Another wonderful year had passed; another fruitful season of offering thanksgiving songs to God.
Manila, Philippines – The only innovative and most awaited song-writing competition on TV, the “A Song Of Praise’ (ASOP) Music Festival has finally introduced its twelve new songs of praises for its Year 4. Music veterans who served as judges on its grand finals night which was held at Smart-Araneta Coliseum on October 13, 2015, were surprised as they witnessed the uniqueness and the quality of praise songs they have heard during the presentation.
ASOP Music Festival has become the home for many amateur and professional Filipino song-writers here and abroad. A lot of them have been trying their best to compose original praise song to serve as their entry and hoping to take the place for the ASOP weekly finals to monthly finals. Well-known and amateur singers were given a chance by ASOP to hone and show their talent through interpreting ASOP entries. Each ASOP entries shall be judge by the distinguished guest personalities in the music industry who serves as judges. Only one out of the many ASOP weekly-monthly entry songs shall be chosen to complete the twelve songs for the grand finals night. And one out of the twelve songs shall be declared ASOP Song of the Year winner.
(Photo by Marjhon Obsioma)
ASOP Year 4 Grand Finals Night
ASOP Year 4 grand finals night would not be successful without the presence of the distinguished guests from music industry.
One of the judges during the event night and served as the Chairman of the Board is Mr. Ryan Cayabyab. He said, “Unang-una sa lahat maraming salamat sa pag imbita sa akin para umupo dito, ah lahat ng sinabi nila ay tuwang-tuwa ako dahil sang-ayon ako at buong gabi para lang akong nananalangin kasi sa totoo lang lahat ng awitin na inalay sa ating Poong Maykapal. Ako ay, I was very inspired tonight dahil ngayon lang ako nakarinig ng sang-damukal na mga awiting ganyan. Okay, tapos na yun. Gusto ko lang sabihin sa mga composers na congratulations tuwang-tuwa ako sa mga nilikha ninyo . Heto nga, sabi nila, hirap na hirap sila, merong ilan dyan sa mga awitin na yan na talagang tumama sa akin “Uy, wow, ang ganda nun ha” so congratulations at ngayon pa lang gusto ko kayong batiin na wag kayong titigil sa paglikha , wag na wag, ito ay regalo sa atin at kailangang ibalik natin sa Kanya,”
Cayabyab is well-known as Mr. C. Here are some of his iconic Original Pilipino Music (OPM) such as ‘Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika’, ‘Limang Dipang Tao’ and ‘Tuwing umuulan at Kapiling Ka.’
Ms. Celeste Legaspi was her second time around as judge in ASOP which is a multi-awarded singer and a member of ‘Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mangaawit.’ She pointed out, “This is my second time in ASOP; I remember last season I was very amazed because of the quality of music then the lyrics. How imaginative the words put together and then the way it was sang with all the fashion and honesty and then so I was invited here to come again tonight to be a judge again and I knew I will be surprised again and it was good, it such a nice feeling. However, tonight the quality of singing, those lyrics, and the music were excellent. So, I am very happy to be part of this endeavour, thank you so much for inviting me.” Also, ‘Saranggola ni Pepe’ and ‘Mamang Sorbetero’ are just two of her honored and eminent songs.
Lachmi Baviera is a current secretary of the Philippines Association of the Record Industry (PARI) and General Manager of Labels Warner Music Philippines. According to her, she felt hard to give judgment during the competition because most of the entries were brilliant. “Ahm yung huling nagjudge ako, I was asked kung mahirap, I said hindi, hindi mahirap madali lang pero ngayon hirap na hirap talaga ako. Ang galing lang kasi sinasabi ko nga kay Doc Mon parang ibang mundo ito, ngayon ko lang narinig… Di bale, malapit na, malapit na, I think magkakaroon ng exposure talaga lahat, ah digital world na ngayon, everything is accessible,.. I’m so happy mayroong ganito,” she added.
An eminent singer, guitarist, and Filipino rock band member of ‘The Dawn’ and ‘Jett Pangan Group,’ Mr. Jett Pangan, was honestly said that at first he was hesitating to accept the offer to be one of the judges in ASOP because he knows already that he will be having difficulty throughout the finals. But, later on, he was convinced and explains, “Noong ino-offer sa akin na mag-judge ulit, gusto kong tanggihan kasi nung una akong nagjudge, eh hirap na hirap ako at alam kong since finals ito mas mahihirapan ako ngayon, and true enough, mahirap, mahirap to choose the best because I think all of them have come this far so all of them are all winners, lahat sila so ah it just a matter of tallying na lang kung sino talaga yung lalabas na grand winner, pero in my book panalo silang lahat. And I would like to personally thank the production, kayo, nila Tony and Richard at saka sa lahat ng nandito ngayon dahil the beautiful music and the beautiful praises personally tonight my faith is strengthen, so salamat.”
