Philpop finalists release album

The Philippine Pop Music Festival 2014 or Philpop has entered its last leg. Like what happens in the final round of beauty contests, all of the previous scores of the 12 finalists have now been erased. With the release of the competition’s commemorative album, the entries are back to equal footing. They are now ready to be judged by the public and by a few knowledgeable souls deemed capable of picking out which ones will be tomorrow’s classics. 

This will not be easy. The songs are a motley lot with entries ranging from rock to R&B, rap and the good old sentimental ballad. Which ones to choose? Then also, the ragtag batch that made it to the finals has now been turned into sleek pop recordings by some of our most skillful producers and interpreted by also a very diverse line-up of talents. 

Admittedly, a song is just a song. It needs a producer to turn it into a hit and I must say that these finalists were truly fortunate to have received such tender love and care at the recording studio. I say, hats off to the producers. Great job, guys. Wish I had all your names. But you just made judging the entries more difficult. 

Now, I am thinking, isn’t it about time that Philpop made the move to also honor the work of the producers at the studio and maybe also those of the arrangers and the interpreters? After all, they did work that impacted on the originals and will now surely affect the course of the final judging.

But those suggestions are all for future Philpops. Note that everybody is hoping that the contest will stay on for years and years to come. But for now, it is all about the songs, which are now available exclusively on SPINNR, the Philippines’ first music streaming service. Go to spinnr.ph or get the mobile app for Android and iOS devices. Then, hopefully, the songs will also later be heard on radio, on TV shows and other digital sites.

And the Philpop 2014 contenders are:

NGSB (No Girlfriend Since Break) by singer/songwriter Davey Langit, who is the guy behind the big hit, Selfie Song. Interpreter is the singer/songwriter and VJ Luigi D’Avola.

The Only One by Venelyn San Pedro, who is also known as Popsie and is the daughter of one of the country’s leading hitmakers, Vehnee Saturno. Singing her song is R&B singer/songwriter, vocal coach and The Voice finalist, Thor.

Awit Mo’y Nandito Pa by the multi-talented singer, composer and arranger Ronaldo Sorioso, who was the first runnner-up in Philpop 2012 with Tayo Tayo Lang. He has two entries in the finals this year. Performing will be the YouTube sensations Aldrich, singer and James, guitarist, whose music has gone from their B’laan tribal community to The Ellen DeGeneres Show and now also to Philpop.

Torpe by Daryl Ong, who is the lead singer of the group Voices of 5. It will be performed by Kris Lawrence, who has established himself as a singer, songwriter, producer and actor.

Babalikan Mo Rin Ako by Soc Villanueva, veteran hitmaker and competition winner, Kung Ako Na Lang Sana and Philpop 2012 second runner-up for Kontrabida. Interpreter is Nikki Gil, a popular singer, actress, TV host, model and VJ.

Song On A Broken String by Jude Gitamondoc and Therese Marie Villarante, who are Cebu-based songwriters and first-time Philpop finalists. Interpreter is Nicole Asensio, lead singer of the rock band General Luna.

 Salbabida by Jungee Marcelo, a recording industry veteran with numerous hits to his credit. He placed second in Philpop 2013. His entry about having a Savior and a lifeline will be performed by the multi-awarded and hugely popular Kyla.

Dear Heart by Mike Villegas, who is a former member of the legendary band, Rizal Underground. His song marks the career debut of Kiana Valenciano, the lovely daughter of Gary and Angeli V.

Hangout Lang by Allan Feliciano and Isaac Joseph Garcia, who are accomplished writers and arrangers of advertising jingles. Performing the song will be former South Border lead singer Duncan Ramos and rapper Young JV.

Qrush On You by James Palma a.k.a. Flava Matikz and Cedric Knowa Lazarus of the group Qyork. Their entry will be interpreted by Francis M’s son, Elmo Magalona and local R&B king and big-selling artist, Jay-R.

Kung Akin Ang Langit by newscaster Cecilia Bocobo and composer and arranger Isaac Joseph Garcia. Mccoy Fundales of the defunct band Orange and Lemons sings this as a duet with Clara Benin, talented daughter of Side A founding member, Joey Benin. 

And Langit Umaawit also by Ronaldo Sorioso. The ballad gets the heartthrob treatment from Tom Rodriguez. The star of the TV melodrama My Husband’s Lover also sings and made his career breakthrough in the title role in the Disney musical Aladdin.

The winner of Philpop 2014 will be announced after the final competition on July 26 at the Meralco Theater. Until then, please listen closely and keep in mind Philpop Foundation executive director Ryan Cayabyab’s rule for choosing the winner. Look for the song that touches you. We will soon know which of these songs will touch most everybody.