Veterans, newbies in Philpop 2014

MANILA, Philippines - From other music festivals that preceded it to the prestigious Philippine Popular (Philpop) Music Festival that carried on the tradition today, songwriting competitions have always had a healthy mix of veteran and neophyte songwriters.

But that does not mean the more seasoned tunesmiths hold any advantage among the newbies. Looking back at the history of Philpop revealed that veterans and newcomers have equal chances of taking home the gold.

The first year of Philpop saw Karl Villuga of the Akafellas ran away with the top prize for his song, Bawat Hakbang, that bested a formidable line-up of finalists that included Gary Granada, Trina Belamide, Soc Villanueva and Mike Villegas.

The following year saw Thyro Alfaro and Yumi Lacsamana win it all with their R&B flavored ditty, Dati which again topped a field that included entries by familiar names like Jungee Marcelo and the revered Joey Ayala.

This year’s edition of Philpop once again looks like a battle that pits seasoned songwriters like Marcelo, Villegas, Villanueva and Ronaldo “Toto” Sorioso in one corner against promising newcomers like Darryl Ong, Chi Bocobo, Davey Langit, Popsie San Pedro, Therese Villarante and Jude Gitamondoc (Cebu), Allan Feliciano and Isaac Garcia and the hip-hop duo known as Q-York on the other.

Philpop executive director Ryan Cayabyab, however, pointed out that at the end of the day, it will still depend on how their respective entries capture the fancy of the judges.

With a star-studded line-up of interpreters that include Nikki Gil; Duncan Ramos and Young JV; Kyla; Thor Dulay; Kris Lawrence; Tom Rodriguez; Mcoy Fundales and Clara Benin; Jay-R and Elmo Magalona; Nicole Asensio; Luigi D’Avola; James Bucong and Aldrich Talonding; and Kiana Valenciano, it’s anybody’s ballgame in what is probably the most exciting Philpop yet.

The third Philpop Grand Finals night is scheduled on July 26 at the Meralco Theater with the grand prize of P1M. A beautifully-crafted trophy by celebrated glass sculptor Ramon Orlina will also be awarded to both the winning songwriter(s) and interpreter(s).

Philpop is presented by Smart and Spinnr and co-presented by PLDT Telpad.  Major sponsors include Maynilad, Meralco, NLEX, SM Lifestyle and Entertainment, Sun Cellular, First Pacific Leadership Academy, Metro Pacific Investments Corp., and supported by Sony, the Universal Records, Business World, RX93.1, Yahoo and MYX.

The Philpop 2014 Top 12 finalists with their respective interpreters are NGSB (No Girlfriend Since Break) by Davey Langit (Luigi D’ Avola);

The Only One, Popsie San Pedro (Thor Dulay);

Awit Mo’y Nandito Pa, Toto Sorioso (Aldrich Talonding and James Bucong);

Torpe, Daryl Ong (Kris Lawrence);

Babalikan Mo Rin Ako, Soc Villanueva (Nikki Gil);

Song On A Broken String, Jude Gitamondoc and Therese Marie Villarante (Nicole Laurel Asensio);

Salbabida, Jungee Marcelo (Kyla);

Dear Heart, Mike Villegas (Kiana Valenciano);

Hangout Lang, Allan Feliciano and Isaac Joseph Garcia (Duncan Ramos and Young JV);

Qrush On You, Q-York’s Flava Matikz and Knowa Lazarus (Jay-R and Elmo Magalona);

Kung Akin Ang Langit, Cecilia Bocobo and Isaac Joseph Garcia (Mcoy Fundales and Clara Benin); and Langit Umaawit, Toto Sorioso (Tom Rodriguez).