1M Grand prizewinners from left: Tippy Dos Santos, Yumi Lacsamana, Thyro Alfaro, QUEST and Sam Concepcion. The Phil Pop Music fest was held last July 20, 2013 at the MERALCO Theater. Photo by Jude Bautista
Written and Photographed
By Jude Bautista
The Philippine Pop Music Fest aims to give Original Pilipino Music a boost by discovering the best songwriters and promoting their work through competition. This year they changed this up by pairing the 12 finalists with more established artists. I was particularly amazed at how perfect the selections were. The talents discovered both in songwriting and performance shows that there is a huge potential and hope for OPM. There was never any doubt of the prevalence of musical talent in our country. We just desperately need a good venue that channels this talent into something productive where we Filipinos can support and promote them.
from left: Phil Pop Exec Dir. Ryan Cayabyab, Phil Pop Chairman Manny V. Pangilinan, Ney Dimaculangan, 1st Runner Up awardee Johnoy Danao (Kung Di man), Metro Pacific Investments Corp. Pres & CEO Joey S. Lim and MERALCO SVP Marketing & Customer Solutions Al S. Panlillo. The Phil Pop Music fest was held last July 20, 2013 at the MERALCO Theater. Photo by Jude Bautista
Christian Bautista is The Prince in RW Manila’s CINDERELLA. Christian interpreted ARAW ULAP LANGIT composed by Marlon Barnuevo. The Phil Pop Music fest was held last July 20, 2013 at the MERALCO Theater. Photo by Jude Bautista
Often, they would be songs that you would directly identify with the artists: Jose and Wally sang ASKAL by Ganny Brown, a very upbeat, humorous novelty song. Christian Bautista sang a very moving ballad composed by Marlon Barnuevo entitled ARAW, ULAP, LANGIT. Christian is cast as the Prince in Resort’s World Manila’s production of CINDERELLA coming this October.
Hosts Jasmine Curtis Smith will make her Cinemalaya debut in TRANSIT and Ogie Alcasid will have a 25th Anniversary concert this August 16. The Phil Pop Music fest was held last July 20, 2013 at the MERALCO Theater. Photo by Jude Bautista
Yael Yuzon of Spongecola interpreted SEGUNDO composed by Paul Armesin. The song won the MERALCO Special Award at the Phil Pop Music fest held last July 20, 2013 at the MERALCO Theater. Photo by Jude Bautista
Yael Yuzon interpreted SEGUNDO by Paul Armesin, which won the MERALCO Special Award which honors the entry that inspires nationalism. The fast rock song is very much like the material that comes from Yuzon’s band Spongecola. The same could be said for Raffy Calicdan’s SPACE which was interpreted by Kean Cipriano of Callalilly and another funky young performer in ANG BANDA NI KLEGGY.
from right: Kean Cipriano and Kleggy interpreted SPACE composed by Raffy Calicdan. The Phil Pop Music fest was held last July 20, 2013 at the MERALCO Theater. Photo by Jude Bautista
Karylle is the lead star in Resort’s World Manila’s CINDERELLA, she interpreted SAYO NA LANG AKO composed by Lara Maigue. The song landed in the top 5 of the Phil Pop Music fest 2013. The Phil Pop Music fest was held last July 20, 2013 at the MERALCO Theater. Photo by Jude Bautista
Every finalist had THE perfect interpreter. As far as performances go it was Karylle’s heart-rending interpretation of SAYO NA LANG AKO by the young and talented Lara Maigue who just happens to be a sophomore at the UP Conservatory of Music. Karylle gave the most emotional live performance not just of the night but perhaps the whole year. SAYO NA LANG AKO reached the Top 5. Karylle shared that she was able to use the emotional state for her lead character of CINDERELLA to be shown in RW Manila. The song is about a woman who is not able to express her true feelings for the man she loves.
from right: PLDT and SMART Chairman Manny V Pangilinan, Julianne, QUEST and SMART GILAS coach Chot Reyes. The Phil Pop Music fest was held last July 20, 2013 at the MERALCO Theater. Photo by Jude Bautista
1M Grand prizewinners from left: Tippy Dos Santos, Yumi Lacsaman, Thyro Alfaro and Sam Concepcion. The Phil Pop Music fest was held last July 20, 2013 at the MERALCO Theater. Photo by Jude Bautista
PHIL POP however is not a singing competition; it’s a songwriting competition. The overall message and music of Thyro Alfaro and Yumi Lacsamana’s DATI performed by Sam Concepcion, Tippy Dos Santos and rapper QUEST, won the hearts’ of the judges. DATI won the Grand prize of P1 million pesos, P500,000 for 1st Runner Up: KUNG DI MAN composed by Johnoy Danao performed by Ney Dimaculangan and P250,000 for 2nd Runner Up: PANSAMANTAGAL composed by Jungee Marcelo performed by Julianne Tarroja and Sitti Navarro.
