METRO MANILA POPULAR MUSIC FESTIVAL

In 1977, the Popular Music Foundation of the Philippines, guided

chiefly by Teodoro Valencia and Imee Marcos, founded the Metro
MANILA POPULAR MUSIC FESTIVAL (Metropop).

Televised on RPN 9, Metropop ran a total of eight competitions from

1978 to 1985, making waves in the Filipino professional and amateur
music scene.
The competition was initially opened to all music enthusiasts but
during its 5th year, the contest proper was divided into two: the
professional and amateur divisions.

The rule was implemented in order to give equal chances to

participants, be they amateurs or trained professionals.
The festival ceased operation for over a decade, but found its way
back on air in 1996.

The following year, GMA 7 introduced competition for METROPOP --

the Metro Pop Star Search -- which lasted until 2003.
Through its mainstream influence, METROPOP has helped launch the
music careers of many Filipino artists, including OPM icon Freddie
Aguilar and master-class composer Ryan Cayabyab.
Winning Entries and Finalists
METROPOP 1978 - 1985

1ST METRO MANILA POPULAR MUSIC FESTIVAL (1978)

KAY GANDA NG ATING MUSIKA

by Ryan Cayabyab performed by Hajji Alejandro

ANAK
by Freddie Aguilar performed by Freddie Aguilar

TAYO’Y MGA PINOY

by Heber Bartolome performed by JUDAS
"Anak" did not win, but went on to become one of the most popular
Filipino pop songs ever, and it launched the career of Freddie Aguilar.

This period in time was right at the beginning of the OPM boom, and
after this first festival, the singing careers of Hajji Alejandro, Celeste
Legaspi, Maricris Bermont, and Anthony Castelo went into full gear.

Ryan Cayabyab is now a well-respected composer and musician, as is

Joel Navarro. Imelda Papin and Janet Basco went on to big careers as
well after 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 OPM.
2ND METRO MANILA POPULAR MUSIC FESTIVAL (1979)

BULAG PIPI AT BINGI (ISANG PAG-AALAY)

by Snaffu Rigor performed by Freddie Aguilar

EWAN
by Louie Ocampo performed by APO HIKING SOCIETY
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, one of Pinoy music's biggest acts ever.

Rico J. Puno, already a big star at this time, interpreted the third place
song, which also became a hit song for him. Composer George
Canseco 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.
3RD METRO MANILA POPULAR MUSIC FESTIVAL (1980)

ISANG MUNDO ISANG AWIT

by Nonong Pidero performed by Leah Navarro

"Ikaw, Ako, Tayo Magkakapatid" turned out to be the biggest hit 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 and Willy Cruz went on to turn out many
pop hits, Jose Mari singing a lot of his songs himself.
SINO ANG BALIW (4th Metropop Grand Prize Winner)
by Mon Del Rosario performed by Mon Del Rosario

TIL I MET YOU (6th Metropop Grand Prize Winner)

by Odette Quesada performed by Kuh Ledesma

BE MY LADY (6th Metropop Finalist)

