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Metro Manila Popular Music Festival



 
 
The Metro Manila Popular Music Festival (also known as Metropop) is a songwriting competition launched by the Popular Music Foundation of the Philippines in 1977. Its objective was to promote the advancement of Filipino music, and its chief proponents were Teodoro Valencia and Imee Marcos. There were a total of eight festivals held; the Finals nights were held from 1978 to 1985.

This songwriting competition was originally open to all music composers; however, from the Fifth festival onwards, the competition was divided into Professional and Amateur Divisions, to give new songwriters a level playing field without competing with more well-known composers.

These festivals launched many the careers of songwriters and singers (who interpreted the songs), and gave original Filipino music more than a few memorable and modern-day song classics.

Following is a listing of all the Festival songs, songwriters and interpreters:

The First Metro Manila Popular Music Festival (Finals night: 1978)

Grand Prize: KAY GANDA NG ATING MUSIKA - Music and Lyrics: Ryan Cayabyab
Ryan Cayabyab

Ryan Cayabyab is a renowned Philippines musician and was the Executive and Artistic Director of the defunct San Miguel Foundation for the Performing Arts....
 / Interpreter: Hajji Alejandro

Second Prize: PAGDATING MO - Music and Lyrics: Nonoy Gallardo / Interpreter: Celeste Legaspi

Third Prize: NARITO AKO UMIIBIG - Music and Lyrics: Nonong Pedero / Interpreter: Maricris Bermont

Fourth Prize: IBIG KONG IBIGIN KA - Music and Lyrics: Vic Villafuerte, Rolando Tinio / Interpreter: Anthony Castelo

Finalists:

ANAK - Music and Lyrics: Freddie Aguilar / Interpreter: Freddie Aguilar

ANG DAMPA SA GULOD - Music and Lyrics: Joe Reyes / Interpreter: Imelda Papin

MAHAL - Music and Lyrics: James Villafuerte / Interpreter: Lejan Lopez

MINSAN PA - Music and Lyrics: Jose Mari Chan / Interpreter: Janet Basco

NGUMITI...TUMAWA...MAGSAYA...KUMANTA - Music and Lyrics: Joe Reyes / Interpreter: Cynthia Garcia and the Kabataan

PAG-IBIG, ANO KA NGA BA - Music and Lyrics: Cecille Marcaida / Interpreter: Nick Gonzales

PANGAKO - Music and Lyrics: Vic Villafuerte, Rolando Tinio / Interpreter: Rex Demavivas

SAAN AKO PATUTUNGO - Music and Lyrics: Jose Ilacad, Jr., Nannette Inventor / Interpreter: Nannette Inventor

SWERTE-SWERTE LANG - Music and Lyrics: Joel Navarro / Interpreter: Joel Navarro

TAYO'Y MGA PINOY - Music and Lyrics: Heber Bartolome / Interpreter: Judas

"ANAK" didn't win the Grand Prize, but went on to become one of the most popular Pilipino pop songs ever, and it launched too the career of Freddie Aguilar
Freddie Aguilar

Ferdinand Pascual Aguilar, better known as Freddie Aguilar, is a famous Folk music musician from the Philippines. He is best known for the hit "Bayan Ko", which became the anthem for the opposition to the Ferdinand Marcos regime during the 1986 People Power Revolution....
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The Metro Manila Popular Music Festival (also known as Metropop) is a songwriting competition launched by the Popular Music Foundation of the Philippines in 1977. Its objective was to promote the advancement of Filipino music, and its chief proponents were Teodoro Valencia and Imee Marcos. There were a total of eight festivals held; the Finals nights were held from 1978 to 1985.

This songwriting competition was originally open to all music composers; however, from the Fifth festival onwards, the competition was divided into Professional and Amateur Divisions, to give new songwriters a level playing field without competing with more well-known composers.

These festivals launched many the careers of songwriters and singers (who interpreted the songs), and gave original Filipino music more than a few memorable and modern-day song classics.