Ney Dimaculangan interpreted the SMART People’s Choice awardee
KUNG DI MAN composed by Johnoy Danao. The Phil Pop Music fest was held last July 20, 2013 at the MERALCO Theater. Photo by Jude Bautista
from left: Sitti Navarro and Julianne Tarroja interpreted PANSAMANTAGAL composed by Jungee Marcelo. The Phil Pop Music fest was held last July 20, 2013 at the MERALCO Theater. Photo by Jude Bautista
It was a dramatic win for Thyro & Yumi who also reached the finals in the First Phil Pop Fest held last year. At first they were hesitant to have someone else interpret their work since they are primarily hip-hop performers as well. According to Thyro, “We initially wanted Gloc9 to do it but due to scheduling conflicts were not able to get him. When the name of QUEST the rapper came up, I realized he was an even better fit. And as you can see Sam and Tippy worked out for us too.”
Sam Concepcion and Tippy Dos Santos performed the 1M GRAND Prize winning song DATI composed by Thyro and Yumi. The Phil Pop Music fest was held last July 20, 2013 at the MERALCO Theater. Photo by Jude Bautista
5 of the prestigious 11 member panel of judges from left: Papa Jack of 90.7 Love Radio, URBANDUB’s Gabby Alipe, Ebe Dancel, Bacolod Mayor Monico Puentebella and SUN endorser Iya Villana. The Phil Pop Music fest was held last July 20, 2013 at the MERALCO Theater. Photo by Jude Bautista
The judges were composed of: Bacolod Mayor Monico Puentebella, Universal Records Prod. Jonathan Manalo, Iya Villana, TV5 Pres. Noel Lorenzana, Musical Director Gerard Salonga, Regine Velasquez, Noel Cabangon, Ebe Dancel, Sarah Meier, Gabby Alipe of URBANDUB, and Papa Jack of 90.7 Love Radio.
from right: PLDT and SMART Chairman Manny V Pangilinan, Universal Records General Mgr Kathleen Go and Unicap Managing Dir George Go. The Phil Pop Music fest was held last July 20, 2013 at the MERALCO Theater. Photo by Jude Bautista
Martin Nievera and Regine Velasquez were among the many star guest performers, which included Charice Pempengco, The Ryan Cayabyab Singers, The Company, 5AZ1, Baihana, The Opera, and beat box artist Myke Salomon. The Phil Pop Music fest was held last July 20, 2013 at the MERALCO Theater. Photo by Jude Bautista
As if the competition weren’t enough for an unforgettable show, guest artists included: Ogie Alcasid, Regine Velasquez, Martin Nievera, Charice Pempengco, The Ryan Cayabyab Singers, The Company, 5AZ1, Baihana, The Opera, and beat box artist Myke Salomon. From what I know the finals night has already been aired in TV5 but there SHOULD BE a replay of it.
from left: Ogie Alcasid sings with Charice and The Company. The Phil Pop Music fest was held last July 20, 2013 at the MERALCO Theater. Photo by Jude Bautista
from left: SMART Pres. and Chief adviser/ Pres. of SUN Doy Vea and Phil POP Pres. Ricky Vargas presented the Ramon Orlina sculpted trophy for grand prize winner Thyro and Yumi (DATI). The Phil Pop Music fest was held last July 20, 2013 at the MERALCO Theater. Photo by Jude Bautista
Philpop 2013 is presented by Meralco and Smart. It is co-presented by Maynilad, PLDT, and TV5. Major sponsors include NLEX, Sun Cellular, Jollibee, the First Pacific Leadership Academy, Metro Pacific Investments Corp., Philex, Sony, its media partners Business Mirror, Business World, Myx, Radio Republic, Rappler, RX 93.1, its production partners Eastwood Richmonde Hotel, Essensuals Tony and Guy, Megaworld Lifestyle Malls, Jing Monis Salon, and the Universal Records.
