Proud to be Himig Handog interpreters

MANILA, Philippines – Songwriters and interpreters are once again set to display their talent in expressing the different facets of love through songs in the finals night of this year’s Himig Handog P-Pop Love Songs on April 24 at the Kia Theater.

Fifteen original compositions will be interpreted by some of the country’s popular OPM artists who expressed delight and appreciation for being chosen to express the experiences and emotions of every song.

According to Star Music head Roxy Liquigan, the selection process is one arduous task that the committee has to take on every year, so as to come up with the best song finalists for the Himig Handog tilt. For this year’s competition, Star Music was flooded with 7,000 song entries.

“So we listened — for several months — to about 400 songs every day in order to come up with the Top 3,000 then we trimmed them down again to 1,000,” said Roxy. “We got judges from all over to help since it became difficult for us to choose. We got three (judges) from radio, two from MYX, five from Star Music and one from CCM. Their ages vary to know kung ano ’yung magugustuhan ng lahat.”

Like Ambon — composed by Nica del Rosario with Barbie Almalbis as interpreter — Roxy revealed they found it too emotional because “lyrics-wise we felt hugot na hugot s’ya like the line, ‘sa ‘yo bumabagyo na, sa akin ambon pa lang.’ So we need to have other people to listen to know if everyone can relate to the song. There are songs na nakakatawa at nakakakilig.”

He added, “When we came up with Top 150, we got composers and singers to judge and with Top 60 until the Top 15, we had (people) top management na kasi pilian na rin kung saan magagamit, kanino bagay. So lahat ito ay may pag-gagamitan.”

No wonder, all the artists are honored to be part of Himig Handog because they, too, get instant recall once the songs become popular. Proof to that were some of the musical pieces in the previous Himig Handog contests that became “anthems” for music fans like Daniel Padilla’s Nasa ‘Yo na ang Lahat and Aiza Seguerra’s Anong Nangyari sa Ating Dalawa in 2013, Pare Mahal Mo Raw Ako interpreted by Michael Pangilinan and KZ Tandingan’s Mahal Ko o Mahal Ako in 2014.

Marlo Mortel expressed his happiness for being tapped as one of the interpreters for this year’s songwriters’ tilt. He will perform Francis Louis Salazar’s Mananatili with Janella Salvador.

“I’m very honored and excited. I’ve been a fan actually since the first Himig Handog (edition) and for me to be included in the list of big-name singers, feeling ko wow very magaling na magaling na singer na rin ako,” Marlo said. “For sure, many will be surprised because our song is mature for our age but we will make sure that it fits our style. The first time we sang it, our tones blended well naman so it’s a fun experience.”

Equally proud is Kyla who will perform Jungee Marcelo’s Monumento with Kris Lawrence. “It’s a privilege to be able to sing and be chosen as an interpreter. This is already my third time but it always feels like the first time for me sa ganda ng mga songs. Ours is an inspiring (one) that I’m sure it will touch a lot of people.”

Michael, too, cannot be thankful enough for the opportunity to sing an original Himig Handog entry for the second time.

“When I was invited to sing for this year’s Himig Handog, the first thing that came to my mind was not about competing but having a new family. I mean isang pamilya s’ya na magiging buo at magkakaroon ako ng new set of friends because all of us here interpreters and composers are happy that this is a great chance for us to give beautiful songs to all,” shared Michael who will be singing Marlon Barnuevo’s Parang Tayo Pero Hindi with Angeline Quinto.

Angeline, on the other hand, never denied feeling disappointed when she failed to bag any prize the first time she sang for Himig Handog.

“This is my third time to join. Noong unang natalo ako, ang laki ng epekto sa akin dahil inisip ko baka dahil sa akin kaya natalo ang kanta at nahiya ako sa composer so I told myself I’ll never accept an invitation again. But later on, I realized na di naman talaga ako nananalo agad kahit sa mga kontes na sinalihan ko so I again told myself why turn down a composer who is hoping or praying to get his composition to be sung by an artist? At kung may ganun man sa akin, hindi ko ipagdadamot ’yung boses ko para sa kanta n’ya.”

Besides, Roxy said that most of the songwriters who joined in the competition were invited to write songs for Star Music artists. “So we have composers who, even if they were not included in the Top 15, are writing songs for us.”

Other composers and interpreters in this year’s batch are David Dimaguila with Laban Pa interpreted by KZ and Jay-R, Honlani Rabe and Jack Rufo (O Pag-Ibig, Bailey May and Ylona Garcia), Oliver Narag (Patay na si Uto, Nyoy Volante), Davey Langit (Dalawang Letra, Itchyworms), Aries Salas (Nyebe, Kaye Cal), Jungee (Diamante, Morissette Amon), Hazel Faith dela Cruz (Bibitawan Ka, Juris), Jose Joel Mendoza (Sana Tumibok Muli, Klarisse de Guzman), Dante Bantatua (Maghihintay Ako, Jona), Rolando Azor (Minamahal Pa Rin Ako, Daryl Ong) and Agatha and Melvin Morallos (Tama Lang, Jolina Magdangal).

The Best Song will receive P1M while the second Best Song wins P500,000. The composers for the third, fourth and fifth Best Songs will bag P200,000; P150,000; and P100,000, respectively. There are also special awards namely, MOR 101.9’s Choice, Onemusic.ph Favorite Interpreter and Star Music Listeners Choice.