Himig Handog: Veterans vs neophytes

MANILA, Philippines -  Musical composers and interpreters  old-timers and newbies  are all set to display their talent in expressing the different facets of love through songs in the finals night of Himig Handog P-Pop Love Songs 2014 on Sept. 28, 7 p.m., at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

According to Star Records executive Jonathan Manalo, the number of compositions sent to this year’s tilt was “record-breaking.” It reached to more than 6,000 entries which the screening committee winnowed down to 3,000 then trimmed down again to 1,000 until only 15 made it to the finals list.

“In the whole Philippines, this is the festival that received the most number of entries in a single year. Talagang andami and the songs are beautiful,” shared Jonathan during the presscon held at Dolphy Theater last week.

A release quoted Star Music head Roxy Liquigan that the competition is stiffer due to the wide array of genres of the songs composed by a blend of veteran and neophyte composers.

Seventy percent of the finalists are fresh to the competition. Only Joven Tan and Jungee Marcelo are the old hands in the Top 15. Both have already won in Himig Handog’s past editions. Joven’s Anong Nangyari Sa Ating Dalawa interpreted by Aiza Seguerra was last year’s winner while Jungee’s Super Pinoy performed by Jolina Magdangal won in 2000. Still, the two never deny feeling the pressure of being in the contest and the new challenges posed to them.

“Perhaps, all of us here are expecting to win,” said Joven, who composed Pare Mahal Mo Raw Ako with Michael Pangilinan as the interpreter. “I really challenged myself to come up with a song much better than what I did last year. Nag-isip ako ng kanta na kakaiba na para sa lahat at lahat makaka-relate so that was the biggest challenge for me, ‘yung kalaban ko ‘yung sarili ko.”

For Jungee, his compositions are usually based on the theme of the contest. But he seldom writes about failed relationships because “I am very much loved by my wife so I can only think of writing a song that is positive like the one I did for this and the challenge is to make a palatable song na masarap sa tao na makikinig — may storyline and it has to be current that I had to spent countless hours on the Internet to look for terminologies, hashtags, selfies. Good thing, I made it to the deadline.” His entry is titled Pumapag-ibig with Marion Aunor featuring Rizza and Seed as interpreters.

Newbies Francis “Kiko” Salazar, Raizo Chabeldin and Hazel Faith dela Cruz admitted to doubly feeling the weight of competing with Jungee and Joven. Nevertheless, their compositions Akin Ka Na Lang (interpreted by Morisette Amon), Dito (Jovit Baldivino) and Everything Takes Time, respectively, are worth listening.

“It is my first time to join that’s why I really gave my best in the song. It’s hard to expect but at the same time you have to hope at mabigat ‘yun para sa amin but we are currently enjoying everything. More than the pressure, it’s really the happiness to be in the finals,” Kiko said.  

Hazel, who is also part of Be Careful With My Heart as Jodi Santamaria’s flight attendant bestfriend, will perform her own composition. She is flattered to be singing alongside popular artists like Jessa Zaragosa, Juris, Jovit, Ebe Dancel, Abra, Jed Madela, Bugoy Drilon, Daniel Padilla, Angeline Quinto, Jugs Jugueta, Teddy Corpus, Janella Salvador and KZ Tandingan.   

Asked about the selection process for the interpreters, Jonathan said they initially listened to the songs to determine the singers who would be able to give justice to the songs. They considered the singer’s range, vocal style and genre. “Yung iba mas deeper pa yung reason, like he can relate to the lyrics personally.”

Jed agreed to interpret If You Don’t Want to Fall by Jude Gitamondoc after hearing the song. “I don’t want to join in any singing contest after my stint in WCOPA because I easily get nervous. Kahit nga sa Singing Bee hindi ako sumali. But I said yes to do this because I can relate to the lyrics. I could say that it’s the story of my life.”

Other entries in the finals are Hanggang Kailan (written by Jose Joel Mendoza), Simpleng Tulad Mo (Meljohn Magno), Hindi Wala (Nica del Rosario), Halik Sa Hangin (David Dimaguila), Mahal Kita Pero (Melchora Mabilog), Mahal Ko o Mahal Ako (Edwin Marollano), Umiiyak ang Puso (Rolando Azor) and Walang Basagan ng Trip (Eric de Leon).