Philpop 2014 finalists announced: pressure on for the next viral song
The battle is on for the next song to break “Dati”’s 23 million (aggregated) video hits—and counting.
The 2013 winning song written by Thyro Alfaro and Yumi Lacsamana was a mega hit for stream-crazy Filipino netizens.
So Philpop Foundation executive director Ryan Cayabyab was hopeful when he announced Wednesday, March 19, this year’s 12 finalists:
“NSGB (No Girlfriend Since Break)” by Davey Langit
“The Only One” by Venelyn San Pedro
“Awit Mo’y Nandito Pa” by Ronaldo Sorioso
“Torpe” by Daryl Ong
“Babalikan Mo Rin Ako” by Soc Villanueva
“Song on a Broken String” by Jude Gitamondoc and Therese Marie Villarente
“Salbabida” by Jungee Marcelo
“Dear Heart” by Mike Villegas
“Hangout Lang” by Allan Feliciano and Isaac Joseph Garcia
“Qrush on You” by QYork’s James Palma (aka Flava Matikz) and Cedric Bonjoc (aka Knowa Lazarus)
“Kung Akin Ang Langit” by Chi Bocobo and Isaac Joseph Garcia
“Langit Umaawit” by Ronaldo Sorioso
The top 12 were handpicked by a group of adjudicators from 2,500 entries submitted from all over the country. The entries were whittled down to 100, then 30 and finally, to 12.
Getting their game on
The finalists have four months to get their game on—from producing music videos to getting public support through aggressive promotions—until finals night on July 26 at the Meralco Theater.
They also share the pressure of surpassing last year’s streams, which totaled 43 million hits over the past year.
While some of those shortlisted are familiar names that have joined previous Philpop and other song-writing contests, first timers like Daryl Ong (“Torpe”) also made the cut. It was the first foray into songwriting by the 26-year-old full-time musician and singer.
And TV news anchor Chi Bocobo’s entry “Kung Akin Lang” may resonate strongly with netizens. The song is about her four-year-old son Sancho born with the genetic condition spinal muscle atrophy.