from left: ASKAL Composer Ganny Brown with Jose Manalo and Wally Bayola. The Phil Pop Music fest was held last July 20, 2013 at the MERALCO Theater. Photo by Jude Bautista
1M Grand Prize winners from left: composers Yumi, Thyro (DATI) with interpreters QUEST, Tippy Dos Santos and Sam Concepcion. The Phil Pop Music fest was held last July 20, 2013 at the MERALCO Theater. Photo by Jude Bautista
LIST of winners
Grand Prize Winner- P1M -DATI composed by Thyro and Yumi
performed by Sam Concepcion Tippy Dos Santos FEAT Quest
1st Runner Up- P500,000- KUNG DI MAN composed by Johnoy Danao
performed by Ney Dimaculangan
2nd Runner Up- P250,000 - PANSAMANTAGAL composed by Jungee Marcelo
peformed by Julianne Tarroja and Sitti Navarro
From left: Julianne Tarroja, 2nd Runner Up awardee Jungee Marcelo, Sitti Navarro, Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. Pres. &CEO Ramoncito S. Fernandez and Exec Dir of First Pacific Leadership Academy Roy Agustin K. Evalle. The Phil Pop Music fest was held last July 20, 2013 at the MERALCO Theater. Photo by Jude Bautista
Their dreams come true: Karylle (right) is the lead star in Resort’s World Manila’s CINDERELLA, she interpreted SAYO NA LANG AKO composed by Lara Maigue (left). The song landed in the top 5 of the Phil Pop Music fest 2013. The Phil Pop Music fest was held last July 20, 2013 at the MERALCO Theater. Photo by Jude Bautista
Top 5
—SAYO NA LANG AKO by Lara Maigue performed by Karylle
—DATI by Thyro and Yumi performed by Sam Concepcion Tippy Dos Santos and Quest
—PANSAMANTAGAL composed by Jungee Marcelo performed by Julianne Tarroja and Sitti Navarro
—KUNG DI MAN composed by Johnoy Danao performed by Ney Dimaculangan
—PAPEL composed by Joey Ayala performed by Joey Ayala, Denise Barbaceña and DJ Silverfilter (Cyril Sorongon)
Denise Barbaceña and PAPEL composer Joey Ayala at the Phil Pop Music fest was held last July 20, 2013 at the MERALCO Theater. Photo by Jude Bautista
from left: MERALCO Pres. and CEO Oscar Reyes hands the MERALCO Special Award to Paul Armesin (SEGUNDO) interpreted by Yael Yuzon of Spongecola. The Phil Pop Music fest was held last July 20, 2013 at the MERALCO Theater. Photo by Jude Bautista
Special Awards:
SMART People’s Choice award- got most number of text votes from SMART SUN and TALK N TEXT
—KUNG DI MAN composed by Johnoy Danao performed by Ney Dimaculangan
MERALCO Special Award- Pagmamalasakit sa Bayan
—SEGUNDO composed by Paul Armesin interpreted by Yael Yuzon of Spongecola
from left: Songwriter Myrus Apacible (SANA PINATAY MO NA LANG AKO) with interpreter and YouTube sensation Kimpoy Feliciano. The Phil Pop Music fest was held last July 20, 2013 at the MERALCO Theater. Photo by Jude Bautista
Six Part Invention- Rey Cantong and Kaye Malana-Cantong interpreted TIME MACHINE composed by Kenneth Faraon. The Phil Pop Music fest was held last July 20, 2013 at the MERALCO Theater. Photo by Jude Bautista
from right: Ace Libre of Never The Strangers interpreted SOMETIMES THAT HAPPENS composed by NiñoRegalado and Adrienne Sarmiento. The Phil Pop Music fest was held last July 20, 2013 at the MERALCO Theater. Photo by Jude Bautista
from left: DDB Group Phl Pres.&CEO Gil Chua, PLDT and SMART Chairman Manny V Pangilinan, Phil Pop Associate Exec. Dir Patricia Hizon and former PLDT SMART Foundation Pres. Butch Meily. The Phil Pop Music fest was held last July 20, 2013 at the MERALCO Theater. Photo by Jude Bautista
Raimund Marasigan was in a Pacquiao jacket when Sandwich performed. The Phil Pop Music fest was held last July 20, 2013 at the MERALCO Theater. Photo by Jude Bautista
New Look Charice performed at the Phil Pop Music fest held last July 20, 2013 at the MERALCO Theater. Photo by Jude Bautista
Foreground from right: Poppert Bernadas and Celine Fabie are part of the KATY MUSICAL currently running also at the MERALCO Theater. The Phil Pop Music fest was held last July 20, 2013 at the MERALCO Theater. Photo by Jude Bautista
Myke Salomon is the male lead in TANGHALANG Pilipino’s IBALONG. He beat boxed for the aca pella performance of The Company, The Ryan Cayabyab Singers etc. The Phil Pop Music fest was held last July 20, 2013 at the MERALCO Theater. Photo by Jude Bautista
Karylle is the lead star in Resort’s World Manila’s CINDERELLA, she interpreted SAYO NA LANG AKO composed by Lara Maigue. The song landed in the top 5 of the Phil Pop Music fest 2013. The Phil Pop Music fest was held last July 20, 2013 at the MERALCO Theater. Photo by Jude Bautista
