In that time span, Filipino songwriters from all over the world were put in the
limelight. They were given the challenge to create the best song they can,
break musical boundaries, and enrich the depth and breadth of Filipino music.
In the end, one song writer took home the title of first PhilPOP champion, but
rich talent and enthusiasm that emerged from the competition showed the
Filipinos’ innate musicality.
The Launch
The mission of PhilPOP was led by renowed music maestro Mr.
Ryan Cayabyab. A brilliant composer himself, he wanted to encourage more Filipinos
to create music that could flourished into timeless hits like his. Phil-pop
would promote the development of new expression of genres in popular music,
reigniting Filipino passion and pride.
“Filipinos are musically gifted,” Mr. Ryan Cayabyab disclosed. “With PhilPOP, I
want to shine the spotlight on our world-class composers and songwriters.”
The PhilPOP competition was launched by the PhilPOP
executive committee on February 15, 2012
through a press conference at the Philippine International convention center
(PICC). The guest got a foretaste of how the competition would evolve, with Mr.
Ryan Cayabyab performing some of his hits and several OPM classics with the
RCS. Exciting prices at stake in the competition were announced.
As PhilPOP Organizing committee Chairman Mr. Ricky Vargas
put it, “Songwriters have given so much inspiration to our society; they have
even sparked revolutions and change. This event are launching today as in their
honor to give them a platform to showcase their talents.”
This was to mark the beginning of the PhilPOP MusicFest
Foundation.
The Foundation
The PhilPOP MusicFest Foundation, Inc. is a movement which
empowers Filipino music. The board of trustees include Chairman Manny V.
Pangilinan; President Ricky Vargas; Executive director Ryan Cayabyab; Vice
President Patrick Gregorio; Treasurer in Trust Randy Estrellado from Maynilad;
Ogie Alcasid, President of OPM; Noel Cabangon, Vice President of OPM; Butch
Jimenez of PLDT; Dot Vea of Smart PLDT; Al Panlilio of Meralco; And Roy Evalle
of First Pacific Leadership Academy.
“The PhilPOP MusicFest Foundation, Inc. is an advocate of
Filipino music, a cultural treasures that embodies the identity of our People,”
Mr. Ryan Cayabyab explaines. “ We seek to enrich Filipino Music and educate
this and future generations on its uniqueness and importance. We seek to
resound and preserve the vanishing, perhaps forgotten, musical gems from rural
areas.”
It immediately garnered support from prominent composers and
business partners, strengthening the movement andbuilding the momentum and
anticipation of a brighter future for OPM.
The 14 Finalist
From March 1 to May 10, 2012. PhilPOP drew over 3000 entries
from Filipinos all over the world, far exceeding the Executive Committee’s expectation of 1,000.
After the gruellimg task of screening thousand of songs, the
adjudicators toiled to select the top 14. In second press conferens ce, this
time held in Genting Club, Resorts World Manila on May 28, 2012, these gifted
14 were introduced. These included 4 established veterans- Trina Bilamide, Gary
Granada, Soc Villanueva, and Mike Villegas; and 10 amatuer Song writers- Thyro
Alfaro, Kenny Faraon, James Leyte, Edwin Marollano, Krist Melecio, Keiko
Necesario, Bryon Ricamara, Toto Sorioso, Karl Villuga, and Noah Zuniga.
Collectively their songs integrated a rich variety of genres that are promising
for the future of OPM.
Building the Excitement
As the grand finale grew closer, the buzz amplified. The
finalist met the interpreters of their sogs comprised by well-known musicians
the likes of Mark Bautista and The Akafellas (interpreting “Bawat Hakbang”);
Jay R and Deejay Poblete (“Dulo ng Dila”); Nyoy Volante (“SlowDancing”); Sam
Conception (“kontrabida”); Baihana (“Bigtime”); Cathy Go (“Negastar”); Brownman
Revival (“Brown”); Joey Ayala (“Piso”); Rocksteaddy (“Takusa”); Daniel Grospe
(“Kesa”); Ebe Dancel (“Tayo-tayo lang”); Duncan Ramos, Luke Mijares, Loonie
Thyro, and Yumi (“ Himig ng Panahon”); and international artist Marie Digby (“3
A.M”). Gary Granada is sole interpreter of his song “Minsa’y Isang Bansa”
Recordings have been madeas overseen by record producer Vic Valenciano and the
CDs that were produced and distributed by the Ivory are now topping the charts.
All proceeds will go to the foundation.
