The Philippine Popular Music Festival (also known as Philpop) is an annual songwriting competition organized by the Philpop MusicFest Foundation and was launched in 2012. The creation of the festival was inspired by the defunct Metro Manila Popular Music Festival. The foundation itself is headed by the chairman Manny V. Pangilinan, executive director Ryan Cayabyab and administrator and communications director Patricia Bermudez-Hizon. The competition is only open to original and previously unreleased songs in English, Filipino and other Philippine languages. Since its inception, it has been airing annually in TV5.
There are three prizes given: Grand Prize (₱1,000,000), 2nd Prize (₱500,000) and 3rd Prize (₱250,000). An additional award is given named Smart People's Choice Award (₱200,000), which is the most popular song based on the text votes sent by the people. People who win these prizes also receive trophies while the defeated finalists each receive ₱50,000 and a plaque.
In its first year, the festival has received many controversies regarding to its finalists and its rules. On its second year, all the interpreters were able to film music videos for their respective song entries.
Viva Records released the compilation albums of the PhilPop Music Festival finalists.
In 2020, the Philpop Foundation formed a partnership with Warner Music Philippines and telecommunications company Smart Communications for its 2020 Edition of the competition.
1st Philippine Popular Music Festival (2012) Date: July 14, 2012 Venue: Philippine International Convention Center, Pasay Hosts: Ogie Alcasid and Nikki Gil
Result Song Composer/s Interpreter/s Special Awards — "3 AM" Keiko Necesario Marié Digby — Grand Winner "Bawat Hakbang" (Every Step) Karl Villuga Mark Bautista & Akafellas — — "Bigtime" Trina Belamide Baihana — — "Brown" James Leyte Brownman Revival & James Leyte Smart People's Choice Award — "Dulo ng Dila" (End of the Tongue) Noah Zuñiga Jay R & Deejay Poblete — — "Himig ng Panahon" (Melody of Generation) Thyro Alfaro Duncan Ramos, Luke Mejares, Loonie, Thyro & Yumi — — "Kesa" Edwin Marollano Daniel Grospe — 2nd Runner-up "Kontrabida" (Villain) Soc Villanueva Sam Concepcion — — "Minsa'y Isang Bansa" (Sometimes One Country) Gary Granada Gary Granada — — "Negastar" Mike Villegas Cathy Go — — "Piso" (Peso) Kristofferson Melecio Joey Ayala — — "Slowdancing" Kennard Faraon Nyoy Volante — — "Takusa" Byron Ricamara Rocksteddy — 1st Runner-up "Tayo-tayo Lang" (Only Between Us) Toto Sorioso Ebe Dancel —
2nd Philippine Popular Music Festival (2013) Date: July 20, 2013 Venue: Meralco Theater, Pasig Hosts: Ogie Alcasid and Jasmine Curtis
Result Song Composer/s Interpreter/s Special Award/s — "Araw, Ulap, Langit" (Sun, Clouds, Heaven) Marlon Barnuevo Christian Bautista — — "Askal" Ganny Brown Jose Manalo & Wally Bayola — Grand Winner "Dati" (Ever Since) Thyro Alfaro & Yumi Lacsamana Sam Concepcion & Tippy Dos Santos feat. Quest — 1st Runner-up "Kung 'Di Man" (If It's Not) Johnoy Danao Ney Dimaculangan Smart People's Choice Award 2nd Runner-up "Pansamantagal" Jungee Marcelo Sitti & Julianne Tarroja — — "Papel" (Paper) Joey Ayala Joey Ayala & Gloc-9 feat. Denise Barbacena — — "Sana Pinatay Mo Na Lang Ako" (How I Wish You Just Killed Me) Myrus Apacible Kimpoy Feliciano — — "Sa'yo Na Lang Ako" (Let Me Be Yours) Lara Maigue Karylle — — "Segundo" (Second) Paul Armesin Yael Yuzon Meralco Special Award — "Sometimes That Happens" Adrienne Buenaventura & Niño Regalado Ace Libre — — "Space" Raffy Calicdan Kean Cipriano & Banda ni Kleggy — — "Time Machine" Kennard Faraon Six Part Invention —
Note:
This song replaced Marion Aunor's entry, "Do, Do, Do", after Aunor backed out for personal reasons and her talent management decision.
