Philpop reveals 2018 interpreters

Digital platforms are getting a windfall this week. Philpop, the country’s premier songwriting competition, is releasing the 30 semi-finalists of Philpop 2018 into the market. This means that Filipino music will receive a most powerful energy booster with these new recordings. Why that number is so much more than what local music labels make available every week. And I believe that out of this batch, produced and distributed by Viva Music will surely come the big hits of the year’s final quarter.

But before that, just last week, on Sept. 12, Philpop revealed and presented to the media the interpreters of those 30 songs. Just like the entries, the variety of song stylings by the artists this year is truly remarkable. There are balladeers, soulful and powerful, rockers, rappers, bouncy pop youngsters and affecting folk singers. It is most remarkable that the 30 songs found just the right interpreters who can best express the sentiments of the songwriters. And there are also artists from the Southern Philippines, like Cebu, Davao, Bacolod, Iloilo who will now be getting national exposure thanks to Philpop.

The following songwriters have chosen to interpret their entries themselves. Who knows, there might be another Freddie Aguilar or Rey Valera among them. Michael Llave of Quezon City, NCR for Bumbero; Ferdinand Aragon of Cebu City for Di Ko Man; Russ Narcies Cabico of Quezon City for LDR (Layong ‘Di Ramdam); Kyle Pulido of Davao City, Davao del Sur for LGBT (Laging Ganito Ba Tayo?); Carlo Angelo David of Quezon City for Makisabay; Nanay Tatay by Teodoro Festejo III of Davao City, Davao del Sur; Unang Adlaw Nga Wala Ka by Therese Marie Villarante and Henrick James Pestano of Talisay City, Cebu performed by Therese herself; Utang by Ignacio Dennis Roxas of Malolos, Bulacan.

And now, here are the fortunate interpreters entrusted with these Philpop entries: Davey Langit for AEIOU by Kenneth John Pores of General Trias, Cavite; Feel Day feat. Hans Dimayuga for Ako Ako by Jeriko Buenafe of Taguig, NCR; Wincet Jacot and Medyo Maldito for Away Wa’y Buwagay by Eamarie Gilayo and Jovit Leonario of Davao City, Davao del Sur; RJ de la Fuente for Ikaw Ang Aking Pag-ibig by Mark Jay Felipe of Guimba, Nueva Ecija; Jex de Castro for Isang Gabing Pag-ibig by Carlo Angelo David; Acapellago for Kariton by Philip Arvin Jarilla of Antipolo City, Rizal; Ataska and Nash Lorca for Kelan Kaya? by Sarah Bulahan of Mandaluyong City, NCR; Carlyn Ocampo and Joshua Feliciano for Kilabi by Karlo Frederico Zabala of Valenzuela City, NCR;

Leanne and Naara for Korde Kodigo by Jeremy Sarmiento of Davao City, Davao del Sur; Cacai Bautista for Laon Ako by Elmar Jan Bolano and Donel Transporto of Tigbauan, Iloilo; Bayang Barrios and Niliyagan for Lilipad by Agatha Morallos and Melvin Joseph Morallos; the bennybunnyband for Loco De Amor! by Edgardo Miraflor, Jr. of Bacolod City, Negros Occidental; Caleb Santos for Mahirap Magselos by Paul Hildawa of Makati City, NCR; Nitro for Malilimutan Din Kita by Marvin Blue Corpuz of Koronadal, South Cotabato; Jeric Medina for MMRA by Oliver Narag of Valenzuela City; Thyro Amparo for Oka by Michael Angelo Aplacador;

Gem Cubil for Perfectly Imperfect Human by Barry Villacarillo of Lapu-lapu City, Cebu; Julian Trono for Pilipit (Paano Sasabihing Mahal Kita) by Sean Gabriel Cedro and John Ray Reodique of Antipolo City; Yumi Lacsamana for Promise Sorry Note by Michael Angelo Aplacador of Pateros, NCR; The Juans for Pwede also by Agatha Morallos and Melvin Joseph Morallos; Katrina Velarde for Tama Na by Michael Rodriguez and Jeanne Columbine Rodriguez of Makati City; and Eunice Jorge of Gracenote for Yun Tayo by Donnalyn Onilongo. 

Only 10 of these 30 songs will advance to the finals. They will be judged according to the following criteria: 50-percent judges screening, 25-percent online streaming and 25-percent Smart People Choice Award voting through SMS and Twitter’s conversational ad. The Top 10 finalists will be revealed via Philpop’s social media pages and website on Oct. 22.

Log on now to www.philpop.com.ph for the complete instruction on how to vote for your favorite songs via SMS or Twitter. And keep listening to them on Spotify, watching the lyric videos on YouTube, download them, stream them, get this awesome, refreshing chunk of Filipino music off to the top of the hit charts.