Mr. Jungee Marcelo is a songwriter, arranger, hip-hop dance director and choreographer. He also writes a gospel song because he believes that when you write a song of praise to God it will bring back the blessing from Him. “Yes, ako kasi pundasyon Co in gospel music, eh.. and I’m still am gospel song writer kahit nakatawid na ako sa mainstream and you would feel that sa karamihan ng mga ginagawa ko sa mainstream ganun parin aspirational – aspirational, natutuwa ako kasi for me ah nagmemainstreem na yung aspirational inspirational songs, salamat sa ASOP kasi sa pamamagitan ng inyong kompetisyon ipinapakita na may isang uri ng pagsusulat ng awitin actually, one of the best kind of song writing yung mga awiting iniaalay sa Panginoon na lumikha ng awiting nagbibigay pugay sa ating Panginoon.. Yung biyaya ng Panginoon bumabalik eh kapag itinataas mo yung pagpupuri sa Kaniya, congratulations,” he pointed out.
Also, Doc Mon del Rosario is a composer, arranger, record-producer, musical director. And he is best known for his epic composition entitled “Sino Ang Baliw” that lived marks among Filipino. He is also the resident judge of the ASOP Music Festival and the man behind its beautiful musical arrangement.
ASOP Music Festival Trivia
Bro. Eli Soriano, the Overall Servant of the Members Church of God International (MCGI) and Kuya Daniel Razon who brainchild the ASOP Music Festival, the largest song writing competition on Philippine television shared their thoughts during the novel event.
Bro. Eli explains how importantly the music is and according to him it was stated in the Bible that music is older than the universe. “Sa Biblia po ang pinakamakapal na aklat ay ang Psalms o ang mga awit, yan po ang pinakamakapal na aklat. Nagpapakita lang na speaking of divinity, ang awit po ay mahalaga sa Dios at hindi lang po yung aklat ng awit o Psalms meron pang isang auxiliary. Songs of Solomon. Sa Biblia po napakahalaga ng isang awit,” he justified.
It all started because of Bro. Eli’s desires to produce more quality praise songs. Thus, ASOP is open to all and continues to encourage not only those who are professional composers but obviously everyone to come and join the competition.
(Photo Credit by: Marjhon Obsioma)
Moreover, Kuya Daniel S. Razon, CEO of Breakthrough Milestone Production Incorporated (BMPI). Also known as Mr. Public Service gave an inspirational advice for those aspiring composers, whether amateur or professional writer. “Apat na taon na nga po itong ating ah.., Song writing contest on TV that gives glory and thanksgiving to God and alam niyo po it is indeed a very humbling feeling that in our small ways para po makaabot sa ating mga kababayan. Alam nating nakakatulong din tayo para po mabuksan ang kaisipan ng maraming mga tao, magkaroon ng pag-asa at ganun din sa mga manlilikha ng awit na may mataas ng level ng paggawa at pagcocompose ng awit ay yuon ay yaong pagbibigay ng awit para doon sa pinanggalingan po ng lahat ng mga bagay. And I appreciate, sabi nga po ng ating mga judges just like what Sir Ryan Cayabyab have said, “eh bigay sa atin yan eh dapat siguro primarily alam natin kung saan dapat nating gagamitin. Kaya ang unang unang dapat nating paggamitan nung ibinigay Niya sa atin ay yaong alayan natin ng pasasalamat at pagpupuri yaong nagbigay sa atin ng lahat ng mga bagay na ito,” he expound during the glorious grand finals night.
Razon reiterates that OPM must be supported by the Filipinos, however, most especially and importantly, with songs that will reach the spirit and give glory to God.
(Photo Credit by: Valeriano C. Onia Jr.)
Here are the lists of a composer and interpreter awardees who received cash prizes and plaques of appreciation:
The songs “Kung Pagibig Mo’y Ulan” composed by Christian Malinias and interpreted by “The Voice” Season 2 finalist, Leah Patricio, was declared as the ASOP Year 4 ‘Song of the Year’ and recieved Php500,000. It’s interpreter also awarded as the ‘Best Interpreter’ and received Php50,000.
1st Runner Up goes to “Pakamamahalin Din Kita” composed by Dennis Avenida and interpreted by the ‘Music Royalty’ Nino Alejandro, received PHP250, 000.
The 2nd Runner Up “Jesus, I Love You” of Timothy Joseph Cardona and interpreted by a 5thGen member, RJ Buena, received PHP150, 000.
“Pahintulutan Mo” composed by Leonardo de Jesus III nd interpreted by Singing Chemist, Philippe Go receives PHP100, 000 for being the 3rd Runner Up.
Also, the “Best Music Video” was luckily given to the composer of “Sabik Sa’ Yo” Joseph Bolinas that and sung by ex-member band vocalist of 6-Cyclemind. And the “People’s Choice Award” goes to “Dakila ka, Ama” song entry by Ella Mae Septimo that received PHP50, 000 and plaque of appreciation and interpreted by a Girl Group Ch4rmd, Ruth Regine Reyno.
Also, other prominent singers who gave their intermission number such as Jonalyn Viray, Shane Velasco, Beverly Caimen etc.
ASOP TV hosted by Mr. Richard Reynoso and Toni Rose Gayda can be watch thru UNTV Life Channel 37 or via live streaming through http://www.untvweb.com every Sunday at 6 PM (PHT).
ASOP can also be heard through radio broadcast on Wish FM 107.5 every Sunday at 5:00-6:00 AM.
The ASOP program is a non-profit organization and the only Gospel song-writing competition in the Philippines. All ASOP albums can be downloaded for free of charge through http://www.asoptv.com.#
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