Philpop contributes music to soothe the savage beast

Ryan Cayabyab of the Philpop Foundation has informed the public that an original song written in various Philippine dialects will soon be available for download with proceeds going to the Philippine disaster fund. Artists from Universal, MCA, Warner, Viva and the Loboc Children’s Choir have confirmed participation of a line or two. The song celebrates the unflinching tenacity of our people in the face of the worst disaster ever.

The announcement comes some weeks after the meet-the-press celebration of Mr. C of its 2013 Philpop success for the past year. The Philippine Popular Music Festival or Philpop is an annual songwriting competition launched in 2012. It was inspired by the Metropop Music Festival which gave birth to such great songs as Mr. C’s own Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika, Ewan, Magsimula Ka, Buti Pa Sila, You Made Me Live Again, Till I Met You, Be My Lady, Salamat Salamat Musika, as well as Freddie Aguilar’s Anak (which didn’t win an award but went on to gain worldwide success).     

The Philpop Foundation is headed by Manny V. Pangilinan as its chairman with Ryan as executive director. The competition is open only to original, previously unreleased songs in English, Filipino and other Philippine dialects, and since its inception has been airing on TV5. Grand prize is P1M; second prize, P500,000; and third prize, P250,000. During its first year, the festival experienced various controversies, but on its third year the tremendous success being experienced is beyond expectation.

At the press call, Mr. C shared with the public the good news that the Philpop 2013 album has reached gold record status with its songs becoming certified radio hits. The grand prize winner Dati from the youngest finalist Thyro Alfaro and Yumi Lacsamana (real-life love partners), interpreted by Sam Concepcion, Tippy dos Santos and rapper Quest, has been the most requested local song on Magic 89.9, and in the Top 3 of the MYX Daily Countdown, the most downloaded song on iTunes, Mymusicstore.com and Smart Music, the country’s biggest online music portal.

In second place is Time Machine by skateboarder Kennard Faraon, interpreted by Six Part Invention. In an interview, Kennard revealed, “Skateboarding and music go hand in hand. Parehas silang nakakapagpa-relieve ng frustrations mo sa buhay. Ang tingin ko sa pop dati… I don’t like pop! Dito ako sa maingay. Tapos, dun ko na-realize that I’m heading in the direction that I thought na hinding-hindi ako pupunta.”

We also got to meet finalist writer-composer Lara Maigue whose Sa ‘Yo Na Lang Ako is interpreted by Karylle. Lara is a classical and jazz singer whose father is Rayben Maigue, a composer-arranger and mother is soprano Nanette Moscardon-Maigue. Her brother is a classical guitarist. Her sister a dancer, and her 13-year-old sister plays the clarinet.

Lara was also a former member of the Opera Belles. “I never thought the songs that I would produce would be Tagalog songs that are pop,” she stated unbelievingly. Of OPM love songs she hears on the radio, Lara said she feels the artist’s pain. “I want to have that sort of impact on other people. When I found out that I got into Philpop, I couldn’t believe it. I feel like I’m already a winner.” Lara didn’t tell us, but the news is that she has been offered a contract with TV5. Her future is truly just beginning.

In 2013, there were 3,383 entries, and during the press luncheon Philpop 2014 was officially launched, accepting entries until Feb. 28 on its website www.philpop.com.ph.

It is the vision of Mr. C to have songwriters not only to be inspired to create great music, but to have a generation of composers who will be even better than the present crop. This is the legacy shared by those on the Philpop board like Ogie Alcasid and Noel Cabangon. “This is one of the major thrusts of Philpop, to educate and inspire,” said Mr. C.

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