PHILPOP 2013: An Immense Success

The 2013 edition of the Philippine Popular Music Festival or Philpop was an immense success! Not only did they discover 12 wonderfully written songs, and had big names interpret and perform each, they also put up a grand spectacle on finals night, and along the way, fueled the music scene with passion and creativity which pushes Filipino music towards a greater path.

With Philpop, revivals are a thing of the past. It has been an avenue for fresh and current songs creations and it has been a way to engage Filipino to make great music and express their sentiments, their opinions, their joy and struggles through song. The songwriting competition was embraced by thousands and thousands of Filipinos from all walks of life, from different islands, of different dialects and backgrounds, even from different parts of the world.

In just its second year, Philpop has paved the way for the creation of over 6,000 songs. Though in its debut, there were 14 that made it of the finals, and only the top 12 songs were featured in the album this 2013, the fact that there are thousands of new songs out there means the creative juices are flowing. Somehow, even the songs that didn’t make the cut will find its way to the mainstream, or the web, and with Philpop’s movement, these songs too will help define Pinoy music.

RECORD(-breaking). RECORD (the album).(gold)RECORD.

Under the baton of Maestro Ryan Cayabyab who stands as the Executive Director of the Philpop MusicFest Foundation, the songwriting competition received and adjudicated 3,383 songs entries this year which eclipsed last year’s record. With music industry professionals, musicians, producers, students, artist, record label executives and notable songwriters filling 140 seats throughout the 4-stage adjudication process and meticulously listening to, digesting the lyrics and music of, and grading the songs, they were able to find the top 12. It was no easy taks to find the top 0.0035%.

Philpop this year partnered with Universal Records to produce the album and distribute to a global audience- the album is available in record bars nationwide, and also on Smart Music, mymusicstore.com and iTunes. Universal Records was also instrumental in bringing big name artist to interpret the songs, and getting artist from different networks ( ABS CBN and GMA) and record labels. And they assigned Itto Rapadas to oversee the production of the album. Philpop truly is an industry-wide movement with everyone doing their fair share to uplift the state of the local music scene.

“The anuual Philippine Popular Music Festival is one occasion where we all come together and rally behind Original Pilipino Musig, and Universal Records is mighty proud that is at the forefront of this year’s festival” shares Kathleen Go, General Manager for UR, “Producing the album is a joy to work on because it highlights the immense musical talent of the Filipino composer, singers, arrangers and producers.”

As of press time, the album has been the top selling compilation on MyMusicStore for 5 straight weeks, some of the songs have been on the charts on iTunes, and it has already achieved its Gold Record status after almost 2 months of sales in record bars nationwide.

FINAL NIGHT

The most exciting songwriting competition in the country staged one amazing show! The Philpop 2013 finals night did not only showcase the top 12 songs interpreted by their impressive list of artist, it also featured top brass performers gracing the Meralco Theater for one outstanding spectacle that was telecast on tv5 las july 20.

The show opened with Regine Velasquez and Martin Nievera singing medley of the top 12 songs especially arranged by Maestro Ryan Cayabyab. Another musical segment, which was never before seen was also a highlight, Smith, and Charice Pempengco joined voices with the Ryan Cayabyab Singers, the Company, 5AZI, Baihana, the Opera and beat box artist Mike Solomon for a highly entertaining acapella medley of current popular songs also arraged by the Maestro.

The Philpop MusicFest Foundation brought together interpreters, guest performers and even judges from different networks, labels and genres, which is key to pushing this advocacy to uplift Filipino music. “It was a glorious night for Philippine popular music”, shares Maestro Cayabyab.

“It was a triumphant celebration of original, contemporary Philippine pop music.

Philpop ushers in a new era and breed of Filipino songwriters, creating a new league so diverse in style and genre, yet traditional and experimental at the same time. Philpop is the new OPM”.

He adds “I am very pleased with all the songs, and I am very happy with the winners. Philpop is all about our stories, our sentiments, our experiences of being Filipino expressed in song form, in any style and in any genre. Mabuhay ang mga awit-Pinoy!”

“DATI”WINS PHILPOP 2013

Not only did they survive the grueling adjudication process and made the top 12, they also scored big during the 2-stage finals judging process participated in by some of the most respected people in the industry. At the end of the finals night performances, the song DATI written by the youngest finalist Thyro Alfaro and Yumi Lacsamana, interpreted by Sam Concepcion, Tippy Dos Santos and Quest, won the Philpop 2013 title and earned the songwriters 1 million pesos!

“The moment our song was called out as the Grand Prize winner, my senses went numb. This is the time to inspire people our age that they can and need to contribute to Filipino music”, shared Thyro. The other half of the duo, Yumi was just as overwhelmed. “I get teary-eyed every time I think of that unforgettable moment. It was just a dream, and now it’s real. I feel very blessed because God really knows when you need it the most”.

Bagging the 1^st runner-up award is the song “Kung ‘Di Man” composed by Johnoy Danao, brilliantly interpreted by Ney Dimaculangan. With his P500,000 prize money, Johnoy also got the “Smart People’s Choice Award” title and earned another P100,000. Getting the nod for the 2^nd runner-up award and P250,000 is Jungee Marcelo for his piece “Pansamantagal” wonderfully interpreted by Sitti Navarro and Julianne Tarroja. The “Marcelo Special Award” which was worth P100,000 as well went to the positive and uplifting song written by Paul Armesin, interpreted by Sponge Cola front man Yael Yuzon.

All of the winners also got to take home very unique peach amber glass trophy especially created by internationally acclaimed Ramon Orlina for Philpop. The exquisite trophies were presented by various executives and Philop board members led by its Chairman, Manny V. Pangilinan. It is definitely something the winners will cherish for the rest of their lives.

THE ADVOCACY CONTINUES

The Philpop songwriting competitions is all part of the advocacy of the Philpop MusicFest Foundation Inc., chaired by Manuel V. Pangilinan and the board of the directors composed of business leaders Ricky Vargas, Doy Vea, Al Panlilio, Patrick Gregorio, Randy Estrellado and Butch Jimenez, and OPM vanguards Ogie Alcasid, Noel Cabangon and Ryan Cayabyab.

MVP shares that “in our society today, there has been a detectable need to intiate an undertaking as significant as Philpop. To remind where our music and should be healed”.

Philpop has been doing the rounds of popular radio station to promote the top 12 entries and especially the advocacy of getting Filipinos to create great songs and empowering song writers. The music videos have also been getting major airtime on the country’s primier music channel Myx.

Ricky Vargas who stands as the foundation’s President shares that “Philpop reminds us how much we all are alike as Filipinos through music as our songwriters-with their lyrics, music and interpretations – bridge the devide of  generations; from the glorious past, the sentiments of the present, and the hopes for the future. Mabuhay ang musking Pilipino”.

Philpop has learned on the partnership of its presenters Meralco and Smart. It is co-presented by Maynilad, Home from PLDT, and TV5. Major sponsors include NLEX, Sun Cellular, Jollibee, the First Pacific Leadership Academy, Metro Pacific Investments Corp., Philex, Sony, its media partners Business Mirror, Business World, partners Eastwood Richmonde Hotel, Essensuals Tony and Guy, Megaworld Lifestyle malls, Jinh Monis Salon, and the Universal Records.