PhilPop 2018 branches out to include more songs in Bisaya, other PHL languages

The Philippine Popular Music Festival (PhilPop) is back and it's embracing the diversity of languages in the country. 

Over a thousand aspiring composers submitted song entries, which was whittled down to the Top 30 this week. Of the 30 semifinalists, 10 are from Visayas and Mindanao. 

PhilPop executive director Dinah Remolacio explained that the foundation's decision to change the format and host nationwide songwriting boot camps in 2017 encouraged more songwriters outside Luzon and the greater Metro Manila to join the festival.

"Embracing the biennial campaign by starting with the songwriting boot camps and then the festival proper was implemented to arm songwriters with knowledge and songwriting essentials that will push them to be confident to showcase their masterpieces, even those written in local language," Remolacio was quoted as saying in a statement shared with the press.

The 30 semifinalists are:

1. "AEIOU" by Kenneth John Pores (General Trias, Cavite)
2. "Ako, Ako" by Jeriko Buenafe (Taguig, NCR)
3. "Away Wa’y Buwagay" by Eamarie Gilayo and Jovit Leonerio (Davao City, Davao Del Sur)
4. "Bumbero" by Michael Llave (Quezon City, NCR)
5. "Di Ko Man" by Ferdinand Aragon (Cebu City, Cebu)
6. "Ikaw Ang Aking Pag-ibig" by Mark Jay Felipe (Guimba, Nueva Ecija)
7. "Isang Gabing Pagibig" by Carlo Angelo David (Quezon City, NCR)
8. "Kariton" by Philip Arvin Jarilla (Antipolo, Rizal)
9. "Kelan Kaya?" by Sarah Bulahan (Mandaluyong City, NCR)
10. "KilabI" by Karlo Frederico Zabala (Valenzuela City, NCR)
11. "Korde Kodigo" by Jeremy Sarmiento (Davao City, Davao Del Sur)
12. "Laon Ako" by Elmar Jan Bolano and Donel Transporto (Tigbauan, Iloilo)
13. "LDR (Layong ‘Di Ramdam)" by Russ Narcies Cabico (Quezon City, NCR)
14. "LGBT (Laging Ganito Ba Tayo?)" by Kyle Pulido (Davao City, Davao Del Sur)
15. "Lilipad" by Agatha Morallos and Melvin Joseph Morallos (Baguio City, Benguet)
16. "Loco De Amor!" Edgardo Miraflor, Jr. (Bacolod City, Negros Occidental)
17. "Mahirap Magselos" by Paul Hildawa (Makati City, NCR)
18. "Makisabay" by Carlo Angelo David (Quezon City, NCR)
19. "Malilimutan Din Kita" by Marvin Blue Corpuz (Koronadal, South Cotabato)
20. "MMRA" by Oliver Narag (Valenzuela City, NCR)
21. "Nanay Tatay" by Teodoro Festejo III (Davao City, Davao Del Sur)
22. "Oka" by Michael Angelo Aplacador (Pateros, NCR)
23. "Perfectly Imperfect Human" by Barry Villacarillo (Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu)
24. "Pilipit (Paano Sasabihing Mahal Kita)" by Sean Gabriel Cedro and John Ray Reodique (Antipolo City, Rizal)
25. "Promise Sorry Note" by Michael Angelo Aplacador (Pateros, NCR)
26. "Pwede" by Agatha Morallos and Melvin Joseph Morallos (Baguio City, Benguet)
27. "Tama Na" by Michael Rodriguez and Jeanne Columbine Rodriguez (Makati City, NCR)
28. "Unang Adlaw Nga Wala Ka" by Therese Marie Villarante and Henrick James Pestano (Talisay City, Cebu)
29. "Utang" by Ignacio Dennis Roxas (Malolos, Bulacan)
30. "Yun Tayo" by Donnalyn Onilongo (Angono, Rizal)

The semifinalists attended a two-day workshop spearheaded by Maestro Ryan Cayabyab, PhilPop Coaching Camp Master and foundation board member.

Industry stalwarts Jazz Nicolas, Ebe Dancel, Jungee Marcelo, Trina Belamide, Jonathan Manalo, Wally Acolola, Thyro Alfaro, Yumi Lacsamana and Jungee Marcelo also serve as mentors to the aspiring composers. 

PhilPop is an initiative of the MVP Group of Companies, Mid Atlantic foundation for Asian Artists, Inc. (MAFFAA, Inc.), and NYXSYS Philippines. — AT, GMA News