3rd Philippine Popular Music Festival (2014) Date: July 26, 2014 Venue: Meralco Theater, Pasig Hosts: Ogie Alcasid, Christian Bautista, Iya Villania, Jasmine Curtis and Tim Yap Judges: Abra, Aiza Seguerra, Julie Anne San Jose, Megan Young, Sam Concepcion, Wilma Galvante and Noel Cabangon
Result Song Composer/s Interpreter/s Special Award 1st Runner-up "Awit Mo'y Nandito Pa" (Your Song's Still There) Toto Sorioso Aldrich Talonding & James Bucong — — "Babalikan Mo Rin Ako" (You Will Return to Me) Soc Villanueva Nikki Gil — — "Dear Heart" Mike Villegas Kiana Valenciano — — "Hangout Lang" (Hangout Only) Allan Feliciano & Isaac Garcia Duncan Ramos & Young JV — — "Kung Akin Lang Ang Langit" (If Heaven Is Only Mine) Cecilia Bocobo & Isaac Garcia Mcoy Fundales & Clara Benin Spinnr People's Choice Award — "Langit Umaawit" (Heaven Sings) Toto Sorioso Tom Rodriguez — — "NGSB (No Girlfriend Since Break)" Davey Langit Luigi D' Avola — — "Qrush On You" Flava Matikz & Knowa Lazarus Jay R, Elmo Magalona & Q-York — Grand Winner "Salbabida" (Life Saver) Jungee Marcelo Kyla — — "Song On A Broken String"Jude Gitamondoc & Therese Villarante Nicole Laurel Asensio — — "The Only One" Venelyn San Pedro Thor Dulay — 2nd Runner-up "Torpe Song" Daryl Ong Kris Lawrence —
4th Philippine Popular Music Festival (2015) Date: July 25, 2015 Venue: Meralco Theater Hosts: Mark Bautista, Sam Pinto-Semerad and Bela Padilla Judges: Randy Estrellado, Paolo Valenciano, Quest, Karylle, Kris Lawrence, Louie Ocampo and Jett Pangan
Result Song Composer/s Interpreter/s Special Award/s — "Walang Hanggan" (Forever) Ramiru Mataro Ramiru Mataro & Donnalyn Bartolome — — "Musikaw" (Music and You) Melchor Magno James Reid feat. Pio — — "I Owe You My Heart" MJ Morallos Anja Aguilar — Grand Winner "Triangulo" (Triangle) Thyro Alfaro & Yumi Lacsamana Thyro Alfaro, Yumi Lacsamana & Jeric Medina — — "For The Rest Of My Life" Ned Esguerra Side A — 2nd Runner-up "Sa Ibang Mundo" (In Another World) Mark Villar Kean Cipriano & Nadine Lustre Maynilad People's Choice Award — "Kilig" Soc Villanueva Jinky Vidal — — "Apat Na Buwang Pasko" (Four-Month Christmas) Gino Cruz & Jeff Arcilla Jon Santos — 1st Runner-up "Paratingin Mo Na Siya" Davey Langit Davey Langit — — "Nasaan" Lara Maigue Lara Maigue — — "Tanging Pag-asa Ko" (My Only Hope) Paul Armesin The Company — — "Edge Of The World" Johannes Garcia Josh Padilla & Yassi Pressman Best Music Video Award
5th Philippine Popular Music Festival (2016) Out of more than 2,000 entries, The Philpop, together with the adjudicators — singers Basti Artadi, Bullet Dumas, Ebe Dancel, Lara Maigue and Davey Langit, academe members and college students — selects 12 entries for the competition. Five of the composers are returning to the competition, while 11 of those are rookies.
Date: July 23, 2016 Venue: Kia Theatre, Araneta Center, Quezon City Judges: Adam Hurstfield, Christian Walden, Marcus Davis, Jr. Hosts: Sam YG, Slick Rick, Toni Tony, and Bela Padilla
Result Song Composer/s Interpreter/s Special Award/s — "Baliw sa Ex-Boyfriend Ko" (I'm Crazy for My Ex-Boyfriend) Joan Da Sugar 'N Spice featuring Joan Da — — "Binibini sa MRT" Johann Garcia The Juans — Grand Winner "Di Na Muli" Jazz Nicolas and Wally Acolola Itchyworms — — "Dumadagundong" Brian Cua and Mike Villegas Yassi Pressman — — "Friday Night" Karl Guarano Kenjhons — — "Kahon" (Box) Ramiro Mataru Ramiru Mataro — 1st Runner-up "Lahat" (Everything) Soc Villanueva Jason Dy Maynilad People's Choice Award — "Nobody But You" Keiko Necesario Monica Cuenco — — "Pabili Po" Aikee Aplacador Banda ni Kleggy and Aikee — — "Stars are Aligned" JC Jose Acapellago and Jimmy Marquez — — "Sintunado" (Out of Tune) Jeroel Maranan Nyoy Volante — 2nd Runner-up "Tinatangi" (Special) Miguel Guico and Paolo Guico Cookie Chua, Bayang Barrios and The Benjamins Smart/PLDT Best Music Video Award
6th Philippine Popular Music Festival (2018)
The 30 semifinalists for the 2018 Philippine Popular Music Festival were announced on July 24, 2018. A criteria of 25% online streams, 25% SMS voting, and 50% judges' choices was used to select the top 10 finalists. The Top 10 were announced on October 17, 2018. The Grand Finals were held on December 2, 2018.
