Jazz Nicolas and Wally Acolala bagged the grand prize at PhilPop 2016 during the jampacked finals night at Kia Theatre in Araneta Center.
The two brought home P1 million and the much-coveted Orlina trophy. They won for their song “’Di Na Muli,” which was interpreted by Jazz’s band, Itchyworms.
Winning second was Soc Villanueva’s entry “Lahat,” interpreted by Jason Dy, and on third place were Paolo and Miguel Guico for “Tinatangi,” interpreted by Bayang Barrios and Cooky Chua featuring Benjamins.
They now join the legion of most talented songwriters held in high esteem by their peers and respected by the industry.
Villanueva and Dy also won Maynilad People’s Choice Award, getting the most number of streams for the song, “Lahat.” The Maynilad People’s Choice awardees won P100,000.00 and a customized Castrillo trophy.
“Tinatangi” by the Guico brothers won the PLDT-Smart Best Music Video. They also took home P100,000.00 plus a customized Castrillo trophy.
Apart from the top prize of P1 million, other PhilPop 2016 winners P500,000.00 for the first runner up and P250,000.00 for the second runner up. The top three winners also received trophies made by Ramon Orlina. This year, all the finalists and interpreters were awarded special trophies customized by Ronald Castrillo.
The night was hosted by the wonder boys of Boys Night Out and Viva Films’ Bella Padilla, and featured production numbers by guest performers Ogie Alcasid, Aiza Seguerra, Donna Cruz, Andrew E., Chad Borja, Mark Bautista, Kim Molina, Jeric Medina and past PhilPop grand prize winners, Thyro Alfaro and Yumi Lacsamana. The show was aired on a delayed telecast on Tv5 on July 23.
Judges included singer-songwriter Noel Cabangon, hip-hop artist and rapper Gloc-9, actress Joanna Ampil, Maynilad COO Randolf T. Estrellado, and FILSCAP President Rico Blanco.
Now on its fifth year, and as the grand kick-off to the Linggo ng Musikang Pilipino, PhilPop continues to march on brimming with musical zeal like how it was on the day it was conceptualized and founded in 2012. The vision remains to be its singular mission, “to renew life and focus to the local music industry.” PhilPop Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan says, “We want to encourage songwriters to churn out original Filipino sound – to remind the world that Filipinos are not just great singers and performers, but also great songwriters; that Pinoy Pop deserves a spot on the world stage.”
PhilPop 2016 was co-presented by Maynilad and Meralco and sponsored by PLDT, Smart, NLEX, MetroPacific Investments, Inc., First Pacific Leadership Academy; with media and event partners IPO, TV5, NYXSYS, Magic 89.9, Pinas FM, Wish 107.5, Radio Republic, Brgy. LS 97.1, Win Radio, PBO, VIVA TV, TMC, MTV Pinoy, VIVA Records, and VIVA Live.