Following is a listing of all the Festival songs, songwriters and interpreters:

The First Metro Manila Popular Music Festival (Finals night: 1978)

Grand Prize: KAY GANDA NG ATING MUSIKA - Music and Lyrics: Ryan Cayabyab
Ryan Cayabyab

Ryan Cayabyab is a renowned Philippines musician and was the Executive and Artistic Director of the defunct San Miguel Foundation for the Performing Arts....
 / Interpreter: Hajji Alejandro

Second Prize: PAGDATING MO - Music and Lyrics: Nonoy Gallardo / Interpreter: Celeste Legaspi

Third Prize: NARITO AKO UMIIBIG - Music and Lyrics: Nonong Pedero / Interpreter: Maricris Bermont

Fourth Prize: IBIG KONG IBIGIN KA - Music and Lyrics: Vic Villafuerte, Rolando Tinio / Interpreter: Anthony Castelo

Finalists:

ANAK - Music and Lyrics: Freddie Aguilar / Interpreter: Freddie Aguilar

ANG DAMPA SA GULOD - Music and Lyrics: Joe Reyes / Interpreter: Imelda Papin

MAHAL - Music and Lyrics: James Villafuerte / Interpreter: Lejan Lopez

MINSAN PA - Music and Lyrics: Jose Mari Chan / Interpreter: Janet Basco

NGUMITI...TUMAWA...MAGSAYA...KUMANTA - Music and Lyrics: Joe Reyes / Interpreter: Cynthia Garcia and the Kabataan

PAG-IBIG, ANO KA NGA BA - Music and Lyrics: Cecille Marcaida / Interpreter: Nick Gonzales

PANGAKO - Music and Lyrics: Vic Villafuerte, Rolando Tinio / Interpreter: Rex Demavivas

SAAN AKO PATUTUNGO - Music and Lyrics: Jose Ilacad, Jr., Nannette Inventor / Interpreter: Nannette Inventor

SWERTE-SWERTE LANG - Music and Lyrics: Joel Navarro / Interpreter: Joel Navarro

TAYO'Y MGA PINOY - Music and Lyrics: Heber Bartolome / Interpreter: Judas

"ANAK" didn't win the Grand Prize, but went on to become one of the most popular Pilipino pop songs ever, and it launched too the career of Freddie Aguilar
Freddie Aguilar

Ferdinand Pascual Aguilar, better known as Freddie Aguilar, is a famous Folk music musician from the Philippines. He is best known for the hit "Bayan Ko", which became the anthem for the opposition to the Ferdinand Marcos regime during the 1986 People Power Revolution....
. This period in time was right at the beginning of the Original Pilipino Music (OPM) boom, and after this first festival, the singing careers of Hajji Alejandro, Celeste Legaspi, Maricris Bermont, and Anthony Castelo went to full gear. Ryan Cayabyab is now a well-respected composer and musician; so with Joel Navarro. Imelda Papin
Imelda Papin

Imelda Papin is one of the enduring names in the Philippine music industry. Dubbed as the Sentimental Songstress, Imelda Papin is responsible for enduring Filipino hit songs such as "Bakit " and "Isang Linggong Pag-ibig"....
 and Janet Basco went on to big careers as well after they had other hit songs. Heber Bartolome's "TAYO'Y MGA PINOY" became a nationalistic anthem, and Ryan Cayabyab's "KAY GANDA NG ATING MUSIKA" became the anthem of sorts of Original Pilipino Music.

The Second Metro Manila Popular Music Festival (Finals night: 1979)

Grand Prize: BULAG, PIPI AT BINGI (ISANG PAG-AALAY) - Music and Lyrics: Snaffu Rigor / Interpreter: Freddie Aguilar
Freddie Aguilar

Ferdinand Pascual Aguilar, better known as Freddie Aguilar, is a famous Folk music musician from the Philippines. He is best known for the hit "Bayan Ko", which became the anthem for the opposition to the Ferdinand Marcos regime during the 1986 People Power Revolution....


