The two music institutions have recently launched PhilPop Himig Handog Songwriting Festival, an initiative that champions the next wave of recording superstars and industry titans.
The PhilPop Himig Handog Songwriting Festival remains steadfast in its commitment to nurturing the next generation of music industry professionals and fostering the growth of future hitmakers. The festival’s dedication to sustainable and top-notch mentorship programs sets it apart as a collaborative endeavor between renowned songwriting institutions, PhilPop and Himig Handog.
The journey began with the Digicamp series, a thoughtfully crafted program aimed at honing the talents and skillsets of aspiring participants across various aspects of the music industry. Through meticulously designed workshops, the program covers songwriting, music arrangement and recording, branding, marketing, career development, and intellectual property, providing a comprehensive and holistic learning experience.
Over a span of two months, the festival hosted training sessions and songwriting classes, nurturing and refining the talents of the most promising industry hopefuls. Following an intense selection process, 12 exceptional entries have been chosen to advance to the main competition, representing the cream of the crop in the country’s top songwriting competition.
With the combination of dedicated mentorship, innovative workshops, and a platform that showcases the best talents, the PhilPop Himig Handog Songwriting Festival continues to be a catalyst for creativity and growth in the music industry, shaping the future of Philippine music with each passing year.
In alphabetical order, here are the finalists who made it to the PhilPop Himig Handog Songwriting Festival:
Luzon / Bulacan: Rinz Ruiz – “Papahiram”
Luzon / Laguna: Francis Contemplacion – “ATM”
Metro Manila: Tiara Cinco – “Wag Paglaruan”
Metro Manila: Kevin Yadao – “Ghostwriter”
Metro Manila: Rob Angeles – “MHWG”
Metro Manila: Geca Morales – “Langit Lupa”
Metro Manila: Alvin Serrito – “Kurba”
Visayas / Bacolod: Shantel Lapatha – “Tulala”
Visayas / Cebu: Relden Campanilla – “Dili Nalang”
Visayas / Cebu: Jimmy Grajo – “Salamat (Nga Wala Na Ta)”
Visayas / Bohol: Keith Quito – “Buhi”
Mindanao / Davao: Maric Gavino – “Taliwala”
The selection process for the entries was rigorous, involving multiple rounds of adjudication led by a distinguished panel of Board Members, producers, key leaders, renowned songwriters, and decision-makers associated with PhilPop and Himig Handog.
ABS-CBN Music Creative Director, Jonathan Manalo, sheds light on the criteria used to pick the top songs. Quality in terms of songwriting and composition was paramount, ensuring that the entries met the high standards set by both PhilPop and Himig Handog. Furthermore, the effectiveness of applying lessons and insights from the PhilPop Himig Handog DigiCamp was taken into consideration, challenging the participants to push the boundaries of Filipino pop music. The appeal and marketability of the entries were also factored in, aiming for the top songs to resonate with a wide range of Filipino music enthusiasts.
The collaboration between PhilPop and Himig Handog in this year’s festival promises an even more significant and daring event. With their combined resources and expertise, the aim is to bring export-ready Pinoy Pop to a global audience, commanding cultural conversations beyond borders. The project aspires to promote Original Pinoy Music (OPM) on an unprecedented scale, breaking new territories and captivating international audiences with music that is both distinctively global and authentically Pinoy.
According to PHILPOP Executive Director Dinah Remolacio, the batch of finalists is an exciting showcase of the immense talent and brilliance of Filipino songwriters. Expect a diverse range of songs in style, representation, and languages, among other aspects. Longtime fans of both PhilPop and Himig Handog can look forward to fresh tracks that have the potential to expand the fanbase of Filipino Pop music. The Top 12 Finalists’ songs reflect the current pulse and latest trends in Filipino Pop Music.
The PhilPop Himig Handog Songwriting Festival is a joint initiative of Himig Handog and PhilPop Music Foundation. The event remains committed to innovative approaches in music-making and songwriting that meet international standards. Co-presented by Maynilad, Smart Communications, Inc., and TuneCore, this year’s game-changing festival sets out to leave a lasting impact on the music industry and uphold the excellence of Filipino songwriting and music-making.
