Composer-interpreters at PhilPop 2016

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.An evolution that is bound to happen is taking place this year.  Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
“It is now even more difficult to find interpreters,” revealed PhilPop head Maestro Ryan Cayabyab at the launch of the 2016 digital album on Spotify and the big reveal of their interpreters. “Name interpreters are hard to come by because they are afraid to lose to newbies or even to less popular singers,” Ryan explained.
As such, the annual premium festival of pop songs now on its fifth year introduced composers as interpreters for the first time. “Of the 12 entries, five are composers-interpreters, while seven got celebrity interpreters. This allowed not only the discovery of fresh talents, but also the better interpretations of materials by their own composers,” he shared.
Simultaneously, it also launched the PhilPop 2016 Commemorative Special Edition Book to be available from commercial sources in two weeks’ time.
The competition with seasoned and first-time interpreters will be held on July 23, 6 p.m., at the Kia Theater, with delayed telecast on TV5 at 10 p.m.
A new breed of songwriters was given their break and veteran composers were provided with yet another avenue to showcase their immense talent.
Competing for P1 million; P500,000 and P250,000, plus trophies designed by a National Artist, 12 finalists were culled from over 1,000 entries this year.   
The interpreters were specifically handpicked to lend their voices and performances for specific compositions in this competition. They form an outstanding mix of veterans and upstarts with diverse styles and music influences to guarantee PhilPop’s audience a wonderful celebration of music.
Brimming with musical zeal just as the way it was on the day the festival was conceptualized and founded in 2012, the five composers-interpreters, some celebrity interpreters, are:
1.Ramiru Mataro for “Kahon” as interpreted by Ramiru Mataro;
2. Joan Da for “Baliw Sa Ex-boyfriend Ko” as interpreted by Sugar and Spice featuring Joan Da;
3. Jazz Nicolas and Wally Acolola for “Di na Muli” as interpreted by the Itchyworms featuring Jazz Nicolas;
4. Miguel and Paolo Guico for “Tinatangi” as interpreted by Cookie Chua, Bayang Barrios and The Benjamins; and
5. Aikee Aplacador for “Pabili Po” as interpreted by Banda ni Kleggy and Aikee.
The line-up of songs with celebrity interpreters are:  
1.Jeroel Maranan for “Sintunado” as interpreted by Nyoy Volante;
2. JC Jose for “Stars Are Aligned” as interpreted by Acapellago and Jimmy Marquez;
3. Karl Gaurano and Daryl Reyes for “Friday Night” as interpreted by Kenjhons;
4. Johann Garcia for “Binibini sa MRT” as interpreted by The Juans;                                                          
5. Keiko Necesario for “Nobody But You” as interpreted by Monica Cuenco;
6. Mike Villegas and Brian Cua for “Dumadagundong” as interpreted by Yassi Pressman; and
7. Soc Villanueva for “Lahat” as interpreted by Jason Dy.
PhilPop chairman Manny V. Pangilinan said in a video presentation during the announcement: “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.”
MVP emphasized PhilPop’s singular vision — to give Pinoy Pop “a spot on the world stage.”
BARON IS THE VICTIM THIS TIME AROUND. For the second time in May, Baron Geisler got involved in an altercation, this time as the victim. The first time was when he was given an idiot board for a UP student film project instead of a script. He felt terribly insulted that he cursed the director and confronted him physically.   
In last Wednesday’s incident, Baron tried to shake the hand of indie actor Kiko Matos at Tomato Kick bar on Tomas Morato, Quezon City. Kiko heckled Baron as a troublemaker while making a speech at the bar. Baron approached Kiko to shake his hand as a peace offering, but instead got punched. People in the bar interceded as Baron resisted and Kiko cursed repeatedly as he was escorted away from Baron.

SANDWICH OR FRANKFURTER? Merriam-Webster, widely held as the “most trustworthy dictionary and thesaurus of American English,” has opined that the hotdog is a sandwich, not a frankfurter (http://www.merriam-webster.com/words-at-play/to-chew-on-10-kinds-of-sandwiches/hot-dog). It explains the decision by defining a sandwich as “two or more slices of bread or a split roll having a filling in between.” It went on to define filling as “a food mixture used to fill pastry or sandwiches,” rather than broadly as “something used to fill a cavity, container, or depression,” excluding that “any single-item filling to qualify a food item.” But we’re aware nothing will convince if one does not want to believe.
TURNING SERIOUS ‘TRAPO’? Boxing icon and Senator-elect Manny Pacquiao turned down the opportunity to box at the Rio Olympics, losing the chance to win a gold medal for the country. It looks like he’s taking his retirement from boxing and lawmaking duty seriously. He played basketball last Saturday with incoming President Rodrigo “Digong” Duterte’s men, hoping to start a friendly relationship with him.
Manny said he would try to cure his record of chronic absenteeism once he is sworn into the Senate next month. “Kung makaya natin ma-perfect (ang attendance) bakit hindi?Nakakahiya sa taumbayan na naglagay sa akin sa posisyon tapos unang buwan ng serbisyo ko wala ako,” he told reporters. Let us just hope they are not empty promises like Digong’s.
He showed his “trapo” (traditional politician) tendency when he opened up that he has always been for Digong despite being in the senatorial slate of Vice President Jejomar Binay whose political party made him win as Senator. It looks like many has not learned from making controversial statements.

MEET MS. MARZSARINA VARGA. This blonde woman projects the four of the Philippines’ best entertainment personalities: the fierceness of Maricel Soriano, the fabulosity of Zsa Zsa Padilla, the heart and style of Korina Sanchez-Roxas, and the sensuality of Verni Varga! She is Chuck Gomez’s muse — none other than Ms. Marzsarina Varga — his tribute to the four women who greatly helped his public relations career. Chuck promises a separate tribute to the non-active performer in his life, the woman who shares his expertise — Angeli Pangilinan-Valenciano!