Metropop 2000: A night of 'all winners'

I always look forward to the annual Metropop, not only because these past three years I've been sitting as one of the judges but also because -- and I bet you will agree -- it's one exciting show, very dynamic, never a dull moment, with the suspense quietly building up to the "moment of truth" -- yes, the announcement of winners.

Year in and year out, us judges are gently reminded that, remember, it's a contest "of and among" composers, not of and among singers. I nod, of course, but deep inside me, the voice of experience tells me that, yes, it counts and matters a lot how the interpreter does the song; that no matter how good a composition/song is, if the interpreter/singer doesn't do justice, then it won't come out good.

Just like a beautiful gown. Worn by somebody who can carry it well, the gown will shine. But worn by somebody who doesn't walk well, who doesn't turn well and who doesn't glide well, it is reduced to a mere cloth hanging from a human, that's it, hanger.

Us judges are given copies of the cassette tape of the 12 finalists three weeks in advance, expected to have listened to it again and again, over and over again, before we rate the entries (lowest is 75 percent and highest is 100 percent). What I did was listen to the cassette tape many, many times -- in the car on the way to and from the office, in the bedroom, in the bathroom, in the morning, at noon and at night. I wanted to find out how the song(s) sounded, at what time of the day and in what place.

Not being a technical person (yes, I confess: I don't read notes and I don't write songs, but I'm a music-lover in my own right), I rate the songs as they hit me and it should be right where it should -- the heart. The song must be pleasant to the ears, with the lyrics and the melody blending beautifully, with the singer giving it heart and soul, with an impact that makes you feel right and bright.

As simple as that? Well, as simple as that and at the same time in accordance with the contest's rules.

We were told that this year, some 1,477 entries were submitted, winnowed down by the screening committee (composed of experts in music) to the Magic 12. Some of the finalists were familiar, established names; and some are beginners and newcomers who, I'm sure, feel doubly triumphant when they beat the "veterans" in their own game.

Like in 1998 and 1999, the Metropop 2000 was held in the same venue, the AFP Theater in Camp Crame (Quezon City), last Saturday (May 27). And as usual, it was an exciting show, hosted by Ryan Cayabyab and Kuh Ledesma, with the colorfully-dressed The Company interpreting the 12 finalist entries in their own inimitable way. Now, didn't all the songs sound good as The Company did them? (See, the interpreter is a big factor).

What's nice about the Metropop is that the contestants seem happy for everybody -- "There's camaraderie," noted Ryan -- and if they feel competitive at all toward one another, they don't show it. It's a feel-good kind of competition. There might be rivalry, for sure, but, as I've said, it doesn't show.

This year's entries, as Kuh noted, are better than the previous years and it's a good sign. One or two sound like some familiar songs but so what? If it only "sounds like" and not really copied, what's wrong with that? Any artist -- whether a writer, a composer, a painter, etc. -- can be influenced by his role-models, and what's wrong with that?

The whole show was a winner. Besides The Company, last year's winning interpreter, Lani Misalucha, sang her winning piece (Dodjie Simon's Can't Stop Loving You) in a production number with Marco Sison, Rico J. Puno, Richard Merck and Butch Montejo (whose hair seems to grow longer and longer everytime I see him -- cut it!), with the four guys singing the other finalists in the 1999 Metropop. They were a winner!

But the show-stopper was guest performer Gary Valenciano who sang classic songs by the Hotdog (The Antonio C. Barreiro Achievement Awardee) in his own unique way. Very Gary V.! If Gary V. was a contestant/interpreter, I would have voted for him as the unanimous winner, hands down, right then and there.

And, according to the 20 judges (a cross-section of various fields, including composers, singers, radio guys, record-store owners, etc.), here's the cream of the Metropop 200o crop (drum roll, please!)...

* First prize: Forever and a Day, composed by Angelo Villegas and interpreted by Rachel Alejandro (said to have identified with the song's theme about a lost love, no wonder she sang it straight from a pained heart); P500,000 cash and trophy by Ramon Orlina;

* Second prize: Paano Na, composed by Arnold Reyes (member of the disbanded Boyzvoyz) and interpreted by Bituin Escalante with such power that I thought the AFP Theater vibrated with excitement; P300,000 cash and a trophy by Orlina; and

* Third prize: Ganyan Ako, composed by Vehnee Saturno and interpreted by Jeremiah (four bubbly, good looking guys); P200,000 and trophy by Orlina.

Frederick Peralta was also a winner because he designed the "winning" gowns worn by Rachel and Bituin.

I had my choices (the three winners were among my Top 6) but I'd keep them to myself, us judges having sworn over our dead bodies that we would guard the secrecy and sanctity of the "ballot." (Yes, I did like Noon, Ngayon, composed and interpreted by Rannie Raymundo and Dessa, he as composer/lyricist and she, co-lyricist, and I thought it would land in the Top 3).

And since I, too, felt like a winner, I want to thank several people, namely: Felipe L. Gozon, chairman of the Board of the GMA Foundation, Inc. which is spearheading the Metropop; Menardo R. Jimenez, president and chief executive officer of GMA Network, Inc.; Roberto V. Barreiro, chairman of the Metropop Song Festival management committee; Carmen Jimenez-Ong, executive director of the GMA Foundation, Inc.; Marla C. Teopaco, project director of Metropop; and everybody involved in the worthwhile project (Wilma Galvante, Mike Enriquez, etc.) The One Above for giving creative talent to the thousands who send in entries to Metropop.

Thanks to all of you!

Same time, same place, next year?