It’s Philpop time again

Time now to brush up those songwriting skills anew. Philpop, the country’s leading music competition, is back for another exciting round. Philpop or the Philippine Popular Music Festival started accepting entries last Dec. 15, 2014 and will continue to do so until Feb. 28.

As it was these past three years, there are no categories for entries. In fact, experimentations with various types of music are encouraged. As executive director Maestro Ryan Cayabyab puts it. “The goal of Philpop is to open the door for refreshing, meaningful new music to find a larger audience. The songs can come from any genre. We encourage experimentation.”

At stake for the winners are cash prizes in the amount of P1M for the grand prize, P500,000 for the first runner-up and P250,000 for the second runner-up. All of the finalists will also get P50,000 each.

But over and above these and of the much-coveted Ramon Orlina trophies is the fact that the 12 finalists will all be produced and released into the market in a special commemorative album. To top it all, videos of every finalist will also be produced.

Songs, before they become hits and later classics, need to be heard. This is what is most important. At a time when the music industry is struggling against assorted market forces and during which it has become very difficult for songs to break into the mainstream, the chance to get one’s song heard, and massively at that, is the best thing that can happen to any songwriter.

The contest is open to both professional and amateur composers who are of Filipino parentage or who hold a Filipino citizenship. Each songwriter is allowed to submit two original works that have never been published or performed in public or entered into other song contests. This rule covers all media and violation can result in disqualification.

Philpop along with experts from the local music industry will listen to every entry and choose 12 finalists. Philpop will also choose the suitable interpreters for the songs. These are the entries that will go into the album. After a period of promotions, these will be performed live on the finals night that will be held in July. This is where the winners will be chosen and announced.

Previous grand prize winners include Bawat Hakbang composed by Karl Villuga and performed by Mark Bautista and the Akafellas in the first Philpop competition in 2012. This was followed by Dati, which was written by Thyro Alfaro and Yumi Lacsamana and which was interpreted by Sam Concepcion and Tippy Dos Santos with Quest in 2013. Last year’s champ was Salbabida composed by Jungee Marcelo and sung by Kyla.

Philpop executive director Ryan Cayabyab

Philpop is an initiative of the Manny V. Pangilinan group of companies which established the Philpop MusicFest Foundation in 2012. The aim of the foundation is to catalyze the revival of original Filipino music in recognition of the key role music plays in our culture and national identity.

Log on to the Philpop website for the full mechanics and the instructions on how to send your entries. Do so now if you have songs in you just waiting to be heard. And don’t be hard on yourself. As the old song says, “Don’t worry that it’s not good enough for anyone else to hear, just sing…” Make it loud and strong. For all you know, your composition might just be what Philpop is looking for.

Still on original Filipino music. Here to close the book on the year just passed are the Top 20 videos of 2014 in the Pinoy MYX Countdown of the MYX music channel. On the No. 1 spot is Sarah Geronimo with Tayo, a cut from her Expressions album. Here are the others that made it to the Top 20 hit list:

Takipsilim by Gloc-9 feat. Regine Velasquez-Alcasid; This Love Is Like by Toni Gonzaga; Kunwa-Kunwari Lang by Kyla; Right Where You Belong by Julie Anne San Jose; Simpleng Tulad Mo by Daniel Padilla; No Erase by James Reid and Nadine Lustre; Bahala Na also by James Reid and Nadine Lustre; Ikaw by Yeng Constantino; +63 by Sponge Cola feat. Yeng Constantino.

Dedma by Abra and Julie Anne San Jose; Kislap by Kamikazee; Dito Na Lang by Kyla; Do The Moves by Sarah Geronimo, apl.de.ap and Enrique Gil; Businessman by Gloc-9 feat. Vinci Montaner; Mahal Ko O Mahal Ako by KZ Tandingan; Bawal Sa Gamot by Banda ni Kleggy; Anting-Anting by Sponge Cola featuring Gloc-9 and Denise Barbacena; Unshakable by Slapshock; and Midas by Abra feat. Jaq Dionisio.

And to open the New Year, here is the first Pinoy MYX Countdown for 2015: You Don’t Know Me by Kathryn Bernardo; Kilometro by Sarah Geronimo; Tulad Mo by Julie Ann San Jose; Mr. Antipatiko by Nadine Lustre; Somebody To Love by Darren Espanto; Runaway Baby by Juan Karlos Labajo; Diwata by Abra feat. Chito Miranda; Pangarap Na Bituin by Lyca Gairanod; Islands In The Stream by Kean and Eunice; What’s Up Ahead by Yeng Constantino feat. Yan Asuncion.

Mahal Kita Pramis by Banda Ni Kleggy; Dedma by Abra and Julie Anne San Jose; Parachute by Jay-R; Chinito Problems by Enchong Dee; Girl On Fire by Darlene Vibares; All Of Me by Sabrina; Idol Ko by Kylie Padilla and Mike Swift; Hatid Sundo by Gimme 5; Kwek Kwek Song by P.A.R.D.; and We Are All God’s Children by Jamie Rivera.