OPM stars join 7th run of Rak of Aegis

In a move that surprised nobody, Philippine Educational Theater Association's (PETA) megahit musical Rak of Aegis returns for a 7th run this July 5 - September 29, 2019 at the PETA Theater Center.

For this run, Rak welcomes a handful of the country's legendary recording artists to its ever growing cast as PETA partners the Organisasyon ng mga Pilipinong Mang-Aawit (OPM), the PhilPop MusicFest Foundation (PhilPop), and PLDT Home Fibr.

Randy Santiago

Noel Cabangon

The OPM artists joining the cast are singer/songwriter/actor Randy Santiago, multiple Awit Award winner Noel Cabangon, Miss Saigon  alum Jenine Desiderio, and world music recording artist Bayang Barrios.

Jenine Desiderio

Other new additions to the cast are actor/singer Derrick Monasterio, singing competition winners Kimberly Baluzo (Wish 107.5 Wishcovery 2018 1st Runner Up) and Leah Patricio (The Voice of the Philippines Season 2), and two-time PhilPop grand prize winner Yumi Lacsamana. Rounding up the new additions are Ashe Uy, Marynor Madamesila, Gerard Dy, and Lemuel Silvestre.

Kimberly Baluzo

Leah Patricio

The upcoming run also sees the return of Aicelle Santos to the Rak stage after a year long stint as Gigi in the UK/European tour of Miss Saigon.

Kimberly Baluzo, Aicelle Santos, Kim Molina, and Shaira Opsimar

Also returning are the other Aileens namely Kim Molina and Shaira Opsimar. Other cast members back for this run are Isay Alvarez-Seña and Sweet Plantado-Tiongson (Mary Jane); Robert Seña and Renz Verano (Kiel); Kakai Bautista and Neomi Gonzales (Mercy); Myke Salomon, Poppert Bernadas, and Vince Lim (Kenny); Jerald Napoles, Pepe Herrera, and Joshua Bulot (Tolits); Ron Alfonso and Jimmy Marquez (Jewel); Gie Onida and Rody Vera (Fernan); and Gimbey Dela Cruz, Gab Pangilinan, Matel Patayon, Abi Sulit, Teetin Villanueva, Gold Villar-Lim, Paeng Sudayan, Roi Calilong, Gio Gahol, Carlon Matobato, and John Moran as members of the ensemble.

Bayang Barrios and Renz Verano

The partnership with OPM will see rising artists busking at the lobby initially scheduled to coincide with the celebrations of the Linggo ng Musikang Pilipino.

Kim Molina and Derrick Monasterio

Shaira Opsimar and Pepe Herrera

Rak of Aegis and PhilPop are hardly strangers since back in July 2014, at the finals night of the 3rd PhilPop competition the cast of Rak of Aegis (then currently in its 2nd run) performed in a production number before the winners were announced. Fast forward five years later, the relationship has grown stronger. Rak's music director/arranger Myke Salomon join the PhilPop Songwriting Bootcamp sharing his expertise in composing musical theater.

Rak of Aegis Season 7 begins on July 5 running up to September 29, with shows from Thursday to Sunday at the PETA Theater Center.

The 2013 Philippine Popular Music Festival Experience Part 4

The Finals Night

PhilPop 2013 Grand Prize Winners
Yumi Lacsamana and Thryo Alfaro

I guess almost everyone now knows who won this year’s edition of the Philippine Popular Music Festival (PhilPop). Returning finalist Thryo Alfaro, along with Yumi Lacsamana finally bagged the Grand Prize with Dati that was interpreted by Sam Concepcion, Tippy Dos Santos and Quest. Another favorite, Kung ‘Di Man by Johnoy Danao and interpreted by Ney Dimaculangan ended up as the 1^st runner up while Pansamantagal by Jungee Marcelo and interpreted by Sitti and Julianne Taroja was 2^nd runner up. I was surprised that Kung ‘Di Man won the Smart People’s Choice Award since I thought that Dati already had a lock in this prize considering how popular it was going into the finals night. A new prize introduced this year, the Meralco Special Award was given to Segundo by Paul Armesin which was interpreted by Yael Yuzon.