Second Prize: EWAN - Music and Lyrics: Louie Ocampo, Winnie Arrieta / Interpreter: The Apo Hiking Society

Third Prize: LUPA - Music and Lyrics: Charo Unite, Ernie dela Pena / Interpreter: Rico J. Puno
Rico J. Puno

Enrico de Jesus Puno , better known as Rico J. Puno, is a popular Filipino people pop singing artist who is credited as a pioneer-promoter of original Filipino music....


Finalists:

AKO ANG NASAWI, AKO ANG NAGWAGI - Music and Lyrics: George Canseco
George Canseco

George Masangkay Canseco was a Filipino people song composer.Canseco studied liberal arts at University of the East. After graduation, he worked for the Philippines Herald and the Associated Press as a journalist, a scriptwriter for the Manila Broadcasting Company, and news director at Eagle Broadcasting....
 / Interpreter: Dulce

ANG AKING AWITIN - Music and Lyrics: Bong Gabriel / Interpreter: Bong Gabriel

GUSTO KONG UMAWIT - Music and Lyrics: Ernie Tagle, Eduardo Mataranas / Interpreter: Ernie Tagle

ITAY, SAAN KA MAN NAROROON - Music and Lyrics: Chito Sibayan / Interpreter: Chito Sibayan

LAGING BUHAY ANG BUHAY - Music and Lyrics: Celia T. Lising / Interpreter: Jacqui Magno

LARUAN - Music and Lyrics: Edgar Guerrero / Interpreter: Cynthia Patag

MASDAN, TINGNAN ANG BUHAY - Music and Lyrics: Ma. Isabella Mijares / Interpreter: Malou Evidente

PANAGINIP, PANGARAP - Music and Lyrics: Manuel Perlas / Interpreter: God's Ego

UMAGANG KAY GANDA - Music and Lyrics: Butch Monserrat, Babes Conde, Gryk Ortaleza, Anabelle Lee / Interpreter: Tillie Moreno and Ray-An Fuentes

This time around, Freddie Aguilar's interpretation of Snaffu Rigor's composition won the Grand Prize. However, the biggest pop hit to come out of the Second Metropop was "EWAN". This song launched the career of Louie Ocampo, now a well-respected composer, and added to the numerous hits of The Apo Hiking Society. The APo is one of Pinoy music's biggest acts ever, and their songs have been covered through the years. Rico J. Puno
Rico J. Puno

Enrico de Jesus Puno , better known as Rico J. Puno, is a popular Filipino people pop singing artist who is credited as a pioneer-promoter of original Filipino music....
, already a big star at this time, interpreted the third place song, which also became a hit song for him. Composer George Canseco
George Canseco

George Masangkay Canseco was a Filipino people song composer.Canseco studied liberal arts at University of the East. After graduation, he worked for the Philippines Herald and the Associated Press as a journalist, a scriptwriter for the Manila Broadcasting Company, and news director at Eagle Broadcasting....
 didn't win any of the top prizes, but with his songs before and after the competition, he became one of the most prolific and successful composers in the music scene. "UMAGANG KAY GANDA" also didn't win any prize, but became a classic pop hit.

The Third Metro Manila Popular Music Festival (Finals night: 1980)

Grand Prize: ISANG MUNDO, ISANG AWIT - Music and Lyrics: Nonong Pedero / Interpreter: Leah Navarro

Second Prize: IKAW, AKO, TAYO (MAGKAKAPATID) - Music and Lyrics: Jose Lozano / Interpreter: New Minstrels

Third Prize: NANDOON NA, NAWALA PA - Music and Lyrics: Alfredo Lozano Jr. / Interpreter: Ray-An Fuentes

Finalists:

BUHAY KO'Y MAYRO'NG IKAW - Music and Lyrics: Felipe Monserrat, Diana Legaspi / Interpreter: Pinky de Leon

HAHANAPIN KO - Music and Lyrics: Jose Mari Chan
José Mari Chan

Jose Mari Chan is a renowned Chinese Filipino singer-songwriter and businessman. He was born in Iloilo on March 11, 1945. He graduated with a degree in economics from Ateneo de Manila University in 1967....
 / Interpreter: Anthony Castelo

