They’re singing for the P1 million grand prize
A heartthrob, a pair of YouTube sensations, a debuting solo artist and the power vocals behind an all-female rock group were among 12 interpreters tapped to breathe life to 12 songs shortlisted for this year’s Philpop songwriting competition.
They were introduced to the press Thursday, May 29, at the Cocoon Boutique Hotel in Quezon City during the launch of the album, which will be available as a physical CD and as a digital download on Spinner.ph.
Singing for the P1 million prize money during the finals night on July 26 at the Meralco Theater are:
The heartthrob and unica hija
Tom Rodriguez, the heartthrob, doing Ronaldo Sorioso’s “Langit Umaawit.” Though best known as a dramatic actor, Tom cut his teeth in musical theater, having played the title role in the Asian premiere of “Aladdin.”
Aldrich Lloyd Taloding, 14, with his cousin guitarist James Bucong were the YouTube sensations from General Santos City whose passionate rendition of “Dance with My Father” vocals led Ellen DeGeneres to sign them up. They’ve been tapped to interpret “Awit Mo’y Nandito Pa,” the second shortlisted entry of composer Ronaldo Sorioso.
Kiana Valenciano, the unica hija of Gary and Angeli Valenciano, interpreting Mike Villegas’s “Dear Heart.” She was reluctant to do the upbeat song at the outset. “When I heard it, medyo ninerbyos ako kasi it’s not the type of song I usually do. Most of the time (the songs I sing are) medyo slow,” she said. But her parents held sway (“They really pushed me to do it, actually”) and saw it as ”a super fun song to do.”
A loaded song for Nikki Gil
Nicole Asensio, former vocalist of the all-female rock band General Luna, doing Jude Gitamondoc and Therese Marie Villarante’s “Song on a Broken String.” She said she was “hella grateful” for being given the opportunity to be part of Philpop and said she could relate to the song because “I always felt like an oddball, you know a little weird in this place, and that’s exactly what the song is saying.”
Soc Villanueva choosing Nikki Gil to do “Babalikan Mo Rin Ako” caused the singer to feel “quite awkward” at first. She knew doing the song would allude to her breakup last year with longtime boyfriend Billy Crawford. But, after consulting people in the industry she trusted, she was told, “It’s the kind of song you can sing once you’ve moved on and you sing it with a sentiment that’s just in hindsight.”
Fest vet
Luigi D’Aviola, an 18-year-old half-Italian, half-Pinoy singer interpreting Davey Langit’s “NGSB (No Girlfriend Since Break).”
Thor Dulay doing Venelyn San Pedro’s soulful “The Only One.”
Kris Lawrence interpreting Daryl Ong’s “Torpe.”
Kyla singing fest vet Jungee Marcelo’s “Salbabida.”
Former band members
Former South Border frontman Duncan Ramos and multi-hyphenate Young JV doing Allan Feliciano and Isaac Joseph Garcia’s “Hangout Lang.”
Elmo Magalona and Jay R for “Qrush on You,” by QYork’s James Palma (Flava Matikz) and Cedric Bonjoc (Knowa Lazarus).
Clara Benin, daughter of former Side A member Joey Benin, and Mcoy Fundales, the voice behind Orange and Lemons’ “Pinoy Ako,” do “Kung Akin ang Langit,” by Cecilia Bocobo and Isaac Joseph Garcia.
In a statement, Philpop executive director Ryan Cayabyab said, “This year’s finalists constitute a heady brew of the most varied of genres: dance, rock, R&B, a couple of ballads, some pop and a genre-defying song in multimeter. I am also happy and excited to hear established singers shoulder to shoulder with new, up-and-coming performers.”
Editor's Note: The video featuring snippets of the shortlisted songs has been removed.,
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