Ney Dimaculangan and 1st Runner Up Johnoy Danao

The Finals Night held at the Meralco Theater was not as lavish as last year’s show but it went more smoothly and its flow was a lot tighter. Ogie Alcasid returned as the host and he was joined this time around by Jasmine Curtis-Smith. Unfortunately, the funniest moments between the two happened during commercial breaks and too bad that the television audience didn’t get to see Jasmine beat boxing and Ogie throwing in pop culture references from decades ago to a clueless, yet a very good sport Jasmine.

2nd Runner Up Jungee Marcelo

My bet to win the competition was Kung ‘Di Man and it almost won the top prize. The first time I ever heard the studio version of the song, I fell in love with it. The superb arrangement of Louie Talan was a stroke of genius, giving the song a nice organic feel with an exquisite cello solo by Giancarlo Gonzales. Unfortunately, there wasn’t any cellist when Ney performed the song for the competition. And for me, it lacked one of the key components that made this song truly awesome. I really believe that if there was a cellist during the finals night, Kung ‘Di Man would’ve won the Grand Prize. The same could be said for Pansamantagal wherein the studio version had a live brass/wind section which was nowhere to be seen or heard during the actual competition.

Tippy Dos Santos and Sam Concepcion

But on the other hand, Karylle’s sublime rendition of Sa’yo Na Lang Ako offered something that could never be duplicated inside the studio. She didn’t aim for perfection but instead went for emotional authenticity. The occasional flats and notes that could’ve been sustained a lot longer, instead of making it a sub par performance, actually gave it more character. Towards the end, I felt that Karylle was on the verge of breaking down and I realized that she was singing as if she knew that she would not be loved in return by the one whom she was longing for. This gave me a new perspective of the song since listening to the studio recording made me feel that it would be a happy ending for the two of them. It’s one of those magical moments which I can liken to the huge difference between just listening to a recording of an orchestra and watching an orchestra live.

Ace Libre and Toto Sorioso

Grand Prize Winner

Dati by Thyro Alfaro and Yumi Lacsamana

1st Runner Up

Kung ‘Di Man by Johnoy Danao

2nd Runner Up

Pansamantagal by Jungee Marcelo

Smart People’s Choice Award

Kung ‘Di Man by Johnoy Danao

Meralco Special Award

Segundo by Paul Armesin

Karylle and Lara Maigue

I appreciated the a cappella number by the 28 voices featuring The Company, Baihana, The Ryan Cayabyab Singers, Myke Salomon, 5AZ1, Charice Pempengco and Ogie Alcasid that gave the spotlight to recent music. Last year’s medley were of hits from decades ago and although these songs are considered classics, I felt that this has been overdone already and that the current music need to be on the spotlight to show that OPM is truly alive. Thankfully, this year’s production realized the importance of showcasing current music and gave recent hits like Gloc 9’s Sirena, Yeng Constantino’s Chinito and even Banda ni Kleggy’s Discolamon some airtime. The opening number with Martin Nievera and Regine Velasquez singing portions of the songs as the finalists and interpreters were introduced was unnecessary in my opinion. And it gave such pressure to the interpreters since Martin and Regine are hard acts to follow. Sandwich’s performance of Tayo’y Mga Pinoy felt somewhat flat for me since by that time, people were already looking forward to know who won and this number further delayed the announcement of the results.

Ryan Cayabyab Singers' Poppert Bernadas
and Jasmine Curtis-Smith

I also like to point out that it served the competition well to release the Philpop 2013 album weeks before the finals night. Because of that, the public were able to listen to the songs and pick their favorites. The tracks were also picked up by radio and received lots of airplay. The release of the music videos prior to the competition also gave more exposure to the songs as well. So there was momentum, anticipation and more excitement coming into the finals.

Ryan Cayabyab and Ebe Dancel

PhilPop 2013 goes on tour with mall concert series

August 9, 2013, 7:00 PM

Eastwood Central Plaza

Quezon City

The 2013 Philippine Popular Music Festival finals night may be done and over with but that doesn’t mean that PhilPop is truly over. Just like last year, the finalists and interpreters will be going on tour and this will kick off with a show this August 9, 2013, 7:00 PM at the Eastwood Central Plaza.

