Every year I’m looking forward this annual music competition that has produced some of the commercially successful and critically acclaimed recording of the last five years which serving as breeding ground to artists who aren’t afraid to challenge songwriting tropes and reflect their truth.
PhilPop continues to provide a sustainable platform for amateur and professional composers to showcase exceptional songs from various genres and styles. This year PhilPop opened its doors to entries written in different languages, spanning across regions and cities ouside of Metro Manila.
Last October 17, 2018 at the Sunlife Amphitheater in BGC, Taguig was officially announced the top 10 finalists. Festival curator Mr. Moi Ortiz also awarded PhilPop Foundation headed by PhilPop Board Member and 2018 Festival Chairman Mr. Ryan Cayabyab, PhilPop Vice President Patrick C. Gregorio, and PhilPop Executive Director Dinah Remolacio a Certificate of Appreciation for continuously pushing the boundaries of Filipino music through regional inclusivity and for giving voice to homegrown talents who have the potential to make it big in the local music industry.
From the carefully handpicked roster of Top 30 semi-finalists, PhilPop has narrowed the selection to top 10. The finalists are judged according to the following criteria: 50% judges choice, 25% online streaming, and 25% Smart’s People Choice through SMS and Twitter’s conversational ad.
Here are the top 10 finalists with no particular order:
1) “Ako Ako,” composed by Jeriko Buenafe and interpreted by Feel Day feat, Hans Dimayuga
2) “Di Ko Man,” composed by Ferdinand Aragon and interpreted by Ferdinand Aragon himself;
3) “Isang Gabing Pag-Ibig,” composed by Carlo Angelo David and interpreted by Jex De Castro;
4) “Kariton,” composed by Philip Arvin Jarilla and interpreted by Acapellago;
5) “Laon Ako,” composed by Elmar Bolaño and Donel Trasporto Tigbauan and interpreted by Kakai Bautista;
6) “Loco De Amor!,” composed by Ed Miraflor Jr. and interpreted by BennyBunnyBand;
7) “Nanay Tatay,” composed by Chud Festejo and interpreted by Chud Festejo;
8) “Pilipit,” composed by Sean Gabriel Cedro and John Ray Reodique and interpreted by Julian Trono;
9) “Tama Na,” composed by Michael Rodriguez and Jeanne Columbine Rodriguez and interpreted by Katrina Velarde;
10) “Yun Tayo” composed by Donalyn Onilongo and interpreted by Gracenote
This year’s finalists offer a diverse crop of entries that represent different musical styles, ranging from contemporary hit music to folk, latin-flavored pop to R&B/soul, rock to easy listening music. Instead of focusing on personalities, the latest edition banks on envelope-pushing compositions that have the potential to penetrate the local music market and create a lasting impression to the Filipino audience.
What’s Next
The top 10 finalists, together with the interpreters, will showcase their original songs on December 2, 2018 in the PhilPop Festival Finals Night that will be held at Capitol Commons in Pasig City.
PhilPop 2018 is an initiative of the PhilPop Music Foundation, chaired by Mr. Manny V. Pangilinan. This year’s PhilPop is co-presented by MAYNILAD, and is supported by MERALCO (major sponsor), Mid Atlantic Foundation for Asian Artists, Inc., NYXSYS (official OOH partner), SMART, VIVA Records (official record label partner), Ortigas and Co., PETA (production partner), Coke Studio, NCCA, OPM, TAGA-ALOG, Rappler (official media partner), Pinnacle (official agency integrator partner), and Gabi Na Naman Productions (official promo partner).
