‘Mahal Ko o Mahal Ako’ wins Himig Handog 2014; KZ Tandingan named Best Interpreter

CEBU, Philippines –  “Mahal Ko o Mahal Ako,” an original Filipino love song written by Edwin Marollano and interpreted by KZ Tandingan emerged grand prize winner at the “Himig Handog Pinoy Pop (P-Pop) Love Songs 2014” held at the Araneta Coliseum on Sunday, September 28.

Marollano bested 14 other songwriter-finalists to win the P1-million cash prize and a trophy designed by renowned sculptor Michael Cancio. KZ, meanwhile, bagged the ABS-CBN.com Favorite Interpreter Award.

Hailed as the 2nd Best Song was “Halik Sa Hangin,” a song written by David Dimaguila and interpreted by Ebe Dancel with Abra. The other winners are “Mahal Kita Pero” (3rd Best Song, composed by Melchora Mabilog and interpreted by Janella Salvador); “Walang Basagan ng Trip” (4th Best Song, composed by Eric De Leon and interpreted by Jugs and Teddy) and “Hindi Wala” (5th Best Song, composed by Nica del Rosario and interpreted by Juris).

Meanwhile, the following special awards were also given away during the finals night of the country’s biggest multimedia songwriting competition: Star Cinema’s Choice Award – “Halik sa Hangin,” MYX’s Choice for Best Music Video Award – “Mahal Kita Pero” (music video director: San Beda College Alabang), Star Music Listener’s Choice Award – “Bumabalik Ang Nagdaan” (composed by Sarah Jane Gandia and interpreted by Jessa Zaragoza), MOR 101.9 Listener’s Choice Award and ABS-CBNmobile Fan Favorite Award – “Simpleng Tulad Mo” (composed by Meljohn Magno and interpreted by Daniel Padilla), and TFC’s Choice Award and Star Studio Reader’s Choice Award – “If You Don’t Want to Fall” (composed by Jude Gitamondoc and interpreted by Jed Madela).

The other finalists of this year’s “Himig Handog P-Pop Love Songs” are “Akin Ka Na Lang” (composed by Francis Louis Salazar and interpreted by Morissette Amon); “Dito” (composed by Raizo Brent Chabeldin and Biv De Vera and interpreted by Jovit Baldivino), “Hanggang Kailan” (composed by Jose Joel Mendoza and interpreted by Angeline Quinto); “Pare Mahal Mo Raw Ako” (composed by Jovinor Tan and interpreted by Michael Pangilinan); “Pumapag-ibig” (composed by Jungee Marcelo and interpreted by Marion Aunor featuring Rizza and Seed); “Umiiyak ang Puso” (composed by Rolando Azor and interpreted by Bugoy Drilon); and “Everything Takes Time” (composed and interpreted by Hazel Faith dela Cruz).

“Himig Handog” is the Philippines’ first interactive multimedia songwriting tilt launched by ABS-CBN in 2000, originally to pay tribute to the overseas Filipino workers.

Now on its sixth year, “Himig Handog” continues to search for exceptional amateur and professional Filipino songwriters, and endearing and uniquely Pinoy love songs that transcend generations, and which stand out like some of today’s OPM classic love songs, which include “Hanggang” interpreted by Wency Cornejo; “Kung Ako Na Lang Sana” by Bituin Escalante; “Kung Ako Ba Siya” by Piolo Pascual; “Bye Bye Na” by Rico Blanco; “This Guy’s In Love With You Pare” by Chito Miranda; and two of 2013’s biggest hits: Daniel’s “Nasa Iyo Na Ang Lahat” and Aiza Seguerra’s  “Anong Nangyari Sa Ating Dalawa.”

The “Himig Handog” 2014 album is now available at all record bars nationwide for P299.  Digital tracks can now be downloaded at P25 each via Starmusic.ph, Amazon.com, Mymusicstore.com.ph and iTunes.

For more information about “Himig Handog P-Pop Love Songs,” visit Star Records’ Facebook fanpage at www.facebook.com/starrecordsphil or follow @starrecordsph on Twitter. (PR)