The 1st Levi finalists album

Get the early buzz on the entries that made it to the finals in the 1st Levi Music Festival by checking out the recently-released 1st Levi Music Festival album containing the 12 finalists. These are the songs that bested almost a thousand others from all over the country. These are those that emerged winners out of the rigorous screenings conducted by industry people and ordinary music lovers this past year. Come June, three of these will be given the first, second and third prizes during the finals night of the contest. But before that happens, we now have the time to play by listening to the songs, analyzing them and then picking out those you believe should win the competition.

If you like them well enough and if you think that this album has 12 big hits in the offing, then you too might be heartened to say that with works like these, we can indeed look forward to a great future for Filipino pop music. That is of course, if the composers who wrote these songs will continue to do more of the same from now on and likewise the performers and music video directors. I almost forgot to mention that. The 1st Levi Music Festival album also comes with a free VCD containing the videos of the finalists. After the songs were chosen, 12 commercial and video directors were invited to participate in a special contest for the best music videos of the Levi songs. There will also be an announcement of the three winners in June. But you can now take a look at what they came up with.

So enjoy! Listen to the songs in the album, watch the videos, then pick out your own favorites ahead of the judges on the finals night.

And the finalists are: Ikaw by Derrick Anselmo performed by acoustic duo U-Turn with video by J.A. Tadena; Time to Let Go by Rebel Magdagasang of Davao sung by Ashley, featuring Dexter and video directed by Genghis Mark Jimenez; Ngumingiti-ngiti, a composition by Jun Mallillin, the leader of the defunct rock group Abrakadabra performed by Gladys & the Boxers with video by Sockie Fernandez; Sa ‘King Panaginip by Melvin Morallos sung by new discovery Agatha and video by Robert Quebral; Hopeless Romantic, a song by Christian Martinez performed by The CompanY, video directed by Neil Daza; and Baliw by Jun Murillo, the debut single by new star Mark Bautista with video by Raffy Francisco;

Alam Ko, Alam Mo written by Gerry Olaguer, performed by Star for a Night finalist Angelie Flores and video directed by Quark Henares; 6 Ft, by singer/composer Yman sung by the much-talked-about Anton Diva with video directed by Martin Aviles; OK, a collaboration by drummer Nino Regalado and singer Adrienne Sarmiento, sung here by Athena of 3YO video by Avid Liongoren; Hanggang Saan, Hanggang Kailan composed by Arnold Reyes, recorded by Ogie Alcasid with video directed by Nelson Cruz; Ganyan ang Pag-ibig Ko, a song by Eric Sta. Maria that is performed by the boy group 17:28 with video by Luigi Santiago; and I’m Sorry by Soc Villanueva and Jungee Marcelo, sung by Bituin Escalante with video by Tim Jimenez.

Speaking of other song contests: Congratulations to Markel Luna and Ruben Laurente for their composition My Vow which won the Sing Young Songwriting Contest held last March 29 at the ABC Tower in Makati and which was aired last April 17 over ABC 5. My Vow, with its infectious dance beat celebrates the idealism, zeal, passion and ability of the youth and describes the new generation as an integral part of our society. It was interpreted by the group Kaya, which is made up of Shemarah Flatts, Brenan Espartinez and Tintin Jacinto.

Markel is an architect, graphic and visual artist and show producer. He is also involved in the family business, namely Café Breton and the MCA Luna Gallery at the Heritage Art Center. Ruben is one of the members of The CompanY, who has also performed solo as interpreter in various competitions. He performed the song that won for Markel and his collaborator Jay Gomez the first prize in the World Category of the USA Songwriting Competition held late last year. Together Markel and Ruben also composed songs for Regine Velasquez, Dingdong Avanzado and Ayen Munji-Laurel.