8th METRO MANILA POPULAR MUSIC FESTIVAL FULL SHOW - March 2, 1985

Danny Tan's Throwback #138
On March 2, 1985, the (8th) Metro Manila Popular Music Festival was staged at the Araneta Coliseum for the last time. It was just fitting to end the show with my arrangement of Gary Granada's "Salamat, Salamat...Musika", Grand Prize winner of the 7th Metro Manila Popular Music Festival (interpreted by Nanette Inventor in 1984). Enjoy this edited video of the FULL SHOW of the 8th Metro Manila Popular Music Festival.

TIMELINE:
-1984: I arranged the Grand Prize winning song of the 7th Metro Manila Popular Music Festival - Gary Granada's "SALAMAT, SALAMAT...MUSIKA", interpreted by Ms. Nanette Inventor.
-1985: I became the Musical Director of the last staging of the (8th) Metro Manila Popular Music Festival on March 2, 1985.
-1996: My song "SOMETIMES YOU JUST KNOW" won the Grand Prize at the re-staging of the Metro Manila Popular Music Festival under a new name - the 1st Metropop Song Festival - with lyricist Edith Gallardo and interpreter Jaya.
-1997: I was hired as Musical Director of the 2nd Metropop Song Festival.
-2000: I was designated as Chairman of the Board of Judges. After winning 3rd Prize, Vehnee Saturno accused me of scoring his song entry way too low and influencing my fellow judges to decrease his chances of winning the Grand Prize. He demanded that the Metropop Foundation should publicly release the score sheets of the judges. He issued libelous statements against me through an article written by Ms. Leah C. Salterio. The funny thing was, the Chairman was not allowed to vote, only to break a tie. How could I influence esteemed luminaries in their own field of expertise such as Mr. Ricky Lo, Ms. Shirley Pizarro, Ms. Dulce, Mr. Gary Granada and Mr. Joey Javier Reyes, to name a few? Being independent thinkers, both Mr. Lo and Ms. Pizarro denounced Vehnee's allegations in their respective broadsheet columns. Mr. Joey de Leon assured me, when we met personally at Eat Bulaga's studio, that they did not believe Vehnee's allegations against me. Vehnee should be thankful I did not file a libel suit against him. Even to this day, he has never apologized to me!

BACKSTORY: The biggest break of my musical career in pop music was arranging the 7th Metro Manila Popular Music Festival Grand Prize (Professional Division) winning song of Gary Granada, "Salamat, Salamat... Musika" in 1984. The legendary and most loved director Al Quinn hired me as the Musical Director of the 8th Metro Manila Popular Music Festival, staged at the Araneta Coliseum in 1985. This was my biggest break as a Musical Director. That same year, he hired me again as the Musical Director and Arranger of the 4th Cecil Awards in June 1985 at the Manila Film Center (unfortunately I don't have a video of this). THANK YOU VERY MUCH, TITO AL QUINN!!!

8th METRO MANILA POPULAR MUSIC FESTIVAL - ARANETA COLISEUM (March 2, 1985)
Musical Director & Arranger: Danny Tan
Stage & TV Director: Al Quinn
Executive Producer: Ms. Imee Marcos-Manotoc
Vice Chairman (Popular Music Foundation): Mr. Antonio C. Barreiro
Producer: Ed Finlan
Project Director: Rod Pujante
Scriptwriter: Jake Tordesillas
Asst. Scriptwriter: Roldeo Endrinal
Set Designer: Badong Bernal
Choreographer: Robert Tongko

Hosts: Mr. Gary Valenciano and Ms. Pops Fernandez

AMATEUR DIVISION
1. KINABUKASAN - Music & Lyrics: Rudy delos Reyes / Interpreter: Joannie Feliciano - GRAND PRIZE
2. MUSIKA, LATA, SIPOL AT LALALA - Music & Lyrics: Tess Concepcion / Interpreter: Lea Salonga & Gerard Salonga - 2nd PRIZE
3. PILIPINO AKO (ITO ANG ALAY KO) - Music: Junn Sta. Maria, Lyrics: Larry Tan & Nina Florentino / Interpreter: Veronica - 3rd PRIZE
4. PAG-IBIG SA ATING MUSIKA - Music & Lyrics: Bobby Bonus / Interpreter: Nailcllippers
5. ANG SINISISI - Music & Lyrics: Alejandra Ramos / Interpreter: Gloria Belen
6. COME BE A PART OF MY SONG - Music: Ed Nepomuceno, Lyrics: Edward Granadosin / Interpreter: Iwi Laurel
7. ITO NA NGA - Music & Lyrics: Angelica Lim / Interpreter: Robby Miguel

PROFESSIONAL DIVISION
1. PAG-ASA NG MUNDO - Music & Lyrics: Alvina Eileen Sy / Interpreter: Ivy Violan - GRAND PRIZE
2. YOU'RE MY HOME- Music & Lyrics: Odette Quesada / Interpreter: Odette Quesada - 2nd PRIZE
3. ANTING-ANTING - Music & Lyrics: Emil Sanglay / Interpreter: Emil Sanglay at ang Pen-Pen - 3rd PRIZE
4. ANI-A AKO ANG IMONG HIGALA - Music & Lyrics: Philip Abrogar / Interpreter: Philip Abrogar
5. KUWARTA, KUWARTA - Music & Lyrics: Sunny Ilacad / Interpreter: Vincent Daffalong
6. MANALIG KA - Music: Joel Navarro, Lyrics: N. Arnel de Pano / Interpreter: Dio Marco
7. SA ATING DAIGDIG - Music & Lyrics: Sonny Angeles / Interpreter: Manilyn Reynes