Radio personality and event host, Charm Gabileo announces the Top 8 Songwriters competing for the Grand Finals during the Semi-Finals last Nov. 28 at The Shops at Amigo
ILOILO CITY, Philippines - Iloilo Pop Song Festival, the first multimedia songwriting competition in the Province of Iloilo and the whole Western Visayas held its Semi Finals on November 28, 2015, 3 P.M. at The Shops at Amigo where 8 best of the best original Ilonggo songs emerged as grand finalists competing on December 18, 7 P.M. at San Enrique Gym in San Enrique, Iloilo. The Grand Finals will be hosted by Ilongga radio personality, Charm Gabileo of RMN DYRI Iloilo. From September 8 to November 15, 52 original Ilonggo and mix-Ilonggo song entries were sent by both amateur and professional songwriters and composers. 15 semi final songs were chosen by the organizers and judges to compete and were later trimmed down to only 8 grand finalists.
"As a songwriter, I write in behalf of all the people who has no venue for self-expression," says 21-year-old Ymmanuel Demigilo, a registered nurse from Sta. Barbara, Iloilo, who found his creative self in songwriting. When he heard about the online songwriting competition from his friends, he wrote his song entry entitled "Pagpalangga Mo" in relatively short period of time. He was surprised when the song was chosen as one of the grand finalists.
Rocky Fuentes, a 33-year-old computer technician and freelance musician from Bacolod City has been writing Ilonggo songs for several years. His songs are mostly based on real-life experiences which were dramatically transformed into his own unique artistry. He sent several songs in the competition and was unexpectedly surprised when his pop-rock styled track "Suplada" entered the Semi Finals and goos straight to the grand finals. "Until now, I still can't believe that my song is now included in the list of the best entries in the competition," he enthuses with excitement.
Coming from a family of singers, 25-year-old freelance acoustic singer and band member, Edward Callao from Bo. Obrero, Lapuz, Iloilo City loves to sing but his second passion is songwriting. When he heard about the competition, he immediately draft the lyrics and melody of his catchy Ilonggo song entitled "Nabatyagan." When the song entered the Top 15 and became a Top 8 grand finalist, he realized that his sacrifices paid off, dedicating his success for his family whose support is overwhelming.
Emman Abatayo, a prominent Ilonggo artist from Leganes, Iloilo who shot to fame as one of the finalists in the first season of Pinoy Dream Academy has written original songs for several OPM singers. He finds his recent success close-to-his-heart when his Ilonggo song "Sa Imo Lang Ako" entered straight to Iloilo Pop Song Festival's Top 15 and now competing for the grand finals. After all, one of his dreams is to create a timeless Ilonggo song that could touch lives and inspire his fellow Ilonggos.
Beyond his ambition to become a successful seafarer, Justin Andrew Perlas or EPIC from Iloilo City cites his passion for music as another source of happiness and sense of artistry. His Ilonggo song "Bitoon" is an optimistic rap song about someone's persistence to chase his dreams in life no matter what the cost. The song reached the Top 15 and elevated into the Top 8 as grand finalist in the Iloilo Pop Song Festival.
"I've always dreamt of writing an anthem for our beloved city and this song is more of a self-fulfillment rather than to be famous," says 32-year-old entrepreneur Joel Lenaming from Jaro, Iloilo City. "Pinalangga Ko Nga Iloilo," one of his two song entries that entered the Top 15 was selected to compete in the grand finals. As a songwriter, he hopes to continue writing more songs and hopes his exposure in the competition will lead to his plan of creating a community for songwriters in Iloilo.
Ilonggo composer Francis Umadhay together with his band Francis Playground from Sta. Barbara, Iloilo have already launched a full album in September this year. When they heard about Iloilo Pop Song Festival, they immediately send their Ilonggo song "Imo Nga Yuhum" and was adjudged as one of the Top 15 semi finalists. Now that the song is set to compete in the grand finals, they are hoping to make a mark with their music.
One of the songs that stood out in the competition is the rock-themed song entry entitled "Maayo Kay Nabal-an Ta" composed by Beer Balasabas, vocalist of local band VIR Brand from Dumalag, Capiz. The song is a catchy rock-sounding track about fair-weathered friends. Impressive in terms of music arrangement, it swiftly goes straight to the semi finals and will be competing for the grand finals.
Iloilo Pop Song Festival 2015 is a collaborative project of the Local Government Unit of San Enrique, Iloilo spearheaded by its visionary municipal mayor, BGen. Ramona Palabrica-Go with the shared creative passion of RSLPhoenix Music and Kuris-AMX Multimedia, Inc. The Top 5 winners of the competition will receive cash prizes, trophies, framed certificates and music video contract from the organizers. The criteria for judging of the competition include 40% melody and music arrangement, 30% substance and creative lyrics, 20% artist's interpretation and 10% online sharing, views and likes (youtube and facebook). Star in a Million Season 2 First Runner-up, Tata Villaruel and Ilonggo Palanca Hall of Fame multi-disciplinary artist, Peter Solis Nery leads the judging panel of the competition.
Iloilo Pop Song Festival is co-presented by Panay News (official media partner), The Shops at Amigo, San Enrique Agricultural College Batch 1990, KAMATSE President Josie Padernal Palu-ay, Jovie Padernal-Hammond, Music and Lyric Production, Country Side Convenience Store, KMK Marketing, Team Icon (Usana Health Sciences), G/S Sunrise Eatery, Palmares Guest House, Titans Realty and Shirley Pork Stand. For more updates, check out www.facebook.com/iloilopopsongfestival and youtube.com.
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