 24, 2020 (Wednesday).



In no particular order, the finalists from the Vis-Min cluster include:

Visayas:
Jerika Teodorico – “Ayaw Na Lang” (Cebu City, Cebu)
Noah Alejandre and Reanne Borela – “Suyo” (Ormoc City, Leyte)
Michael Catarina – “Hinungdan” (Cebu City, Cebu)


Mindanao:
John Cadeliña – “Akong Bililhon”(Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur)
Christian Chiu – “Kasadya” (Corandal City, South Cotabato)
Sherwin Fugoso – “Pahuway” (Jabonga, Agusan del Norte)


According to PhilPop Executive Director Dinah Remolacio, the entries underwent multiple rounds of selection process until Top 3 per clusters were handpicked. “We wanted our process to be inclusive so the decision making involved local and international representatives from Warner Music, representatives from our regional partner for each cluster, and representatives from PhilPop,” Remolacio shares in a statement.

The selection committee is headed by Festival Chair and PhilPop Musicfest National Artist Ryan Cayabyab, as well as Foundation Board Members, adjudicators, partners, and Warner Music Philippines Executives such as PhilPop Musicfest Foundation President Victorico P. Vargas, Festival Co-Chair and PhilPop Musicfest Foundation Board Member Noel Cabangon, PhilPop Musicfest Foundation Executive Director Dinah A. Remolacio, PhilPop Musicfest Foundation Lead Adjudicators Jungee Marcelo and Trina Belamide, Warner Music Philippines Managing Director Ian Monsod, MinPop Musicfest Director and Mindanao Cluster Partner Jeremy Sarmiento, and Kadasig Founder and Visayas Cluster Partner Jude Gitamondoc.



PhilPop is currently wrapping up its adjudication process for the remaining clusters namely: North Luzon, South Luzon, and Metro Manila. The finalists representing the remaining regions will be announced next month. In terms of the selection of finalists from the Mindanao Cluster, MinPop Musicfest Director Jeremy Sarmiento takes pride of how the top three finalists took inspiration from various sources, yet their songs sounded truly ‘Mindanaoan’ in terms of cultural context and identity. Sarmiento also cited the importance of regional representation, and how this platform helps in introducing different stories and diverse experiences through music. “There's no better way to achieve that than giving an opportunity to those in the regions to tell their own stories. Representation provides a reflection of each of their languages, ideals, feelings and that's what we ultimately need to understand each other better, the uniqueness of the Filipinos, expressed through songs.”


Kadasig Founder and Visayas Cluster Partner Jude Gitamondoc is also optimistic about their official picks for the Visayas cluster, citing diversity and universal appeal as two of main reasons that make these songs a standout in the competition. “I think the songs chosen to represent the Visayas are a great representation of the region,” says Gitamondoc. “We have an electronic-infused track, another one that's soulful, and another that's folksy. That pretty much shows how varied the musicality is in the Visayas. We are at the center of the country. We are a melting pot of cultures, influences, and ideas.”

PhilPop Songwriting Festival 2020 is an initiative of the PhilPop Music Foundation, chaired by Mr. Manny V. Pangilinan. This year's PhilPop is co-presented by SMART, MERALCO, and MAYNILAD, with official partners, Warner Music Philippines, Kadasig, and MinPop.

It might be slow when translated but the song is fast enough to convince not only the audience but the judges as well. The song "Mabagal" composed by Dan Tañedo is hailed as this year's winner of ABS CBN's Himig Handog songwriting competition, not only that but managed to bag all the special awards.

Among the 4,000 entries submitted for the songwriting competition, the slow but soothing sound of Mabagal, which is interpreted by Daniel Padilla and Moira Dela Torre took home the P1 million cash prize.

Dan said he initially doubted whether he could make a song infused with a standard sound especially in the wake of pop music’s popularity. “Ang hirap magkaroon ng standard song sa ganitong panahon, iba yung uso ngayon eh, parang panahon yun ng ’50s. Pero buti naging reality yung in-envision ko (It is difficult to produce a standard song in these times as music trend nowadays is different. I wanted a ‘50s feel and what I envisioned became a reality),” he said.

“Mabagal” also swept the competition’s special awards by winning the MOR Philippines’ Choice award, the MYX Choice for Best Music Video award, Star Music’s Choice for Best Produced Track and the Listener’s Choice for Most Streamed Track. Daniel and Moira were also One Music PH’s Choice for Favorite Interpreters.
Meanwhile, Davey Langit, winner of Himig Handog 2016 for his song “Dalawang Letra,” won again this year for his entry “Simula ng Dulo.” The singer-songwriter co-wrote the song with his girlfriend Therese Marie Villarante and bagged half a million cash prize.

From one past winner to another, “Please Lang,” a song by Aikee and interpreted by Alex Gonzaga, was named as the 3rd Best Song, winning P200,000. Aikee also placed 3rd in 2017’s Himig Handog for his song “Ekstensyon.”

Another pair of young composers, Rex Torremoro and Elmar Jann Bolaño, won 4th Best Song for their entry “Nung Tayo Pa,” brought to life by Janella Salvador. They took home a cash prize worth P150,000.

Seventeen-year-olds Jerome Arcangel and Cee Jay Del Rosario took home P100,000 for bagging the 5th Best Song for their composition “Panandalian,” interpreted by TJ Monterde, about a romance cut short.

The Himig Handog 2019 winners were announced on the “ASAP Natin ‘To” stage last Sunday (October 13). “Mabagal” and the rest of the song finalists can be streamed in all online streaming platforms. Watch the Himig Handog 2019 music videos on ABS-CBN Star Music’s YouTube channel. For more details, visit Himig Handog’s Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/HimigHandog2019/ or follow Star Music’s social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @ starmusicph.



FULL LIST OF WINNERS:

BEST SONG/ 1ST PRIZE – “Mabagal,” composed by Dan Tañedo, interpreted by Daniel Padilla and Moira Dela Torre

2ND PRIZE – “Simula ng Dulo,” composed by Davey Langit and Therese Marie Villarante, interpreted by Davey Langit

3RD PRIZE – “Please Lang,” composed by Aikee Aplacador, interpreted by Alex Gonzaga

4TH PRIZE – “Nung Tayo Pa,” composed by Rex Torremoro and Elmar Jann Bolaño, interpreted by Janella Salvador

5TH PRIZE – “Panandalian,” composed by Jerome Arcangel and Cee Jay Del Rosario, interpreted by TJ Monterde.

SPECIAL AWARDS:

MOR PHILIPPINES’ CHOICE AWARDS - “Mabagal,” composed by Dan Tañedo, interpreted by Daniel Padilla and Moira Dela Torre

MYX CHOICE FOR BEST MUSIC VIDEO - “Mabagal,” composed by Dan Tañedo, interpreted by Daniel Padilla and Moira Dela Torre

ONE MUSIC PH’S CHOICE FOR FAVORITE INTERPRETER - Daniel Padilla and Moira Dela Torre for “Mabagal,” composed by Dan Tañedo

STAR MUSIC’S CHOICE FOR BEST PRODUCED TRACK - “Mabagal,” composed by Dan Tañedo, interpreted by Daniel Padilla and Moira Dela Torre

LISTENER’S CHOICE FOR MOST STREAMED TRACK - “Mabagal,” composed by Dan Tañedo, interpreted by Daniel Padilla and Moira Dela Torre