MANILA, Philippines - Kung Pag-ibig Mo’y Ulan, composed by Christian Malinias of Benguet province, swept the top prizes of the UNTV Life-produced songwriting tilt A Song of Praise (ASOP) Music Festival Year 4, last Oct. 13 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The song was awarded Song of the Year by ASOP board of judges headed by Maestro Ryan Cayabyab. The award came with a P500,000 cash prize. The Voice Season 2 finalist Leah Patricio bagged the Best Interpreter award for the same song, taking home P50,000 in cash.
Twelve monthly finalists vied for the Song of the Year honors and special prizes. A record of P1.3M total cash prizes was given this year.
The runners-up were Pakamamahalin Din Kita, composed by Dennis Avenido (first); Jesus, I Love You (second); and Pahintulutan Mo by Leonardo de Jesus II (third). Niño Alejandro, RJ Buena and Philippe Go interpreted the first, second and third runners-up, respectively.
The rest of the jury were Mon del Rosario, Jett Pangan, Jungee Marcelo, Lachmi Baviera and Celeste Legaspi.
BMPI chairman and CEO Daniel Razon acknowledged the original proponent of ASOP Music Festival, Bro. Eli Soriano, the overall servant of the Members Church of God International (MCGI).
Kuya Daniel, as he is also known by the public, said that ASOP has been around in MCGI for 11 years already until Bro. Eli suggested to put the show on mainstream television.
The winning songs of ASOP debuted on radio last Sunday via Wish FM 107.5 kHz.
The people’s favorite was Dakila Ka Ama by Ella Mae Septimo and interpreted by Ruth Regine Reyno. Selected as Best Music Video was the work for Sabik Sa ‘Yo by Joseph Bolinas and interpreted by Ney Dimaculangan.