KAILANGAN KO, KAILANGAN MO - Music and Lyrics: Gerry Paraiso / Interpreter: Bambi Bonus and Richard Tan

LANGIT MO'Y LIKHA MO RIN - Music and Lyrics: Babes Tolentino / Interpreter: Babes Tolentino, Celso Llarina, Mon Gaskell

LARAWAN - Music and Lyrics: Thomas Santos / Interpreter: Joel Navarro

MAHALAGA - Music and Lyrics: Louie Ocampo / Interpreter: Rene Puno

NASAAN ANG PALAKPAKAN - Music and Lyrics: Nonoy Gallardo / Interpreter: Celeste Legaspi

SA DUYAN NG PAG-IBIG - Music and Lyrics: Willy Cruz / Interpreter: Passionata

SA 'YONG PAG-ALIS - Music and Lyrics: Felipe Monserrat, Jr. / Interpreter: Tillie Moreno

"IKAW, AKO, TAYO (MAGKAKAPATID)" turned out to be the biggest hot from the Third Metropop. The interpreters of the song, the New Minstrels, were already a famous vocal singing group at this time. This song added to their fame, and even when the original members left and new ones came in, the New Minstrels were always considered one of the best singing groups in the country. Composers Jose Mari Chan
José Mari Chan

Jose Mari Chan is a renowned Chinese Filipino singer-songwriter and businessman. He was born in Iloilo on March 11, 1945. He graduated with a degree in economics from Ateneo de Manila University in 1967....
 and Willy Cruz went on to turn out so many pop hits, Jose Mari singing a lot of his songs himself.

The Fourth Metro Manila Popular Music Festival (Finals night: 1981)

Grand Prize: SINO ANG BALIW - Music and Lyrics: Elizabeth Barcelona / Interpreter: Mon Del Rosario Jr.

Second Prize: KAHIT KONTI - Music and Lyrics: Gary Granada / Interpreter: Florante

Third Prize: MAGSIMULA KA - Music and Lyrics: Gines Tan / Interpreter: Leo Valdez

Finalists:

AAWITIN KO NA LANG - Music and Lyrics: Gary Granada / Interpreter: Bong Gabriel

ANG BUHAY AY NGAYON - Music and Lyrics: Benjamin Chua, B.S. Manas / Interpreter: Rene Puno

BABAE KA - Music and Lyrics: Ananias Montano / Interpreter: Something Special

BUHAY/PAG-ASA - Music and Lyrics: Butch Monserrat, Marilyn Villapando / Interpreter: Pol Enriquez

HATINGGABI (BAWA'T PANGARAP) - Music and Lyrics: Conrado Ricafort / Interpreter: Boy Camara

INSOMNIA - Music and Lyrics: Eduardo Achacoso, Joseph Olfindo / Interpreter: Joseph Olfindo

LANDAS - Music and Lyrics: James Villafuerte / Interpreter: Marco Sison

MAGKAISA - Music and Lyrics: J. Miguel Salvador / Interpreter: Eugene Villaluz

MR. MUSIKERO - Music and Lyrics: Sonny Nicolas / Interpreter: Sonny Nicolas

PUSONG "ROCK-N-ROLL" - Music and Lyrics: Felix Chok-Oy Viernes / Interpreter: Pabs Dadivas

UHAW NA LUPA - Music and Lyrics: Emilio Sanglay / Interpreter: Emilio Sanglay at Ang Bagong Pen Pen

Established singers like Florante, Eugene Villaluz, Leo Valdez, and Marco Sison interpreted their first Metropop entries. Something Special was an offshoot of The New Minstrels, and Joseph Olfindo also came from the latter singing group. There was no big hit from the festival songs, although "KAHIT KONTI" and "MAGSIMULA KA" were relative successes. It is interesting to note that aside from the women in Something Special (there were male members as well), all the interpreters in this festival were men.