See live performances by Ace Libre of Never the Strangers, Kean Cipriano of Callalily, Banda ni Kleggy, Kimpoy Feliciano, Ney Dimaculangan, Sam Concepcion, Tippy Dos Santos, Quest and Six Part Invention as they interpret the songs that made it to the finals. The PhilPop 2013 concert series continue on August 17, 2013 at Lucky Chinatown Mall and on August 18, 2013 at the Venice Piazza in Taguig.

And soon enough, it will be time for Songwriting with the Maestro, a songwriting lecture/workshop featuring Ryan Cayabyab himself. I remember meeting Adrienne Sarmiento-Buenaventura during the workshop at San Beda College after the competition last year. And lo and behold, she ended up as one of the finalists this year.

The PhilPop 2013 album, released by Universal Records is still available in record stores nationwide. Dati, Kung ‘Di Man, Pansamantagal and the rest of the tracks can also be downloaded via MyMusicStore Philippines and iTunes.

The 2013 Philippine Popular Music Festival Experience Part 1

The 2013 Philippine Popular Music Festival Experience Part 2

The 2013 Philippine Popular Music Festival Experience Part 3

The Philippine Popular Music Festival 2013 Experience Part 3

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 13^th 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.

Sana Pinatay Mo Na Lang Ako

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 13^th 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

The Philippine Popular Music Festival 2013 Experience Part 1

The Philippine Popular Music Festival 2013 Experience Part 2
The Philippine Popular Music Festival 2013 Experience Part 4

The Philippine Popular Music Festival 2013 Experience Part 2

Tayo-Tayo Lang’s Music Video Shoot

LJ Lee and Ebe Dancel

One of the songs that stood out during the Philippine Popular Music Festival 2012 (PhilPop) was Tayo-Tayo Lang, composed by singer/songwriter Toto Sorioso. This song ended up in 2^nd place right behind grand prize winner Bawat Hakbang by Karl Villuga. Former Sugarfree frontman Ebe Dancel recorded this song for the PhilPop album (now certified platinum) and Ebe also showed what a trooper he is when interpreted it during the finals despite almost having no voice.

Right after the launch of the Philippine Popular Music Festival 2013, the music video for Tayo-Tayo Lang was shot and I found myself having a bit part in it. The song talks about a singer performing on stage to almost a non existing audience. And the music video tried to depict that scenario at the Genting Club over at Maxim's Hotel in Resorts World Manila with Ebe Dancel as the lonely singer and me as one of the patrons who threaten to leave the pleading Ebe alone on stage.

Patricia Hizon

The music video was directed by LJ Lee whom I think was the youngest person at the entire shoot which was really impressive. He shot Ebe and the rest of us while playing a sped up music track. This in turn would result in a slower and more fluid movement by everyone when the video is shown with the song playing in its normal speed. In between takes, Ebe would jokingly make comments at the microphone using a lot slower and much deeper voice just to balance things out. Patricia Hizon, one of the producers of the video, was the “jill of all trades” during the shoot shuffling from being Ebe’s stand in while the lights were getting set up, relaying the director’s instructions to the extras and keeping the energy and morale high throughout the whole shoot.

LJ Lee, Ebe Dancel and Toto Sorioso

I was very surprised by how the music video turned out. I wasn’t even aware during the actual shoot that it would be in black and white. I might have had very limited screen time but that is fine with me. I still do find it awesome to be one of the extras at an Ebe Dancel music video. And this music video shoot did make my PhilPop experience a lot more special. Thanks once again to the music video’s producers Girlie Rodis and Patricia Hizon for letting me join in this fun shoot.

Before I forget, the deadline for submission of entries for the Philippine Popular Music Festival  2013 has been extended to March 31, 2013 and we are now a week into the month. I do hope that songwriters will not pass up this chance for their song to win a cool P1,000,000 in cash and be part of OPM history.

The Philippine Popular Music Festival 2012 album, distributed by Ivory Music & Video, is still available in record stores nationwide. Tayo-Tayo Lang and the rest of the tracks are also available in digital format over at MyMusicStore Philippines.

