Significant change for PhilPop

Noel Cabangon

I had a blast with my good friends Noel Cabangon and Ryan Cayabyab at the PhilPop Reveal and Listening Party. A video featuring the 30 entries was showcased during the event. The music fest continues to defy expectations by championing homegrown talents from different backgrounds and music genres.

Mr. C stressed the importance of regional inclusivity and giving voice to underrated artists. Viva Records supervised the official recording of the songs, which are available on YouTube and Spotify.

From the Top 30, only 10 will advance to the last round. They will compete on Nov. 30 in the festival’s Finals Night. To vote for your bets, log on to philpop.com.ph. Bravo, PhilPop, for reinventing and redefining OPM (original Pilipino music). We’ll be all ears!

Here’s my chat with Noel:

What can you say about the entries this year? I like our entries this year because there’s a semblance of national representation coming from the country’s different regions. The songs are so diverse in genre and topics. There are songs of social relevance, not only the usual songs about love.

How has PhilPop evolved through the years? The fest now does not only have entries in Filipino and English, but songs that are written in our local dialects. It’s a significant change that we’ve been wanting to happen—a representation of our local culture. This time, some of the songwriters will interpret their own entries. They’re not known, but they are the best interpreters of their own works.

Is it easier for you to write songs when you are sad or happy? It’s not that easy to write a song. But if the muses are with you, you can make a song in a matter of minutes. Emotions are drivers that can push you to write, but sometimes that isn’t enough. There should be an “inspiration.” It can be a situation or an experience. Or even an idea that crossed your mind and immediately pushed you to sit down and begin writing.

If you could only sing one song, what would it be? If I were to interpret one of the entries, it would be the song, “Pwede.” It fits my voice, and I like the style and form of the song, and how it develops till the end.

Any embarrassing moment onstage? Singing the national anthem in a formal gathering. To make sure I won’t forget the lyrics, like what happened to other artists, I placed a paper with lyrics on the floor. And wrote some of the lines on my hand. The idea was awkward, and it made me less patriotic.

What OPM tune makes you melancholic? I did a cover version of the song “Malayo Pa ang Umaga” by Rey Valera. I remember recording it with so much sadness. I thought of the struggles of our country, and the many people who gave up so much to make this country a better one. So much has been sacrificed—life, family, chances, time. Every time I hear this song, I shake my head, and … think of the future generations. But the reality says that this is a continuing struggle.

What Filipino song puts you in a good mood? “You” by the late Gerry Paraiso, sung by Basil Valdez. It has a very positive vibe. When I hear it, I automatically sing along with it.

The country’s brightest stars are pulling out all the stops to look their best at the most anticipated celebrity fashion event in the country, the ABS-CBN Ball 2018, on Sept. 29. It’s made more special by its advocacy, which supports the relaunching of Bantay Bata 163’s Children’s Village in Bulacan, which will serve as a home to abused, exploited and neglected children.

That’s what being a Kapamilya is all about. Beneath the glitz, there’s substance.