Unlike
the first edition of the Philippine Popular Music Festival (PhilPop) last year,
I wasn’t that much involved in this year’s songwriting competition. I wasn’t
part of the adjudicating process that narrowed down the 3,383 entries to the
final 12 battling it out at the Philippine Popular Music Festival 2013 Finals Night happening on July 20, 2013 ,
7:00 PM at the Meralco Theater and simulcast over at TV5.
The Top 12 Announcement
But
that didn’t mean that I wasn’t following closely what was happening with the
competition. When the Top 12 was announced at Napa Restaurant & Bar, I was
updated via facebook and twitter updates of who the finalists were although I
was at another event. I was happy to find out that Thryo Alfaro & Yumi
Lacsamana, Jungee Marcelo, Adrienne Sarmiento-Buenaventura and Lara Maigue all
of whom I know personally managed to crack into the Top 12. Days later, there
was a bit of drama when Marion Aunor, one of the finalists, withdrew from the
competition for personal reasons. With Aunor and her song, Do, Do, Do, out of the competition, the song that initially ended
up in 13th place, Time Machine
by Kennard Faraon, eventually made it into the finals. This meant that Thyro
Alfaro and Kennard Faraon became the two returning finalists from last year’s
edition.
The Interpreters Announcement
Some
weeks later, the interpreters were announced at a press conference over at
Ariato Penthouse. I had a notion that it won’t be like last year with some
composers interpreting their own songs. And I guessed it right. With the
exception of Joey Ayala in the song Papel, none of the other composers interpreted
their entries. But as I listened to the PhilPop 2013 album released by
Universal Records, I can hear some of composers doing some backup vocals in
some of the tracks.
Some
of the interpreters that were announced didn’t surprise me at all since they
belong to Universal Records’ stable of artists like Christian Bautista, Yael
Yuzon of Sponge Cola, Sam Concepcion, Kean Cipriano of Callalily, Gloc-9,
Kimpoy Feliciano and Six Part Invention. But the inclusion of unexpected
interpreters like Jose and Wally as well as Joey Ayala collaborating with
Gloc-9 threw me off guard.
Here
are the Top 12 songs for the Philippine Popular Music Festival 2013, their
composers and interpreters along with some of my thoughts regarding the tracks.
Araw,
Ulap, Langit
Music
& Lyrics by Marlon Barnuevo
Interpreted
by Christian Bautista
This ballad is a perfect fit for Christian. The soaring melody of the chorus brings forth images of the sun, sky and clouds just like what the title suggests. The song does not break new territory but it is still a solid one.
Askal
Music
& Lyrics by Ganny Brown
Interpeted
by Jose and Wally
This
novelty song follows the vein of the classics by Yoyoy Villame. But there’s
more than meets the eye, or the ear as I may say so, if one can hear the social
commentary in the lyrics and not just focus on the howling that’s heard
throughout the song.
Dati
Music
& Lyrics by Thyro Alfaro and Yumi Lacsamana
Interpreted
by Sam Concepcion, Tippy Dos Santos
and Quest
This
mid-tempo song probably has the most infectious hook among the top 12
finalists. The pop culture references in this song will appeal to the younger
demographic but might alienate those who are older.
Kung ‘Di Man
Music
& Lyrics by Johnoy Danao
Interpreted
by Ney Dimaculangan
The
arrangement of this song won me over. Nothing beats using live instruments and
a very organic sound. I really want to hear this song in a live setting. It
would be very foolish of Ney Dimaculangan not to include this song in his gigs
after the competition.
Pansamantagal
Music
& Lyrics by Jungee Marcelo
Interpreted
by Sitti and Julianne Tarroja
Beneath the jazzy vibe, there’s a message that is served in the song. The song may sound cheerful and bright but it talks about getting frustrated and losing one’s patience by various things that one encounters in life. I am not sure if having this song as a duet between Sitti and Julianne Tarroja was the best way to go. I am a sucker for multiple vocal layers and overdubs so I wish that they went this route instead.