Philippine Popular Music Festival 2012

Tracks:

1. 3 AM

2. Bawat Hakbang

3. Bigtime

4. Brown

5. Dulo ng Dila

6. Himig ng Panahon

7. Kesa

8. Kontrabida

9. Minsa'y Isang Bansa

10. Negastar

11. Piso

12. Slowdancing

13. Takusa

14. Tayo-Tayo Lang

Toto Sorioso

Toto Sorioso also has released an album entitled Totoismo under MCA Music that features the songs Gupit and Himala ay Nawala. The album Totoismo is available in record stores nationwide and Gupit, Himala ay Nawala and the rest of the tracks are also available in digital format over at MyMusicStore Philippines.

Totoismo

Tracks:

1. Kawawang Baga Ko

2. Gupit

3. Oweeyowee

4. Window Relationship

5. Himala ay Nawala

6. Tingnan Mo

7. Di Namalayan

8. Di Alam

9. We Made Noise to Make Some Sense

10. Laging Nandiyan

11. Gupit (Acoustic Version)

The Philippine Popular Music Festival 2013 Experience Part 1
The Philippine Popular Music Festival 2013 Experience Part 3
The Philippine Popular Music Festival 2013 Experience Part 4

The Philippine Popular Music Festival 2013 Experience Part 1

The Press Launch

After the success of the first ever Philippine Popular Music Festival, it’s no longer a surprise that the songwriting competition is back for a second edition this 2013. And for this year, PhilPop goes with the tagline Ako ang Musikang Pilipino! (I am Filipino Music!) aiming to put Filipino songwriters back into the spotlight. Ryan Cayabyab returns as the festival’s Executive Director.

I’ve had a blast with my experience last year with PhilPop and I did wonder how long I had to wait before the next one comes around. It turned out that I didn’t have to wait much further since PhilPop is now up and running. The website has started accepting song submissions starting this January 1, 2013 with the deadline of submission ending on February 28, 2013.

Last year, former Akafellas member Karl Villuga’s Bawat Hakbang emerged victorious out of the almost 3,000 entries submitted. And this song won him a cool P1,000,000 which is again the prize money for this year’s eventual winner. Toto Sorioso placed second with his entry Tayo-Tayo Lang while Australia based Soc Villanueva placed third with his song Kontrabida. The other finalists, though they didn’t win any of the major prizes, felt that the competition changed their lives and it opened a lot of doors for them. And they are very thrilled that the compilation album featuring all of the top 14 songs has just been certified platinum.

Ryan Cayabyab with some of the PhilPOP 2012 Finalists

For those who would want to submit entries for this year, check out the website www.philpop.com.ph for a set of updated rules. Responding to the feedback gathered from last year’s competition, there will be a more grueling screening selection process in choosing the top 14 finalists.

Here are more details included in the press release regarding the competition rules:

The competition is open to amateurs and professionals, participant must be of Filipino descent so even those residing abroad can join, the song entry may be written in a popular or new song genre, or a fusion thereof, in any form or structure, as lyrics may be in Filipino, a Philippine regional language, a Philippine dialect, English, or any combination thereof.

The song entry must be entirely original. It must not be licensed to any publisher; has not been printed and distributed as hard copy; or through the internet; has never been previously recorded and must not infringe on any existing copyright or any other rights. It must not have been performed live in any venue, on traditional radio and television, or internet, or pre-recorded and uploaded on the internet, or recorded on video or other format for future broadcast.

Ryan Cayabyab

The Philippine Popular Music Festival 2013 was launched at the Genting Club over at the Maxim’s Hotel, Resorts World Manila. During the launch, Ryan Cayabyab recalled the Workshop with the Maestro series, gave a sneak peek of Pintig and several of the finalists performed their songs.

I think it’s nice to include in here what Ryan Cayabyab wrote in my little notebook of OPM icons. In it, he wrote Enjoy ka lang! Just Enjoy! which I actually do when I play these notes on the piano.

Just Enjoy!

PhilPop is supported by Maynilad, Smart, Meralco, PLDT, Resorts World Manila, TV5, Metro Pacific Investments Corporation, NLEX, Sun Cellular, the First Pacific Leadership Academy, KBP, and Philex.

The Philippine Popular Music Festival 2013 Experience Part 2
The Philippine Popular Music Festival 2013 Experience Part 3
The Philippine Popular Music Festival 2013 Experience Part 4