My own list of Greatest Filipino Songwriters

I love reading lists and Rolling Stone magazine recently came out with another good one. Remember that one of greatest singers? This time around, it is a list of the 100 Greatest Songwriters. As expected, Bob Dylan, Paul McCartney and John Lennon topped the list.

So I figured, why not make my own list of the Greatest Filipino Songwriters. So I did and here it is. I limited it to the pop era, which means no Constancio de Guzman or Mike Velarde here. I also decided not to include the newer batch because we still do not know if their works will endure the test of time. You know like, will people still enjoy listening to Mahika and other Adie songs 30 or 50 years from now.

I chose the names based not on my personal preferences but on three things. These are the impact created by their works on Filipino culture. You may not think that Andrew E deserves to be in the lineup, but for sheer impact on listeners, he should be in it; the longevity of their songs, meaning that these remain popular from the time they were released to this day. Just think, George Canseco’s Kapantay ay Langit is already 50 years old. And that they have written at least two songs that became big hits. So no one-hit wonders here.

George Canseco, Kapantay ay Langit and Gaano Kadalas ang Minsan; Willy Cruz, Sana’y Wala nang Wakas, Bituing Walang Ningning; Jose Mari Chan, Christmas in our Hearts with Rina Caniza, Can We Just Stop and Talk a While; Ryan Cayabyab, Tuwing Umuulan at Kapiling Ka, Araw-Gabi.

Dennis Garcia and Rene Garcia, Bongga Ka Day, Annie Batungbakal; Florante, Handog, Ako’y Pinoy; Louie Ocampo, Tell Me with Alan Ayque, Ikaw Lang Ang Mamahalin with Joey Albert; Odette Quesada, To Love Again, Don’t Know What to Do; Rey Valera, Pangako Sa ‘yo, Kahit Maputi Na ang Buhok Ko;

Vehnee Saturno, Be My Lady, Till My Heartaches End with Tito Cayamanda; Cecile Azarcon, Ikaw ang Lahat sa Akin, Special Memory; Freddie Aguilar, Anak, Estudyante Blues; Francis M, Mga Kababayan Ko, Summer Nights; Trina Belamide, Tell the World of His Love, Now That I Have You; Jay Durias, Kahit Kailan, Rainbow;

Moy Ortiz and Edith Gallardo, Pagdating ng Panahon, Muntik na Kitang Minahal; Rico Blanco, 214, Your Universe. Gary Valenciano, Sana Maulit Muli with Angeli Valenciano and Take Me Out of the Dark with Freddie Santos; Chito Miranda, Harana, Bigotilyo; Tats Faustino, Dadalhin, Hindi Magbabago.

Ely Buendia, Ang Huling El Bimbo, Pare Ko; Ogie Alcasid, Kailangan Kita, Bakit Ngayon Ka Lang with Aaron Paul del Rosario; Lolita Carbon, Masdan Mo ang Kapaligiran, Himig ng Pag-ibig; Mike Hanopol, Laki sa Layaw, No Touch; Gary Granada, Kahit Konti, Pag Nananalo ang Ginebra; Aegis, Basang-basa sa Ulan, Halik.

APO’s Boboy Garovillo, Jim Paredes and Danny Javier, Gloc-9 and Chito Miranda, Freddie Aguilar and Vehnee Saturno

Photos from Artists’ Instagram

Jim Paredes, Tuyo ng Damdamin, Magkayakap sa Dilim; Danny Javier, Di Na Natuto, Awit ng Barkada; Danny Tan, Iisa Pa Lamang with Jose Javier Reyes, Sometimes You Just Know; Vic Sotto, Ipagpatawad Mo, Awitin Mo at Isasayaw Ko with Joey de Leon; Joey “Pepe” Smith, Ang Himig Natin, Rock en Roll sa Ulan; Heber Bartolome, Tayo’y Mga Pinoy, Nena;

Butch Monserrat, Umagang Kay Ganda, I Don’t Love You Anymore; Wency Cornejo, Habang May Buhay, Next in Line; Gary Perez, Bonggahan, Tao; Top Suzara, Before I Let You Go, So Slow; Andrew E, Humanap Ka ng Pangit, Shoot Shoot; Gloc-9, Sirena, Upuan; Medwin Marfil, Perfect, Muntik nang Maabot ang Langit.

I have written this piece from memory and personal knowledge. So, please remember that I am only human and not an infallible source of pop music history. I am sure that I missed out on some names who deserve to be on the list. For that I apologize and I will try to find the chance to make up for that lapse, if any, one of these days. It is also in no particular order, so although Medwin Marfil of True Faith came in last, that does not mean he is lesser than the others.

I limited it to the pop era, which means no Constancio de Guzman or Mike Velarde here. I also decided not to include the newer batch because we still do not know if their works will endure the test of time. I chose the names based not on my personal preferences but on three things: The impact created by their works on Filipino culture; the longevity of their songs; and that they have written at least two songs that became big hits.