If you’ve been watching ASAP in the last two Sundays, you would have noticed a segment in the show in which four singers/performers dishing out new songs written specifically for the Himig Handog 2018 competition.
The songs are being judged by singers Jed Madela, songwriter/singer Yeng Constantino, songwriter/producer Jungee Marcelo, DJ Toni of MOR 101.9, and ASAP Business Unit Head Joyce Liquicia. They are tasked to judge the preliminaries of the contest, the winners of which will be announced on Nov. 25.
The performances in ASAP started on Oct. 7 and the second four performed last Sunday, Oct. 14.
Ten songs were chosen from over 5,000 entries sent by Filipinos from all over the Philippines and across the globe and they are vying to become this year’s Best Song from the country’s biggest and much-awaited songwriting competition.
These original compositions are being interpreted by some of today’s hottest and rising music performers in the tradition of Himig Handog, with this year’s theme “Love Songs and Love Stories.”
Your Face Sounds Familiar Kids season 2 contestants Krystal Brimner and Sheena Belarmino, together with the all-female idol group MNL 48, are interpreting “Dalawang Pag-ibig Niya” by Bernard Reforsado of Albay, a cheerful tune about a girl who is falling for a guy with two loves.
“TNT” singer Eumee sings “Hati Na Lang Tayo Sa Kanya” by Joseph Santiago of Quezon City, a woman’s plea to another woman that shares with her the man she loves.
Kyla returns for the fourth time as Himig Handog interpreter joined by upcoming rapper Kritiko for “Kababata” by John Michael Edixon of Parañaque City, a ballad about a lost love, the childhood friend died in a gruesome incident of rape and murder.
“Mas Mabuti Pa,” by Mhonver Lopez and Joanna Concepcion of Laguna, is interpreted by this year’s “Tawag Ng Tanghalan” grand champion Janine Berdin.
BoybandPH, meanwhile, perform “Para Sa Tabi,” by Robert William Pereña, an entry all the way from Dubai, United Arab Emirates in the Middle East.
Araw Gabi lead actor JM de Guzman sings Davao’s pride Kyle Raphael Borbon’s “Sa Mga Bituin Na Lang Ibubulong.”
“Sugarol” by Jan Sabili of Muntinlupa City is performed by Star Pop artist Maris Racal.
Jona also returns to Himig Handog as interpreter for the third consecutive year, this time for the entry “Tinatapos Ko Na" by Sarah Jane Gandia from USA.
“Wakasan” by Philip Arvin Jarilla of Antipolo is being performed by OPM band Agsunta, while “Wala Kang Alam,” by Martin John Arellano of Manila and Mel Magno of Pampanga, is being sung by Sam Mangubat.
Himig Handog 2018 will be awarding P1 million to the grand prize winner, while P500,000 will be brought home by the 2nd Best Song. The composers of the 3rd, 4th, and 5th Best Songs will receive P200,000, P150,000, and P100,000, respectively.
Now on its 9th year, the ABS-CBN and Star Music project continues to discover Filipino talents and champion OPM in its search for compositions that will make its mark in the local music scene.
Last year, Libertine Amistoso’s “Titibo-Tibo” interpreted by Moira dela Torre earned the Himig Handog 2017 Best Song and won the hearts of many listeners.
For details, like @HimigHandog2018 on Facebook.
You may also visit starmusic.ph, like Star Music on facebook.com/starmusicph, and follow it on Twitter and Instagram @ StarMusicPH.
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MTRCB celebrates 33rd anniversary
The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) celebrated at its office another year of service for the Filipino people as it reached its 33rd Anniversary on Oct. 5. At the head of the event was the Chairperson Rachel Arenas with the Board Members as they showed their support.
The simple celebration began with a thanksgiving mass with Fr. Jerome Marquez, Provincial Superior from Catholic Trade Manila, officiating and attended by the Board Members and staff of the agency. Celebrating with MTRCB were also the sisters from the Daughters of St. Paul, also singing as a choir during the holy mass.
In line with this celebration, the MTRCB also formalized its partnership with the Quezon City Film Development Commission (QCFDC) in the interest of empowering the movie industry further.
Chairperson Arenas representing the agency and QCFDC Executive Director Eduardo Lejano, Jr. for QCFDC signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) in the presence of Quezon City International Film Festival (QCIFF) Executive Director Manet Dayrit; QCIFF Technical Consultant Ricardo Salomon, Jr.; MTRCB Board Members Atty. Gaby Concepcion, Atty. Jerermiah Jaro, and Bibeth Orteza.
The MOU is also in anticipation of the QCinema International Film Festival that seeks to encourage the Filipino filmmakers to create well-crafted movies based on nationalism positive Filipino values, and gender sensitivity, which is welcomed by MTRCB.
To commemorate the occasion further, Chairperson Arenas also led the signing of the renewed Collective Negotiations Agreement (CNA) formed by the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board Employee Association (MTRCBEA) together with the Confederation for Unity, Recognition, and Advancement of Government Employees (C.O.U.R.A.G.E.) National President, Ferdinand Gaite, as well as the newly appointed officers of MTRCBEA.
At the signing, Chairperson Arenas expressed her appreciation towards the agency’s staff and commended them for their genuine and continuous dedication in service of the Filipino people through MTRCB. Chairperson Arenas also stressed, that unity, is the fundamental element which keeps the office together and that the agency moves forward as one family.
