We’ve gained another fantastic photo experience from shooting the first Philippine Popular Music Festival finals night, thanks once again for giving us the opportunity Ms. Krina C.

It’s our first time to shoot in PICC, first time to work in a much bigger venue like the Plenary Hall. The Philippine Popular Music Festival is the country’s most prestigious songwriting competition featuring OPM’s finest musicians and artists, a celebration of genuine musical artistry where every Filipinos must be proud of his own music. OPM deserved a grand salute.

We are glad to share this experience here in the blog. More photos of the PhilPop event HERE courtesy of VerJube Photographics. 

In a world-class stage, amazing songs were performed, all finalists had wondrous combination of melody and lyrics, and artists interpretation were outstanding. The program was hosted by TV host-singer-actress Nikki Gil and singer-songwriter Ogie Alcasid. Everyone were entertained by Jose and Wally’s production number. Such an honor to be able to witness live OPM performances from the local and prominent personalities including Basil Valdez, Hajji Alejandro, Sharon Cuneta, Regine Velasquez, Christian Bautista, Eric Santos, Kitchie Nadal, Barbie Almalbis, Gloc-9, Rachel Alejandro and Bituin Escalante among the performers. 

Grand Prize: Karl Villuga’s inspirational song “Bawat Hakbang” interpreted by Mark Bautista and Akafellas. 

First Runner-Up: Toto Sorioso’s mellow-rock composition “Tayo-Tayo Lang” interpreted by Ebe Dancel.

Second Runner-Up: Soc Villanueva’s R&B-ballad “Kontrabida” interpreted by Sam Concepcion 

The winners bagged 1M, P500,000 and P250,000, respectively, with a special trophy created by the award-winning glass sculptor Ramon Orlina. The finalists received P50,000 as consolation prize. The People’s Choice award goes to James Leyte’s pop-reggae “Brown.”

Song evaluations were based on concept and execution with artistic and creative merits judged by musicians Louie Ocampo, Jim Paredes, Noel Cabangon and Ely Buendia, radio DJ Chico Garcia, Record Executive Kathleen Dy-Go, and Maynilad Chief Finance Officer Randy Estrallado.

Other Philpop’s top entries include: Keiko Necesario’s 3 A.M. (Marié Digby), Trina Belamide’s “Big Time” (Baihana), Gary Granada’s “Minsa’y Isang Bansa” (performed with Val Villanueva), Thryo Alfaro’s “Himig Ng Panahon” (performed with Yumi, Loonie, Luke Mijares, Duncan Ramos and the PUP Bagong Himig Alumni), Edwin Marollano’s Kesa (Daniel Gorospe), Krist Melecio’s “Piso” (Joey Ayala), Noah Zuniga’s “Dulo Ng Dila” (JayR and DJ Poblete), Byron Ricamara’s “Takusa” (performed with Rocksteddy), Mike Villegas’ “Negastar” (performed with Cathy Go), and Kennard Faraon’s “Slowdancing” (Nyoy Volante). All songs were compiled in CD exclusively produced by Vic Valenciano, distributed by Ivory Records and is now available in mymusicstore.com.ph. The album is a collection of different genres, all fresh OPM songs ranging from R&B, acoustic and electronic music, to ballad, big band, reggae, ethnic, and rock. Buy your own copies now and support OPM!

Song snippets of the final 14 songs in the video below courtesy of philpopmusic or visit at PhilPOP.com.ph.

 The Philippine Popular Music Festival | 14 July 2012 | PICC

The Philippine Popular Music Festival (PhilPOP) has announced the artists and performers who will interpret the final 14 songs during the big night on July 14, 2012 at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC). The roster includes well-known and renowned industry names from various music genres.

Bigtime - Music and Lyrics by Trina Belamide / Interpreted by Baihana

Negastar - Music and Lyrics by Michael Joseph Villegas / Interpreted by Cathy Go

Takusa - Music and Lyrics by Byron Ricamara / Interpreted by Rocksteddy 

Tayo Tayo Lang - Music and Lyrics by Ronaldo Sorioso / Interpreted by Ebe Dancel

Piso - Music and Lyrics by Kristofferson B. Melecio / Interpreted by Joey Ayala

Kontrabida - Music and Lyrics by Soc Villanueva / Interpreted by Sam Concepcion

3am - Music and Lyrics by Keiko Necesario / Interpreted by Marié Digby

Brown - Music by James Leyte & Jezreel de Oca, Lyrics by James Leyte / Interpreted by Brownman Revival

Slowdancing - Music and Lyrics by John Kennard Eleazar Faraon / Interpreted by Nyoy Volante

Dulo ng Dila - Music and Lyrics by Noah Zuñiga Cabalquinto / Interpreted by Jay R and Deejay Poblete

Bawat Hakbang - Music and Lyrics by Karl Vincent Villuga / Interpreted by Mark Bautista

Minsa’y Isang Bansa - Music and Lyrics by Gary Granada / Interpreted by Gary Granada

Himig ng Panahon - Music and Lyrics by Timothy Anjello Alfaro / Interpreted by Thyro and Yumi with Duncan Ramos and Luke Mijares

Kesa - Music and Lyrics by Edwin Marollano / Interpreted by Daniel Grospe

The PhilPOP grand prize winner will take home P1 million while two runners-up will each receive P500,000 and P250,000 respectively. A People’s Choice award will also be given to the most popular entry to be decided by texting PhilPop to 2929 for Smart and Sun subscribers.

Incidentally, PhilPop Executive Director Ryan Cayabyab recently announced that the CD containing the compilation of all the fourteen (14) finalists and exclusively produced no less, by Vic Valenciano, distributed by Ivory Records will now be available at all music stores nationwide. 

Mr. Cayabyab even added that, “The CD is wonderful.  Ang gaganda ng mga kanta! I have never heard anything so uniformly, highly musical in performance.  The arrangements themselves are excellent.  I believe there will be several hits that will be spawned by this collection.  I am thrilled by the fact that these new Pinoy songs are fresh, new sounds with new lyrical concepts, or even if they are not new concepts, the approach is definitely new and the performances of the interpreters are indeed gems!  Hindi pa man contest proper, panalo na tayong lahat.  This is a major collection and I am very proud to be a part of the Philippine Popular Music Festival.”     

Original article HERE. 

Here’s the excerpts of the final 14 songs may be listened HERE courtesy of philpopmusic or visit at PhilPOP.com.ph.