The Philippine Popular Music Festival (also known as Philpop) is an annual songwriting competition organized by the Philpop MusicFest Foundation and was launched in 2012.[1] The creation of the festival was inspired by the defunct Metro Manila Popular Music Festival.[2] The foundation itself is headed by the chairman Manny V. Pangilinan, executive director Ryan Cayabyab and administrator and communications director Patricia Bermudez-Hizon.[3] The competition is only open to original and previously unreleased songs in English, Filipino and other Philippine languages.[4] Since its inception, it has been airing annually in TV5.
There are three prizes given: Grand Prize (₱1,000,000), 2nd Prize (₱500,000) and 3rd Prize (₱250,000). An additional award is given named Smart People's Choice Award (₱200,000), which is the most popular song based on the text votes sent by the people. People who win these prizes also receive trophies while the defeated finalists each receive ₱50,000 and a plaque.
In its first year, the festival has received many controversies regarding to its finalists and its rules.[5] [6] On its second year, all the interpreters were able to film music videos for their respective song entries.[7] [8] [9]
Viva Records released the compilation albums of the PhilPop Music Festival finalists.[10]
In 2020, the Philpop Foundation formed a partnership with Warner Music Philippines and telecommunications company Smart Communications for its 2020 Edition of the competition.
| Result | Song | Composer/s[12] | Interpreter/s[13] | Special Awards | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | "3 AM" | Keiko Necesario | Marié Digby | — | |
| Grand Winner | "Bawat Hakbang" (Every Step) | Karl Villuga | Mark Bautista & Akafellas | — | |
| — | "Bigtime" | Trina Belamide | Baihana | — | |
| — | "Brown" | James Leyte | Brownman Revival & James Leyte | Smart People's Choice Award | |
| — | "Dulo ng Dila" (End of the Tongue) | Noah Zuñiga | Jay R & Deejay Poblete | — | |
| — | "Himig ng Panahon" (Melody of Generation) | Thyro Alfaro | Duncan Ramos, Luke Mejares, Loonie, Thyro & Yumi | — | |
| — | "Kesa" | Edwin Marollano | Daniel Grospe | — | |
| 2nd Runner-up | "Kontrabida" (Villain) | Soc Villanueva | Sam Concepcion | — | |
| — | "Minsa'y Isang Bansa" (Sometimes One Country) | Gary Granada | Gary Granada | — | |
| — | "Negastar" | Mike Villegas | Cathy Go | — | |
| — | "Piso" (Peso) | Kristofferson Melecio | Joey Ayala | — | |
| — | "Slowdancing" | Kennard Faraon | Nyoy Volante | — | |
| — | "Takusa" | Byron Ricamara | Rocksteddy | — | |
| 1st Runner-up | "Tayo-tayo Lang" (Only Between Us) | Toto Sorioso | Ebe Dancel | — |
| Result[15] | Song | Composer/s[16] | Interpreter/s[17] | Special Award/s[18] [19] | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | "Araw, Ulap, Langit" (Sun, Clouds, Heaven) | Marlon Barnuevo | Christian Bautista | — | |
| — | "Askal" | Ganny Brown | Jose Manalo & Wally Bayola | — | |
| Grand Winner | "Dati" (Ever Since) | Thyro Alfaro & Yumi Lacsamana | Sam Concepcion & Tippy Dos Santos feat. Quest | — | |
| 1st Runner-up | "Kung 'Di Man" (If It's Not) | Johnoy Danao | Ney Dimaculangan | Smart People's Choice Award | |
| 2nd Runner-up | "Pansamantagal" | Jungee Marcelo | Sitti & Julianne Tarroja | — | |
| — | "Papel" (Paper) | Joey Ayala | Joey Ayala & Gloc-9 feat. Denise Barbacena | — | |
| — | "Sana Pinatay Mo Na Lang Ako" (How I Wish You Just Killed Me) | Myrus Apacible | Kimpoy Feliciano | — | |
| — | "Sa'yo Na Lang Ako" (Let Me Be Yours) | Lara Maigue | Karylle | — | |
| — | "Segundo" (Second) | Paul Armesin | Yael Yuzon | Meralco Special Award | |
| — | "Sometimes That Happens" | Adrienne Buenaventura & Niño Regalado | Ace Libre | — | |
| — | "Space" | Raffy Calicdan | Kean Cipriano & Banda ni Kleggy | — | |
| — | "Time Machine" | Kennard Faraon | Six Part Invention | — |
Note: This song replaced Marion Aunor's entry, "Do, Do, Do", after Aunor backed out for personal reasons and her talent management decision.[20]
| Result | Song | Composer/s | Interpreter/s[21] | Special Award | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Runner-up | "Awit Mo'y Nandito Pa" (Your Song's Still There) | Toto Sorioso | Aldrich Talonding & James Bucong | — | |
