Perennial joiner wins at long last

NETWORK officers Charo Santos (left) and Carlo Katigbak (right) award prize to KZ Tandigan (second from left) and Edwin Marollano. photo by Archelle de Belen and Eaizen Almazan

“You fail when you stop trying.”

Edwin Marollano had tirelessly joined songwriting contests since 1985, but his first taste of victory came only last Sunday, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, where he was declared grand winner of this year’s “Himig Handog: P-Pop Love Songs” tilt.

“I’m not a quitter—the more I lose, the more determined I become. I knew that I would win one day… and I did, at last,” Edwin told the Inquirer shortly after the program.

His unwavering resolve was fueled by a desire to share his talent. “I just set out to use what God has given me,” said Edwin, whose previous best performance in a competition was making it to the finals of PhilPop 2012.

Sunday’s winning song, “Mahal Ko o Mahal Ako,” interpreted by pop-soul singer KZ Tandingan, bested 14 other entries. Edwin, whose day job entails teaching and handling the Philippine Ports Authority and Himig Muntinlupa chorales, took home a cash price of

P1 million and a trophy.

“I wasn’t expecting this at all because the other entries were good,” he said. “Then my name was called; I just lost it!”

Edwin’s interpreter, KZ, was just as ecstatic. “I was up very early because I was so nervous! It was as if I was competing in

‘X Factor Philippines’ all over again,” related KZ, who received a special award, the ABS-CBN.com Favorite Interpreter.

“Mahal Ko o Mahal Ako,” a weepy, piano-driven ballad, was inspired by a friend’s personal experience, Edwin related. “I ended the song with an open-ended question to make the listeners think,” he said, adding that he let KZ add flourishes to it. “I just told KZ to take it where her heart led her. I appreciate her delivery,” he said.

Edwin noted that his songwriting is not limited to love songs, and that each of his works is bound by positivity. “I make sure that they encourage the listeners.”

Honor roll

Finishing in 2nd place was David Dimaguila’s “Halik sa Hangin” (interpreted by Abra and Ebe Dancel); 3rd place, Melchora Mabilog’s “Mahal Kita Pero” (Janella Salvador); 4th place, Eric de Leon’s “Walang Basagan ng Trip” (Jugs Jugueta and Teddy Corpuz); and fifth place, Nica del Rosario’s “Hindi Wala” (Juris). They received P500,000, P300,000, P150,000 and P100,000, respectively.

The rest of the Top 15 entries: Francis Louis Salazar’s “Akin Ka Na Lang” (Morissette Amon); Raizo Brent Chabeldin and Biv de Vera’s “Dito” (Jovit Baldivino); Jose Joel Mendoza’s “Hanggang Kailan” (Angeline Quinto); Joven Tan’s “Pare, Mahal Mo Raw Ako” (Michael Pangilinan); Sarah Jane Gandia’s “Bumabalik ang Nagdaan” (Jessa Zaragoza); Jungee Marcelo’s “Pumapag-ibig” (Marion Aunor feat. Rizza and Seed); Rolando Azor’s “Umiiyak ang Puso” (Bugoy Drilon); Hazel Faith de la Cruz’s “Everything Takes Time” (Hazel Faith de la Cruz); Meljohn Magno’s “Simpleng Tulad Mo” (Daniel Padilla); and Jude Gitamondoc’s “If You Don’t Want to Fall” (Jed Madela).

“Himig Handog” head Jonathan Manalo, a past winner, said 80 percent of the scores were based on technical aspects: lyrics, melody and production value. The remaining 20 percent was based on performance quality on finals night, as determined by a panel of judges composed of ABS-CBN

execs Carlo Katigbak, Lauren Dyogi and Robert Labayen, TV host Boy Abunda and performers Kuh Ledesma, Rey Valera, Noel Cabangon, Zsa Zsa Padilla and Charice.

Special awards were given: Star Music Listeners’ Choice, “Bumabalik ang Nagdaan”; MOR 101.9’s Choice and ABS-CBN Mobile Fan Favorite, “Simpleng Tulad Mo”; MYX’s Choice for Best Music Video, “Mahal Kita Pero”; StarStudio Readers’ Choice and TFC’s Choice, “If You Don’t Want to Fall”; and Star Cinema’s Choice, “Halik sa Hangin.”