PhilPop entry raises awareness for genetic condition

BENIN AND FUNDALES. Interpret “Kung Akin Ang Langit.”

The Philippine Pop Music Festival (PhilPop) entry, “Kung Akin Ang Langit,” written by news anchor Chi Datu Bocobo and Isaac Joseph Garcia, aims to raise awareness for a genetic condition that causes muscle weakness in infants.

Chi wrote the tune for her four-year-old son, Sancho, who has spinal muscular atrophy. In 2000, her song, “Maging Isang Bayani” (with Allan Feliciano), was a finalist in the Himig Handog songwriting competition.

For PhilPop, she tapped former Orange and Lemons vocalist Mcoy Fundales and Clara Benin, the voice behind the popular “Hooray for Today” jingle, to interpret the song.

Clara, who learned to play the guitar at 13, is the daughter of Side A’s Joey Benin, who’s now based in Bacolod to focus on farming and fishing. She says, “I initially wanted to be an arranger, because I was never comfortable in the spotlight. Most of my friends didn’t know that I could sing—which I have grown to love.”

Joey wrote “Clara’s Eyes” for her, which won third place in the 1999 Metro Pop tilt and was chosen Song of the Year at the Awit Awards. Now, it is Clara’s turn to perform in PhilPop. She confesses, “It’s humbling to be chosen as one of PhilPop’s interpreters!”

Mcoy didn’t just sing the popular “Pinoy Big Brother” jingle, “Pinoy Ako,” he became a housemate himself. His new band, Kenyo, is preparing to release its new single before it goes on a performance tour of the Middle East.