| — | "Babalikan Mo Rin Ako" (You Will Return to Me) | Soc Villanueva | Nikki Gil | — | |
| — | "Dear Heart" | Mike Villegas | Kiana Valenciano | — | |
| — | "Hangout Lang" (Hangout Only) | Allan Feliciano & Isaac Garcia | Duncan Ramos & Young JV | — | |
| — | "Kung Akin Lang Ang Langit" (If Heaven Is Only Mine) | Cecilia Bocobo & Isaac Garcia | Mcoy Fundales & Clara Benin | Spinnr People's Choice Award | |
| — | "Langit Umaawit" (Heaven Sings) | Toto Sorioso | Tom Rodriguez | — | |
| — | "NGSB (No Girlfriend Since Break)" | Davey Langit | Luigi D' Avola | — | |
| — | "Qrush On You" | Flava Matikz & Knowa Lazarus | Jay R, Elmo Magalona & Q-York | — | |
| Grand Winner | "Salbabida" (Life Saver) | Jungee Marcelo | Kyla | — | |
| — | "Song On A Broken String" | Jude Gitamondoc & Therese Villarante | Nicole Laurel Asensio | — | |
| — | "The Only One" | Venelyn San Pedro | Thor Dulay | — | |
| 2nd Runner-up | "Torpe Song" | Daryl Ong | Kris Lawrence | — |
| Result | Song | Composer/s | Interpreter/s | Special Award/s | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | "Walang Hanggan" (Forever) | Ramiru Mataro | Ramiru Mataro & Donnalyn Bartolome | — | |
| — | "Musikaw" (Song and You) | Melchor Magno | James Reid feat. Pio | — | |
| — | "I Owe You My Heart" | MJ Morallos | Anja Aguilar | — | |
| Grand Winner | "Triangulo" (Triangle) | Thyro Alfaro & Yumi Lacsamana | Thyro Alfaro, Yumi Lacsamana & Jeric Medina | — | |
| — | "For The Rest Of My Life" | Ned Esguerra | Side A | — | |
| 2nd Runner-up | "Sa Ibang Mundo" (In Another World) | Mark Villar | Kean Cipriano & Nadine Lustre | Maynilad People's Choice Award | |
| — | "Kilig" | Soc Villanueva | Jinky Vidal | — | |
| — | "Apat Na Buwang Pasko" (Four-Month Christmas) | Gino Cruz & Jeff Arcilla | Jon Santos | — | |
| 1st Runner-up | "Paratingin Mo Na Siya" | Davey Langit | Davey Langit | — | |
| — | "Nasaan" | Lara Maigue | Lara Maigue | — | |
| — | "Tanging Pag-asa Ko" (My Only Hope) | Paul Armesin | The Company | — | |
| — | "Edge Of The World" | Johannes Garcia | Josh Padilla & Yassi Pressman | Best Music Video Award |
Out of more than 2,000 entries, The Philpop, together with the adjudicators - singers Basti Artadi, Bullet Dumas, Ebe Dancel, Lara Maigue and Davey Langit, academe members and college students - selects 12 entries for the competition.[3] Five of the composers are returning to the competition, while 11 of those are rookies.[10]
| Result | Song | Composer/s | Interpreter/s | Special Award/s | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | "Baliw sa Ex-Boyfriend Ko" (I'm Crazy for My Ex-Boyfriend) | Joan Da | Sugar 'N Spice featuring Joan Da | — | |
| — | "Binibini sa MRT" | Johann Garcia | The Juans | — | |
| Grand Winner | "Di Na Muli" | Jazz Nicolas and Wally Acolola | Itchyworms | — | |
| — | "Dumadagundong" | Brian Cua and Mike Villegas | Yassi Pressman | — | |
| — | "Friday Night" | Karl Guarano | Kenjhons | — | |
| — | "Kahon" (Box) | Ramiro Mataru | Ramiru Mataro | — | |
| 1st Runner-up | "Lahat" (Everything) | Soc Villanueva | Jason Dy | Maynilad People's Choice Award | |
| — | "Nobody But You" | Keiko Necesario | Monica Cuenco | — | |
| — | "Pabili Po" | Aikee Aplacador | Banda ni Kleggy and Aikee | — | |
| — | "Stars are Aligned" | JC Jose | Acapellago and Jimmy Marquez | — | |
| — | "Sintunado" (Out of Tune) | Jeroel Maranan | Nyoy Volante | — | |
| 2nd Runner-up | "Tinatangi" (Special) | Miguel Guico and Paolo Guico | Cookie Chua, Bayang Barrios and The Benjamins | Smart/PLDT Best Music Video Award |
The 30 semifinalists for the 2018 Philippine Popular Music Festival were announced on July 24, 2018.[24] A criteria of 25% online streams, 25% SMS voting, and 50% judges' choices was used to select the top 10 finalists. The Top 10 were announced on October 17, 2018.[25] The Grand Finals were held on December 2, 2018.[26]
| Results | Song | Composer/s | Composer/s Location | Interpreter/s | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | "AEIOU" | Kenneth John Pores | General Trias, Cavite | Davey Langit | |
| Top 10 | "Ako Ako" (Me, Me) | Jeriko Buenafe | Taguig City | Feel Day, Hans Dimayga | |
