Songwriters, interpreters show beauty of OPM in PhilPop Himig Handog 2024

The songwriters and interpreters included in the PhilPop Himig Handog 2024 competition. Image: Courtesy of NYOU Consultancy

In hopes of promoting the emerging OPM scene, composers and interpreters join forces to showcase the many colors of Filipino music through the 2024 edition of the Philpop Himig Handog songwriting competition.

The annual contest brings together the Top 12 tracks written by songwriters and their respective interpreters covering themes of love, mental health, society, and other topics. This year’s competition is a joint effort by the Philippine Popular Music Festival (Philpop) and Himig Handog to elevate Filipino music.

Compared to its previous inceptions, entries went through two rounds of screening from Philpop and Himig Handog before the final 12 entries were selected. This, according to ABS-CBN Music creative director Jonathan Manalo, was a “difficult process” for the selection committee as the songs went under the ringer before these were selected as the final entries.

“We couldn’t simply pick someone based on name value. They had to make sense in terms of style, the songwriter’s vision, and overall commitment to the song,” Manalo told reporters at a press launch.

Despite this, it was a process that allowed Philpop and Himig Handog to be open to each other’s differences, especially when it came to their respective tastes in music.

“Nadiscover namin sa process na ito kahit magkakaiba ang taste namin, we can actually agree on a good song. So, nagulat kami nung nag-tally kami kasi pare-pareho lang yung gusto namin (What we discovered throughout the process is even though we have different tastes, we can actually agree on a good song. We got surprised while tallying the entries because we had the same choices),” said Manalo.

This remark was seconded by songwriter Keith John Quito, who wrote the entry “Buhi,” who pointed out that OPM is bound to go through changes as sound will always remain “refresh.”

“Nababago rin ang taste natin (Our tastes change). I hope we go in that direction where we allow different languages and genres [in our music]. Music is freedom after all. I am still developing my own sound and style, and then I may shift to go into a different [genre and language],” he said.

Some of the biggest names included among the interpreters are returning contestants Ice Seguerra and Moira Dela Torre, while chart-topper Maki and P-pop boy group VXON joined the competition for the first time.

Anim kabilaan para sa #PhilPopHimigHandog!
Nandito na ang composers at interpreters para sa Top 12 songs 🎶

Suportahan ang kanilang pag-awit!
07.19.24 🇵🇭#PxHTop12 pic.twitter.com/GK84pACQ6I

— Philpop Foundation (@philpopmusic) July 17, 2024

Here is the list of song entries and their respective composers:

• “ATM” by Francis Contemplacion (interpreted by Ice Seguerra)
• “Buhi” by Keith John Quito (interpreted by Ferdinand Aragon)
• “Dili Na Lang” by Relden Campanilla (interpreted by Jolianne)
• “Ghostwriter” by Kevin Yadao (interpreted by Khimo)
• “Kurba” by Alvin Serito of Sunkissed Lola (interpreted by Maki)
• “Langit Lupa” by Geca Morales (interpreted by Geca, Lyka Estrella, and Annrain)
• “MHWG” by Rob Angeles (interpreted by VXON)
• “Papahiram” by Rinz Ruiz (interpreted by Moira Dela Torre and Johnoy Danao)
• “Salamat (Nga Wala Na Ta)” by Jimmy Ricks (interpreted by Kurt Fick)
• “Taliwala” by Maric Gavino (interpreted by Noah Alejandro)
• “Tulala” by Shantel Cyline Lapatha (interpreted by Shantel and Extrapolation)
• “Wag Paglaruan” by Tiara Shaye (interpreted by Tiara and Fana)

Details of the Philpop Himig Handog 2024 finals are yet to be announced.

The winning songwriter and interpreter duo will win cash prizes worth P1,000,000 (first place), P500,000 (second place), and P200,000 (third place) in the culmination of the contest.