THE 1996 METROPOP SONG FESTIVAL - Full Telecast Special - May 04, 1996

Ⓒ Republic Broadcasting System, Inc. (GMA Network, Inc.)

The Metropop Song Festival is inspired by the renowned Metro Manila Popular Music Foundation which was initiated by two pillars of the broadcast industry who felt that our musical artists lacked the proper venue to showcase their talents. Teodoro F. Valencia, then Chairman of the Broadcast Media Council, and Antinio C. Barreiro, erstwhile President of the Kapisanan ng Mga Broadkaster sa Pilipinas, spearheaded the formation of the Popular Music Foundation of the Philippines. The Foundation sought to provide radio stations with a steady supply of quality Original Pilipino Music (OPM) recordings via annual festivals showcasing the best in local music artistry, and in the process, assuring a grand future for Philippine music.
Launched by the Foundation in 1977, the Metropop became a celebrated annual event until 1985. Metropop propelled the musical careers of composers such as Ryan Cayabyab, Louie Ocampo, Odette Quesada, Vehnee Saturno, Alvina Sy, Gary Granada and Freddie Aguilar.
Among the Festival's most popular entries were "Kay Ganda Ng Ating Musika", "Anak", "Minsan Pa", "Ewan", "Till I Met You", "Be My Lady", "Pain", "You Made Me Live Again", "Salamat, Salamat Musika", "Bulag, Pipi at Bingi" and "You're My Home". Singers who trace their roots to the Metropop include Hajji Alejandro, Celeste Legaspi, Anthony Castelo, the Apo Hiking Society, Martin Nievera, Kuh Ledesma, Verni Varga and Ric Segretto.
Of particular mention is Freddie Aguilar's "Anak", who although placed 6th in the first Metropop Festival, spawned awareness of the unlimited directions, and varied forms which local music would take . The song captivated Asia and Europe by storm, having been recorded in several languages by international singing stars.
The Festival's winners also reaped tremendous success in the international arena ushered in by Ryan Cayayab's "Kay Ganda Ng Ating Musika" sung by Hajji Alejandro which won the Grand Prize in the 1978 Seoul Song Festival.
It should be stressed that the annual Festival achieved much more than just the staging of an annual competition among songwriters. Of equal importance should be its imperceptible accomplishments. First, it demonstrated that Filipino songs are market-oriented and are as appealing as their foreign counterparts.
Secondly, the Festival's impressive track record abroad proved that local singers and composers have international savvy.
Thirdly, the Festival accorded proper recognition ont only to the country's amazing crop of singers but more importantly the composers/songwriters, lyricists, arrangers and musicians who are truly the "creators" of these musical master pieces.
And lastly, the Festival succeeded in promoting and catalyzing public pride in and acceptance of Philippine music and in instilling a sense of national identity. When the Festival was launched in 1977, local songs were hardly played on radio. In 1985 (the last year of the Festival), radio was airing local musical recordings a third of the time and today, more than half of the songs played on radio are OPM.

PRODUCTION

Wilma V. Galvante
In-Charge of Production

Marivin Arayata
Production Manger

Cang Arespacochanga
Executive Producer

Al Quinn
Director

Noel Balmaceda
Scriptwriter

Rolly de Leon
Set Designer



ORCHESTRA

Lorenzo Ilustre
Musical Director
Archie Castillo
Guest Arranger

Jun Lantonio
Guest Arranger
Toti Fuentes
Guest Arranger
Alto Sax/Flute
Drums
Electric Bass
Electric Guitar
Acoustic Guitar
Piano
Keyboard 2
Keyboard 3
Percussions
Back-Up Singers (female)
 
 
Back-Up Singers (Male)
 
Guest Guitarists
 
Contractor
Ike Dy-Liacco
Nino Regalado
Roger Herrera
Rudy Lozano
Cesar Aguas
Egay Gonzalez
Rica Arambulo
Marc Lopez
Uly Avante
Babsie Molina
Sylvia Macaraeg
Kitchie Molina
Manolo Tanquilot
Rene Martinez
Jannu Villanueva
Menchu Apostol
Bernardo Manalastas


DESCRIPTION AND OBJECTIVES OF THE METROPOP SONG FESTIVAL
Description
The Metropop Song Festival is an annual nationwide songwriting competition in original popular music being held under the auspices of the GMA Foundation, Inc.
Objectives
To develop, enhance and champion original Philippine music compositions and musical artists.
To enrich the quality and commercial appeal of Philippine music.
To set trends and standards in the Philippine music industry.
 
 Finalists
    Bagong Umaga
    Out In The Open
    Hangin,Ulan, Araw at Lupa
    Shine
    May Pag-ibig Pa Kaya?
    Now and Hereafter
    All I Ever Want
    Believe
    Ang Awit Mo
    Ang Iibigin ay Ikaw
    'Di Ako Marunong Kumanta
    Sometimes You Just Know
Grand Prize
    Sometimes You Just Know
2nd Prize
    Shine
3rd Prize
    Ang Awit Mo


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