| — | "Away Wa'y Buwagay" | Eamarie Gilayo & Jovit Leonerio | Davao City, Davao del Sur | Winset Jacot, Medyo Maldito | |
| — | "Bumbero" (Fireman) | Michael Llave | Quezon City | Mic Llave | |
| Top 10 | "'Di Ko Man" | Ferdinand Aragon | Cebu City, Cebu | Ferdinand Aragon | |
| — | "Ikaw Ang Aking Pag-Ibig" (You Are My Love) | Mark Jay Felipe | Guimba, Nueva Ecija | RJ Dela Fuente | |
| Top 10 | "Isang Gabing Pag-Ibig" (One Night Stand) | Carlo Angelo David | Quezon City | Jex De Castro | |
| Top 10 | "Kariton" (Cart) | Philip Arvin Jarilla | Antipolo, Rizal | Acapellago | |
| — | "Kelan Kaya" (When) | Sarah Bulahan | Mandaluyong | Ataska, Nash Lorca | |
| — | "kilabl" | Karlo Zabala | Valenzuela City | Carlyn Ocampo, Joshua Feliciano | |
| — | "Korde Kodigo" | Jeremy Sarmiento | Davao City, Davao del Sur | Leanne & Naara | |
| Top 10 | "Laon Ako" (I'm Old) | Elmar Jan Bolaño & Donel Trasporto | Tigbuan, Iloilo | Kakai Bautista | |
| — | "LDR (Layong 'Di Ramdam)" | Russ Narcies "Nar" Cabico | Quezon City | Nar Cabico | |
| — | "LGBT (Laging Ganito Ba Tayo?)" | Kyle Pulido | Davao City, Davao del Sur | Kyle Pulido | |
| — | "Lilipad" (Flies) | Agatha Morallos & Joseph Morallos | Baguio, Benguet | Bayang Barrios, Naliyagan Band | |
| Top 10 | "Loco De Amor!" | Edgardo Miraflor Jr. | Bacolod, Negros Occidental | BennyBunnyBand | |
| — | "Mahirap Magselos" | Paul Hildawa | Makati | Caleb Santos | |
| — | "Makisabay" (Go Along) | Carlo Angelo David | Quezon City | Carlo David | |
| — | "Malilimutan Din Kita" (I Will Forget You Too) | Marvin Blue Corpuz | Koronadal, South Cotabato | Nitro | |
| — | "MMRA" | Oliver Narag | Valenzuela City | Jeric Medina | |
| Top 10 | "Nanay Tatay" (Mother Father) | Teodoro Festejo III | Davao City, Davao del Sur | Chud Festejo | |
| — | "Oka" | Michael Angelo "Aikee" Aplacador | Pateros | Thyro Alfaro, Aikee | |
| — | "Perfect Imperfect Human" | Barry Villacarillo | Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu | Jem Cubil | |
| Top 10 | "Pilipit" | Sean Gabriel Cedro & John Ray Reodique | Antipolo, Rizal | Julian Trono | |
| — | "Promise Sorry Note" | Michael Angelo "Aikee" Aplacador | Pateros | Yumi Lacsamana | |
| — | "Pwede" (Possible) | Agatha Morallos & Melvin Joseph Morallos | Baguio, Benguet | The Juans | |
| Top 10 | "Tama Na" (Stop) | Michael Rodriguez & Jeanne Columbine Rodriguez | Makati | Katrina Velarde | |
| — | "Unang Adlaw Nga Wala Ka" (English: First Day Without You/Tagalog: Unang Araw Na Wala Ka) | Therese Marie Villarante & Henrick James Pestaño | Talisay City, Cebu | Therese Villarante | |
| — | "Utang" (Debt) | Ignacio Dennis Roxas | Malolos City, Bulacan | Kuya Dennis | |
| Top 10 | "Yun Tayo" | Donnalyn Onilongo | Angono, Rizal | Gracenote |
| Results | Song | Composer/s | Composer/s Location | Interpreter/s | Special Award/s | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd Runner-up | "Ako Ako" (Me, Me) | Jeriko Buenafe | Taguig City | Feel Day, Hans Dimayga | — | |
| 1st Runner-up | "'Di Ko Man" | Ferdinand Aragon | Cebu City, Cebu | Ferdinand Aragon | — | |
| — | "Isang Gabing Pag-Ibig" (One Night Stand) | Carlo Angelo David | Quezon City | Jex De Castro | — | |
| — | "Kariton" (Cart) | Philip Arvin Jarilla | Antipolo, Rizal | Acapellago | — | |
| — | "Laon Ako" (I'm Old) | Elmar Jan Bolaño & Donel Trasporto | Tigbuan, Iloilo | Kakai Bautista | — | |
| — | "Loco De Amor | " | Edgardo Miraflor Jr. | Bacolod, Negros Occidental | BennyBunnyBand | — |
| Grand Winner | "Nanay Tatay" (Mother Father) | Teodoro Festejo III | Davao City, Davao del Sur | Chud Festejo | Maynilad Best Music Video | |
| — | "Pilipit" | Sean Gabriel Cedro & John Ray Reodique | Antipolo, Rizal | Julian Trono | — | |
| — | "Tama Na" (Stop) | Michael Rodriguez & Jeanne Columbine Rodriguez | Makati | Katrina Velarde | — | |
| — | "Yun Tayo" | Donnalyn Onilongo | Angono, Rizal | Gracenote (band) | Smart People's Choice Award |
The 2020 edition of PhilPop songwriting competition was announced in July 2020.[27] Due to the restrictions on the COVID-19 pandemic affecting the music industry and the prohibition of live events, the competition was held online.
