2014 Philpop makes a millionaire out of Jungee

The Philippine Pop Music Festival 2014 or Philpop last July 26 made a millionaire out of Jungee Marcelo. The songwriter bested 11 other finalists to win the P1M grand prize plus a Ramon Orlina trophy in the competition with his song Salbabida.

Jungee is a recording industry veteran with numerous hits to his credit. He placed second in the 2013 Philpop with his entry Pansamantagal, which was interpreted by Sitti and Julliane Tarroja. He has done songs for Regine Velasquez, Gary Valenciano, Lani Misalucha, Daniel Padilla and many others. His Ako Na Lang for Zia was named Song of the Year at the Awit Awards while Kyla’s current hit, Kunwa-kunwari Lang is also by Jungee.

And it was a masterful performance by the multi-awarded and hugely popular Kyla that helped Jungee’s entry bag the prize. His song is about being saved, going from hopeless to hopeful, from fear to faith, having peace amidst the storm or to be literal about it, having a lifeline or a lifesaver. The song certainly sent out this inspiring message to all those watching the finals night held at the Meralco Theater and aired live by TV5.

Another highlight of the evening was Awit Mo’y Nandito Pa, a composition by the multi-talented singer, songwriter and arranger Ronaldo Sorioso. He was the first runner-up in the 2012 Philpop with Tayo Tayo Lang and has the distinction of having two entries in the finals this year. The other one was Langit Umaawit, a love song interpreted by Tom Rodriguez.

The admonition from host Ogie Alcasid did not work. “Wala ba kayong mga kamay?” he once asked the moribund audience, who seemed to be longing to spend the rest of the rainy evening at home instead of watching and applauding the numbers. But the touching rendition by YouTube sensations Aldrich Talonding (singer) and James Bucong (guitarist) of the B’laan tribal community certainly woke them up. It was also what once more gave Sorioso the first runner-up prize of P500,000 and an Orlina trophy.

Ogie, along with Christian Bautista and Iya Villania, did a great job hosting the show. So did Tim Yap and Jasmine Curtis-Smith, who took care of the streaming part of the evening. Kuh Ledesma looked fetching in a mini-skirt but Gary Valenciano looked like a refugee from a bad Mad Max movie in the Pinoy rock opening medley. And it was nice to see Sam Concepcion and Tippy Dos Santos remind viewers of Dati, their grand prize-winning duet from last year.

But in the end, no matter what the lazy audience thought, the Philpop finals was a show about Filipino music. I am thankful for the 12 new songs that we hope would be tomorrow’s classics and I am thankful for an organization like Philpop putting forth, time, effort and money for music at a time when good sense says otherwise. And I am already thankful that there will surely be a Philpop 2015.

The third runner-up was Torpe by Daryl Ong, who is the lead singer of the group Voices of 5. This was performed by Star in a Million winner Kris Lawrence. The Spinnr People’s Choice Award went to Kung Akin Ang Langit by newscaster Cecilia Bocobo and composer-arranger Isaac Joseph Garcia sang by Mcoy Fundales of the defunct band Orange and Lemons and Clara Benin, the talented daughter of Side A founding member, Joey Benin.

Congratulations to all the winners and all the finalists, too, plus to Ito Rapadas who led the team of producers who came up with recordings of the 12 entries. And not to forget, all the directors and producers who did the great videos of the finalists.

Also a winner was Lyca Gairanod, the nine-year-old garbage scavenger from Cavite, who was named champion in The Voice Kids finals that was held at Resorts World Manila last Sunday evening. It was an emotional finale with the four finalists leading the tear-jerking brigade. The others were Darren Espanto, already a suave balladeer; budding heartthrob Juan Karlos Labajo; and future diva, Darlene Vibares.

Lyca, given her youth and powerful, soaring vocals, was the crowd-favorite from the onset. She also had a built-in sob story that got emphasized every week with her wish to give a better life for her family. This early, comparisons are already being drawn with no less than the great Nora Aunor herself. Let us wish her and all the other finalists, success and happiness.

But I think an even bigger winner at both the Philpop and The Voice Kids was no other but the rock band Aegis. Philpop brought in the cast of the successful musical Rak of Aegis led by Isay Alvarez, Robert Seña and Aicelle Santos to perform songs from the show like Luha, Halik and Basang-basa Sa Ulan. They brought the house down.

And how do you think Lyca won that contest? While the other finalists had Gary Valenciano, Martin Nievera and Lani Misalucha to sing with and they did very well, Lyca had the group Aegis. Of course, their fearless rendition of Basang-basa Sa Ulan also brought the house down. It is now the time of Aegis.