The PhilPOP finals gathered celebreties and fans nationwide
at the PICC were it all began, on a spectacular staged designed by
distinguished production designer Gino Gonzales, reminiscent of the worldwide
hit TV show “American Iddol”.
The Grand Finale
By 7:00 P.M of July 14, 2012, the plenary hall at the PICC
was packed. The show was in full swing with amazing performances and dazzling
in-house effects. With host Ogie Alcasid and Nikki Gil, as well as the
star-studded cast of interpreters and performers, the audience was engaged in
the entire production. The interpreters performed the songs of their
corresponding finalists and did each one justice. In between this 14 novel
hits, Jose and Wally, basil Valdez, Sharon Cuneta, Christian Bautista, Erik
Santos, Regine Velasquez, Rachel Alejandro, Barbie Almalbis, Bituin Escalante,
Frenchie Dy, Chris Villongco, Gian Magdangal, Jan Nieto, Reymond Sajor, Bugoy
Drillon, Bryson Andress, Gloc 9, Kitchie Nadal, Hajji Alejandro, and the Ryan
Cayabyab Singers graced the staged with added entertainment.
Concluding the event was the long awaited awarding ceremony.
With his song “Bawat Hakbang”, former Akafellas member Karl Villuga bagged the
title first PhilPOP grand champion, earning the million peso cash prize. Toto
Sorioso (“Tayo-tayo Lang”) and Soc Villanueva (“Kontrabida”) placed 2nd
with 500,000 and third with 250,000, respectively. All three winners were
presented with beautifully crafted glass trophies designed by multi-awarded
sculptor Ramon Orlina. And finally James Leyte was given the Smart People’s
Choice Award and 200,000 for his quirky reggae entry, “Brown”.
Along with the numerous festivities that night, it was also
the birthday of PhilPOP Overall Chairman Manny V. Pangilinan. “This night is
the celebration of many things, especially the enduring enrichment of OPM, “ he
affirmed. “ I am honored to witnessed this unwavering support from all
Filipinos which implies just how passionate and proud we are of our musical
capacity.” The production team, comprising Ryan Cayabyab, Direk Rowell
Santiago, Mark Lopez, and executive producers Patricia Hizon, and Girlie Rodis
ensured a prestigious night of Musical Enginuity, with a promise of a winning
steak for PhilPOP, the Foundation, and OPM.
The Winners
Karl Villuga is a founding member, vocalist and Vocal arranger of Akafellas, as
well as a brilliant finance consultant. Although he is experienced in Music
industry, he is still quite amateur as a song-writer. His composition “Bawat
Hakbang” expresses a personal struggle in his life and captured the hearts of
all the adjudicators. On final nights, he performed his own song, with the help
of his fellow groupmates and established crooner Mark Bautista.
Toto Sorioso is a qualified performer and a sound engineer
who has been writing songs since High School. His mellow rock entry “Tayo-tayo
Lang” is about the gloominess of performing onstage and not getting attention
from the audience. SugarFree lead vocalist Ede Dancel put a classic spin on
this concept, and the judges saw great potential in this ballad.
Soc Villanueva is a songwriting veteran who has composed
songs for a multitude of famous artists such as Martin Nievera, Piolo Pascual,
Erick santos, Angeline Quinto and Bituin Escalante. Although he is currently
based in Australia, his gifts in creating songs that would appeal to Filipinos
is very much alive. His songs “kontrabida” is an R&B tune interpreted by
young heartrob Sam conception and received very well by the audience.
Final Message
For this support of the first season of PhilPOP, The PhilPOP MusicFest
Foundation, which was presented by the Maynilad, Smart, Meralco, PLDT, Resorts
World Manila, and TV5, thanked the valuable sponsors Metro Pacific Investments
Corporation, NLEX, PICC, and Sun cellular as well as the First Pacific
Leadership Academy, KBP, Philex; Media partners Inquirer, Ivory Records,
Philippine Star, Radio High, and Radio Republic; and the Belo Medical Group and
Via Mare. They also acknowledge the participants, joiner or voter, for their
role in enriching OPM.
PhilPOP is a Maynilad’s sincere contribution to Philippine
Society, implying that Filipino music is the language of the sole. The
foundation is certainly not resting on its laurels; it is already preparing for
a nationwide tour teaching songwriting and music appreciation to the youth. An
OPM summit is also in the pipeline. As the saying goes, “Mabuhay ang OPM!”
Source: The Philippine Starweek: The Sunday Magazine of the
Philippine Star.