All-male battle in ASOP Finals year 7

MANILA, Philippines — Women groups may notice but no one is likely to make a formal complaint. 

The recent A Song Of Praise (ASOP) presscon to promote this year’s grand finals turned out to be a venue to discuss with some curious smiles one odd detail that makes this edition different from the previous ones: all finalists are males. 

“It’s interesting,” quickly reacted host Richard Reynoso when The STAR pointed out the coincidence. 

It meant that all monthly winners from November last year to October this year belong to the same gender. Pure coincidence. 

Resident judge Mon del Rosario mused, “Mukha lang silang lahat lalaki. (They all just look like men).” 

It was obvious there was no particular explanation as to why it happened. Women, as insiders informed, were represented well throughout the run. Reynoso chipped in with a half-meant joke, “Ibig sabihin lang ang makasalanan ay mga lalaki. (It shows that men are more sinful).” 

It’s actually a small detail to make note of, among others, in ASOP’s Year 7 finale.

This particular crop features four returnees from past tiffs, namely, Rommel Gojo (Di Na Ako Aawit), Oliver Ngarag (Wag Kang Bibitiw), Emmanuel Lipio Jr. (God Is With Us), and Joyner Dizon (Makikita Kita). 

Gojo, whose entry is noticed for having the saddest title, revealed, “I chose such title because my wife died and I was emotionally struggling. But I am thankful the Lord did not abandon me in life.” 

Only God Is With Us is the lone English song, while three of the Tagalog tracks carry one-word titles: John Paul Salazar’s Tugtog, Jeffrey Lim’s Hiling and Joel Jabelosa’s Pagbabalik. 

But while there may be certain scenarios, none of it is more meaningful than the realization that ASOP has found its rhythm in seven years of staging, with a clear niche and audience that should mean more years to offer. 

“As we go along, the competition has become more competitive. I am surprised that even newbies deliver entries of great quality beyond expectations,” shared Del Rosario who has been in the song festival since year 1. 

The seasoned songwriter, whose track record includes a Metropop grand winner (Sino Ang Baliw) and the Imelda Papin hit (Isang Linggong Pag-ibig), has developed the reputation of being frank and critical which for him comes with the job. 

“I think I’m a doctor who cure songs and I offer solutions when I criticize,” he reasoned. 

The rest of the competing finalists are Edward Salde (Isang Milyong Pasasalamat), Jett Villareal (Binago Mo Ako), Febs Colibao (Magpatuloy sa Paggawa), LJ Manzano (Banal Mong Salita), and the duo of Elmar Jan Bolano and Rex Torremoro (Salamat Panginoon). 

The line-up of interpreters makes the contest more interesting with at least four being stars in their own right, namely, Marcelito Pomoy, Daryl Ong, Gian Magdangal and Mark Carpio. There are also two rising groups, Plethora and Bradz. 

Del Rosario noted, “What makes ASOP different is the nature of the show to be a songwriting school on air. We developed the songs and from the time they get properly recorded the tracks are already in their best level of creation.”

All previous ASOP finalists songs can now be accessed in regular digital format. 

This year’s finals is set tonight at 7 at the New Frontier Theater, Araneta Center, in Cubao, Quezon City. The grand winner gets half a milllion tax-free. The Best Interpreter and the People’s Choice will also be awarded. 

The voting for the latter ends today at 12 noon. Visit https://www.asoptv.com/poll to vote once per day using Facebook and Twitter accounts.