The top 15 entries were announced in September 2020, while the Grand Finals was held on December 12 via livestreaming on PhilPop's social media accounts.[28]
| Results | Song | Composer/s | Composer/s Location | Interpreter/s | Special Award/s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd Runner-up | "'Pahuway" (Rest) | Sherwin Fugoso | Mindanao | Ferdinand Aragon | — |
| 1st Runner-up | "Bestiny" | Aikee | Metro Manila | Kevin Yadao, Jr. Crown | — |
| Grand Winner | "Suyo" (Persuade) | Reon | Visayas | Noah Alejandre and Reanne Borela | — |
In September 2022, PhilPop and Himig Handog, renowned entities in the Philippine music industry, collaborated for the biggest songwriting festival in the Philippines. This collaboration followed an open audition where songwriters could submit their released or unreleased songs.[29]
On April 14, 2023, PhilPop and Himig Handog announced the selection of 35 DigiCamp fellows who would take part in the Songwriting Festival. These selected 35 Fellows engaged in a 2-month DigiCamp program tailored to enrich their songwriting skills. The DigiCamp curriculum included a well-structured program providing training, guidance, and mentorship to foster the development of their capabilities as songwriters. After the 2-month training, the 35 fellows had to submit their final entries to qualify for the top 12.
On July 22, 2023, PhilPop and Himig Handog, revealed the top 12 selected Grand Finalists who had qualified to progress to the forthcoming competition. The top 12 entries went through multiple rounds of adjudication, headed by an esteemed panel of Board Members, producers, key leaders, prominent songwriters, and decision-makers affiliated with PhilPop and Himig Handog.[30]
One year after the announcement of the Top 12, on July 17, 2024, a video uploaded by Star Music PH and Philpop unveiled the names of the interpreters and their respective songs, alongside the composers. The following day, July 18, 2024, marked the highly anticipated grand media launch of Philpop Himig Handog 2024. This event was attended by the interpreters and the top 12 composers, including notable figures like Ice Seguerra, Moira Dela Torre, Johnoy Danao, Maki, VXON, and several emerging artists from the Philippines.[31]
The top 12 Philpop Himig Handog songs were released on all digital platforms on July 19, 2024.[32]
| Results | Song | Composer | Composer's Location | Interpreter/s | Music Video Producer/s | Special Awards | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| "ATM" | Francis Contemplacion | Laguna | Ice Seguerra | ||||
| "Buhi" | Keith John Quito | Bohol | Ferdinand Aragon | ||||
| "Dili Nalang" | Relden Campanilla | Cebu | Jollianne | ||||
| "Ghostwriter" | Kevin Yadao | Metro Manila | Khimo | ||||
| "Kurba" | Alvin Serito | Metro Manila | Maki | ||||
| "Langit Lupa" | Geca Morales | Metro Manila | Lyka Estrella, Annrain, Geca Morales | ||||
| "MHWG" | Rob Angeles | Rizal | VXON | ||||
| "Papahiram" | Rinz Ruiz | Bulacan | Moira Dela Torre, Johnoy Danao | ||||
| "Salamat (Nga Wala Na Ta)" | Jimmy Ricks Grajo | Cebu | Kurt Fick | ||||
| "Taliwala" | Maric Gavino | Davao City | Noah Alejandre | ||||
| "Tulala" | Shantel Cyline Lapatha | Bacolod | Shantel Cyline, Extrapolation | ||||
| "Wag Paglaruan" | Tiara Shaye | Metro Manila | Fana ft. Tiara Shaye |