Philpop Chairman Manny V. Pangilinan (MVP) welcomed the winners of PhilPop 2016 at his Meralco office in Pasig City on Aug 15.
The occasion also marked the celebration of the outstanding Filipino musical talent embodied through the winners of the premier music competition. The winners also received their respective cash prizes that afternoon.
Everyone in the room was grinning from ear to ear as MVP, assisted by PhilPop President, Ricky P. Vargas, PhilPop Vice President Patrick C. Gregorio, and PhilPop Board Member Roy Agustin K. Evalle, handed out to grand prize winners Jazz Nicolas and Wally Alcolala the P1 million check for their song “Di Na Muli.” The winning song was interpreted by Nicolas’ band– Itchyworms, represented that afternoon by Kelvin Yu and Chino Singson.
MCA artist Jason Dy received the cash prize of P500,000.00 in behalf of songwriter Soc Villegas who was still in Australia for the first-runner up citation of their song “Lahat,” that also won as Maynilad’s People’s Choice and bagged another P100,000.00 cash prize for it.
The young twins Miguel and Paulo Guico accepted the check for P250,000.00 cash prize for their song “Tinatangi,” interpreted by Bayang Barrios and Cooky Chua. “Tinatangi” also bagged the PLDT-Smart Best Music Video award with the corresponding P100,000.00 cash prize and the director Rey Gibraltar was on hand to receive it as well.
Currently, 7 out of the Top 20 MTV Pilipinas Hits are from the PhilPop 2016 album. “Dumadagundong,” written by Mike Villegas and Brian Cua and interpreted by Yassi Pressman claimed the 5th spot; “Binibini sa MRT,” written by Johann Garcia and interpreted by The Juans got the 7th spot; “Di Na Muli,” by Jazz Nicolas and Wally Acolala interpreted by Itchyworms landing the 8th spot; Soc Villllegas’ “Lahat,” interpreted by Jason Dy in the 9th spot; Joan Da’s “Baliw sa Ex-Boyfriend Ko,” interpreted by Sugar N’ Spice in the 10th spot; Aikee Aplacador’s “Pabili Po,” interpreted by Banda ni Kleggy and Aikee on the 13th spot and Keiko Necessario’s “Nobody But You,” interpreted by Monica Cuenco, landing on the 15th spot.
After the grand finals on July 23, the PhilPop MusicFest Foundation is mounting regional songwriting workshops from September to December. MVP was also delighted with the outcome and assured the winners that the MVP Group will continue to extend its support to local music industry.