by Vehnee Saturno
 RELAUNCH OF METROPOP MUSIC FESTIVAL
1996 to 2003

WINNERS
1996
* "Sometimes You Just Know" (GRAND PRIZE)
* composers: Danny Tan and Edith Gallardo
* interpreter: Jaya
* "Shine" (2nd)
* composer: Trina Belamide
* interpreter: Ima Castro
* "Aawitin Ko, Ang Awit Mo" (3rd)
* composer: Greg Caro
* interpreter: Rannie Raymundo
1997
* "Para sa Inyo 'Tong Kanta Kong 'To" (GRAND PRIZE)
* composer and interpreter: Gideon "Jungee" Marcelo
* "If I Could" (2nd)
* composer: Dodjie Simon,
* interpreter: Lloyd Umali
* "Delikado, Delikadesa" (3rd)
* composer: Soc Villanueva
* interpreter: Judith Banal
1998
* "Mabuti Pa Sila" (GRAND PRIZE)
* composer and interpreter: Gary Granada
* "Bring Back the Times
* composer: Eunice Saldana, interpreter - Dessa (Second Prize)
* YOU MAKE ME SMILE - composer - Rica Arambulo, interpreter -
Carol Banawa (Third Prize)
1999
* "Can't Stop Loving You" (GRAND PRIZE)
* compose: Dodjie Simon
* interpreter: Lani Misalucha and The Noisy Neighbors
* "Tayo Pa Rin" (2nd)
* composer: Soc Villanueva
* interpreter: Zebedee Zuniga
* Clara's Eyes (3rd)
* composer: Joey Benin
* interpreter: Side A
2000
* "Forever and a Day" (GRAND PRIZE)
* composer: Angelo Villegas
* interpreter: Rachel Alejandro
* "Paano Na?" (2nd)
* composer: Arnold Reyes
* interpreter: Bituin Escalante
* Ganyan Ako (3rd)
* composer: Vehnee Saturno
* interpreter: Jeremiah
2001
* "Pag-Uwi" (GRAND PRIZE)
* composers: Louie Ocampo and Joey Ayala
* interpreter: Martin Nievera
* "Kawikaan" (2nd)
* composers: Laverne Ducut and Catherine Carlos
* interpreter: Cynthia Alexander
* "Heaven Sent" (3rd)
* composer: Dennis Garcia
* interpreter: Ella Mae Saison with The Saisons and Friends
2003
* "Malayo Man, Malapit Din" (GRAND PRIZE)
* composer and interpreter: Bayang Barrios
* "Pretend That I Don't Love You" (2nd)
* composer: Mike Villegas
* interpreter: Cookie Chua
* "Buti Na Lang" (3rd)
* composer: Jonathan Manalo
* interpreter: Kyla
KAY GANDA NG ATING MUSIKA

Magmula no'ng ako'y natutong umawit

Naging makulay ang aking munting daigdig
Tila ilog pala ang paghimig
Kung malalim, damdami'y pag-ibig
Kung umapaw, ang kaluluwa't tinig
Ay sadyang nanginginig

Magmula no'ng ako'y natutong umawit

Bawat sandali'y aking pilit mabatid
Ang himig na maituturing atin
Mapupuri pagka't bukod-tangi
Di marami ang di-magsasabing
Heto na't inyong dinggin

Kay ganda ng ating musika

Kay ganda ng ating musika Ito ay atin, sariling atin
At sa habang buhay awitin natin.

Magmula no'ng ako'y natutong umawit

Nagkabuhay muli ang aking paligid
Ngayong batid ko na ang umibig
Sa sariling tugtugtin o himig Sa isang makata'y maririnig
Mga titik, nagsasabing:
Kay ganda ng ating musika
Kay ganda ng ating musika Ito ay atin, sariling atin
At sa habang buhay awitin natin
Mabuti Pa Sila

Mabuti pa ang mga surot, laging mayrong masisiksikan

Mabuti pa ang bubble gum, laging mayrong didikitan
Mabuti pa ang salamin, laging mayrong tumitingin
Di tulad kong laging walang pumapansin

Mabuti pa ang mga lapis, sinusulatan ang papel

At mas mapalad ang kamatis, maya't maya napipisil
Napakaswerte ng bayong, hawak ng aleng maganda
Di tulad kong lagi na lang nag-iisa

Ano ba'ng wala ako na mayron sila

Di man lang makaisa habang iba'y dala-dalwa
Pigilan n'yo akong magpatiwakal
Mabuti pa ang galunggong nasasabihan ng 'mahal'

Kahit ang suka ay may toyo at ang asin may paminta

Mabuti pa ang lumang dyaryo at yakap-yakap ang isda
Mabuti pa sila, mabuti pa sila
Di tulad kong lagi na lang nag-iisa

Mabuti pa ang simpleng tissue at laging nahahalikan

Mabuti pa ang mga bisyo, umaasang babalikan
Mabuti pa sila, mabuti pa sila
Di tulad kong lagi na lang nag-iisa

[Interlude:]

Pigilan n'yo akong magpatiwakal

Bakit si Gabby Concepcion lagi na lang kinakasal

Mabuti pa ang mga isnatser, palaging may naghahabol

Ang aking luma na computer, mayron pa ring compatible
Mabuti pa sila, mabuti pa sila
Di tulad kong lagi na lang nag-iisa