TOP 14 Finalists of PhilPOP Music Festival Revealed

OPM is alive and kicking as locals and foreign-based Pinoys join PhilPOP to become the next big Filipino songwriter.

A record-breaking 3,000 song entries, not just from the Philippines but Filipinos based in other parts of the world including the United Kingdom, France, Canada and neighboring Asian countries such as  Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong, beat the deadline to submit their entries for the first ever Philippine Popular Music Festival’s (PhilPOP) search for the next, big Filipino songwriter.

The overwhelming local and global response to send entries for the competition is a clear indication that Original Pilipino Music (OPM) is indeed still very much alive – all that is really needed is the right vehicle to showcase their talents.


PhilPOP is composed of respected local artists and prominent personalities from various industries brought together by a shared vision—to spark renewed pride and enthusiasm in OPM and bring about another golden age in Philippine music.


With the entries screened, reviewed and segregated, the million peso question now is who will make it to the coveted top 14?

The Top 14 are: Himig ng Panahon by Timothy Anjello Alfaro, Bigtime by Trina Belamide,Dulo ng Dila by Noah Zuñiga Cabalquinto, Slowdancing by John Kennard Eleazar Faraon,Minsa’y Isang Bansa by Gary Granada, Brown by James B. Leyte and Jezreel S. De Oca, Kesa by Edwin B. Marollano, Piso by Kristofferson B. Melecio, 3:00 AM by Keiko Necesario, Takusa by Byron Ricamara, Tayo Tayo Lang by Ronaldo Sorioso, Kontrabidaby Soc Villanueva, Negastar by Michael Angelo Santos Villegas, and Bawat Hakbang by Karl Vincent Villuga.

Song Title	Music	Lyrics
Himig Ng Panahon	Timothy Anjello Alfaro	Timothy Anjello Alfaro
Bigtime	Trina Belamide	Trina Belamide
Dulo ng Dila	Noah Zuniga Cabalquinto	Noel Zuniga Cabalquinto
Slowdancing	John Kennard Eleazar Faraon	John Kennard Eleazar Faraon
Minsa'y Isang Bansa	Gary Granada	Gary Granada
Brown	James B. Leyte & Jezreel S. De Oca	James B. Leyte
Kesa	Edwin B. Marollano	Edwin B. Marollano
Piso	Kristofferson B. Melecio	Kristofferson B. Melecio
3:00am	Keiko Necesario	Keiko Necesario
Takusa	Byron Ricamara	Byron Ricamara
Tayo Tayo Lang	Ronaldo M. Sorioso	Ronaldo M. Sorioso
Kontrabida	Soc Villanueva	Soc Villanueva
Negastar	Michael Angelo Santos Villegas	Michael Angelo Santos Villegas
Bawat Hakbang	Karl Vincent H. Villuga	Karl Vincent H. Villuga

At the press conference held recently, the 14 finalists were finally announced to the general public.  Come July 14, 2012, these top 14 will showcase their compositions through the final performance and competition to be held at the Plenary Hall of the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC).

Mr. Ryan Cayabyab,Music Maestro and PhilPOP Executive Director

Music maestro and PhilPOP executive director Ryan Cayabyab said, “We want to thank all our kababayans who shared their compositions with us. The mere fact that we received this overwhelming response for the very first Philippine Popular Music Festival is a victory not only for OPM (Original Pilipino Music) but more so, for the Filipino people.”

Cayabyab, whose music career, starting out as an amateur songwriter, was propelled by a song writing competition, added, “This is an exciting time for the local music industry. With PhilPOP, we are helping shape the future landscape of OPM. The talent and the potential of the Filipino songwriter have always been there. We have proven it many times over. Now, the next step is to shine the spotlight on the best of the best.”

The country has indeed profited from other renowned songwriters whose significant compositions were borne out of song writing competitions including Jose Mari Chan ("Can we Just Stop and Talk Awhile", which incidentally was also entered in the World Popular Music Festival in Tokyo, “Hahanapin Ko”, “Minsan Pa”) Nonong Pedero (“Narito Ako”, “Isang Mundo, Isang Awit”), George Canseco (“Ako ang Nasawi, Ako ang Nagwagi”), Louie Ocampo (“Ewan”), Snaffu Rigor (Bulag, Pipi at Bingi”) and Freddie Aguilar whose seminal hit “Anak” went on to become one of the country’s most popular and well-loved songs.

The top winning entry will receive P1 million in cash and two runners-up will each receive P500,000 and P250,000 respectively.  A People’s Choice award will also be given to the most popular entry as decided by text votes.

The Philippine Popular Music Festival is jointly presented by Maynilad, Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT), and Smart.  Major sponsors are Meralco, Resorts World Manila and TV5.  Other sponsors are Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC), Sun Cellular, First Pacific Leadership Academy (FPLA), Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC), and Philex Mining Corporation.  Media partners are KBP, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Philippine Star and Radio High.  

PhilPop recently released an official statement regarding some concerns.

For updates on the results, visit PhilPop.com.ph

Here's the PhilPOP Top 14 Compilation.