Top 30 Date: October 17, 2018 Venue: BGC Arts Center, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig
Results Song Composer/s Composer/s Location Interpreter/s —"AEIOU"Kenneth John PoresGeneral Trias, CaviteDavey LangitTop 10"Ako Ako" (Me, Me)Jeriko BuenafeTaguig CityFeel Day, Hans Dimayga —"Away Wa'y Buwagay"Eamarie Gilayo & Jovit LeonerioDavao City, Davao del SurWinset Jacot, Medyo Maldito —"Bumbero" (Fireman)Michael LlaveQuezon CityMic LlaveTop 10"'Di Ko Man"Ferdinand AragonCebu City, CebuFerdinand Aragon —"Ikaw Ang Aking Pag-Ibig" (You Are My Love)Mark Jay FelipeGuimba, Nueva EcijaRJ Dela FuenteTop 10"Isang Gabing Pag-Ibig" (One Night Stand)Carlo Angelo DavidQuezon CityJex De CastroTop 10"Kariton" (Cart)Philip Arvin JarillaAntipolo, RizalAcapellago —"Kelan Kaya" (When)Sarah BulahanMandaluyongAtaska, Nash Lorca —"kilabl"Karlo ZabalaValenzuela CityCarlyn Ocampo, Joshua Feliciano —"Korde Kodigo"Jeremy SarmientoDavao City, Davao del SurLeanne & NaaraTop 10"Laon Ako" (I'm Old)Elmar Jan Bolaño & Donel TrasportoTigbuan, IloiloKakai Bautista —"LDR (Layong 'Di Ramdam)"Russ Narcies "Nar" CabicoQuezon CityNar Cabico —"LGBT (Laging Ganito Ba Tayo?)"Kyle PulidoDavao City, Davao del SurKyle Pulido —"Lilipad" (Flies)Agatha Morallos & Joseph MorallosBaguio, BenguetBayang Barrios, Naliyagan BandTop 10"Loco De Amor!"Edgardo Miraflor Jr.Bacolod, Negros OccidentalBennyBunnyBand —"Mahirap Magselos"Paul HildawaMakatiCaleb Santos —"Makisabay" (Go Along)Carlo Angelo DavidQuezon CityCarlo David —"Malilimutan Din Kita" (I Will Forget You Too)Marvin Blue CorpuzKoronadal, South CotabatoNitro —"MMRA"Oliver NaragValenzuela CityJeric MedinaTop 10"Nanay Tatay" (Mother Father)Teodoro Festejo IIIDavao City, Davao del SurChud Festejo —"Oka" Michael Angelo "Aikee" AplacadorPaterosThyro Alfaro, Aikee —"Perfect Imperfect Human"Barry VillacarilloLapu-Lapu City, CebuJem CubilTop 10"Pilipit"Sean Gabriel Cedro & John Ray ReodiqueAntipolo, RizalJulian Trono —"Promise Sorry Note"Michael Angelo "Aikee" AplacadorPaterosYumi Lacsamana —"Pwede" (Possible)Agatha Morallos & Melvin Joseph MorallosBaguio, BenguetThe JuansTop 10"Tama Na" (Stop)Michael Rodriguez & Jeanne Columbine RodriguezMakatiKatrina Velarde —"Unang Adlaw Nga Wala Ka" (English: First Day Without You/Tagalog: Unang Araw Na Wala Ka)Therese Marie Villarante & Henrick James PestañoTalisay City, CebuTherese Villarante —"Utang" (Debt)Ignacio Dennis RoxasMalolos City, BulacanKuya DennisTop 10"Yun Tayo"Donnalyn OnilongoAngono, RizalGracenote
Top 10 Date: December 2, 2018 Venue: Capitol Commons Judges: Ryan Cayabyab, Verb Del Rosario, Trina Belamide, Liza Diño-Seguerra, Randy Estrellado, Noel Cabangon, Paolo Guico
Results Song Composer/s Composer/s Location Interpreter/s Special Award/s2nd Runner-up "Ako Ako" (Me, Me)Jeriko BuenafeTaguig CityFeel Day, Hans Dimayga —1st Runner-up"'Di Ko Man"Ferdinand AragonCebu City, CebuFerdinand Aragon — —"Isang Gabing Pag-Ibig" (One Night Stand)Carlo Angelo DavidQuezon CityJex De Castro — —"Kariton" (Cart)Philip Arvin JarillaAntipolo, RizalAcapellago — —"Laon Ako" (I'm Old)Elmar Jan Bolaño & Donel TrasportoTigbuan, IloiloKakai Bautista — —"Loco De Amor!"Edgardo Miraflor Jr.Bacolod, Negros OccidentalBennyBunnyBand —Grand Winner"Nanay Tatay" (Mother Father)Teodoro Festejo IIIDavao City, Davao del SurChud FestejoMaynilad Best Music Video —"Pilipit"Sean Gabriel Cedro & John Ray ReodiqueAntipolo, RizalJulian Trono — —"Tama Na" (Stop)Michael Rodriguez & Jeanne Columbine RodriguezMakatiKatrina Velarde — —"Yun Tayo"Donnalyn OnilongoAngono, RizalGracenote (band)Smart People's Choice Award
7th Philippine Popular Music Festival (2020) The 2020 edition of PhilPop songwriting competition was announced in July 2020. Due to the restrictions on the COVID-19 pandemic affecting the music industry and the prohibition of live events, the competition was held online.