Papel
Music & Lyrics by Joey Ayala
Interpreted
by Joey Ayala, Gloc-9 featuring Denise Barbacena and Silverfilter
I’ve
mentioned earlier that the collaboration between Joey Ayala and Gloc-9 for this
song was unexpected. But the biggest surprise for me was how Silverfilter arranged
the song that mixed the ethnic with modern club beats that I think will make
several jaws drop.
Music
& Lyrics by Myrus Apacible
Interpreted
by Kimpoy Feliciano
Kimpoy’s inclusion as an interpreter not only surprised me but also made me wonder if he will be able to pull this off. Then I learned that he was slated to interpret this song which is a perfect fit for his personality. Now, I can’t think of anyone who would be very convincing with this song.
Sa’yo Na Lang Ako
Music
& Lyrics by Lara Maigue
Interpreted
by Karylle
This
tender song in the album has Karylle giving a rendition that can melt the
hearts of listeners. The song starts out softly and then builds into an
emotional climax without resorting to the usual screaming, belting and overdone
melisma that has plagued songs for female vocalists in here.
Segundo
Music
& Lyrics by Paul Armesin
Interpreted
by Yael Yuzon of Sponge Cola
Probably
the most rock sounding track in the whole album, this song tells about the
importance of time and that we have a limited amount of it in our hands. Yael
feels that this song has the title in the bag and that the other 11 will be
battling it out for second place.
Sometimes That Happens
Music
& Lyrics by Nino Regalado and Adrienne Sarmiento-Buenaventura
Interpreted
by Ace Libre of Never the Strangers
The slow rock song in triple meter with a harmonious chorus is one of only two entries done in English. The song about a love lost harkens the style of music a couple of decades ago. Songwriter Adrienne “Adjeng” Sarmiento-Buenaventura and I belong to the same age range so I can imagine where she’s coming from music style wise.
Space
Music & Lyrics by Raffy Calicdan
Interpreted
by Kean Cipriano of Callalily and Kleggy of Banda Ni Kleggy
Space is another novelty song with an all too familiar chord progression in my opinion. I am still not convinced that the studio recording worked by having Kean Cipriano and Kleggy sharing lead vocal duties.
Time Machine
Music
& Lyrics by Kennard Faraon
Interpreted
by Six Part Invention
This
song by Kennard Faraon, initially ranking in 13th place, got bumped
into the finals when Marion Aunor withdrew from the competition. I noticed that
both entries done in English not only touched upon a love between two people that’s
no longer there, but also done in a style reminiscent of 90’s slow rock/pop
music.
While
listening to the PhilPop 2013 album, I’ve started to gravitate toward a song
that I want to win, although at the back of my mind, I also started to figure
out which songs might win. But what do I know? I am not a judge in the actual
competition and everybody has to wait until July 20, 2013 , 7:00 PM
either live at the Meralco Theater or while watching over at TV5 to see which
song will bag the top prize, the P1,000,000 million cash prize and the Ramon Orlina
glass trophy.
The Philippine Popular Music Festival (PhilPop) is all part of the advocacy of
the PhilPop Foundation Inc., chaired by business tycoon and philanthropist
Manuel V. Pangilinan and the board of directors composed of business leaders
Ricky Vargas, Doy Vea, Al Panlilio, Patrick Gregorio, Randy Estrellado and
Butch Jimenez, and OPM vanguards Ogie Alcasid, Noel Cabangon. PhilPop is headed
by the foundation’s executive director, maestro Ryan Cayabyab.
The PhilPop
2013 album, released by Universal Records is now out in record stores
nationwide. Individual tracks can also be downloaded via MyMusicStore Philippines
and iTunes.
PhilPop 2013
Tracks:
1.
Araw, Ulap, Langit
2.
Askal
3.
Dati
4.
Kung ‘Di Man
5.
Pansamantagal
6.
Papel
7. Sana
Pinatay Mo Na Lang Ako
8.
Sa’yo Na Lang Ako
9. Segundo
10.
Sometimes That Happens
11.
Space
12.
Time Machine
No comments:
Post a Comment