PhilPop 2016: The Itchyworms, Jason Dy, The Benjamins Share New OPM Songs

PhilPop 2016: The Itchyworms, Jason Dy, The Benjamins Share New OPM Songs

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Wishers were in for a back-to-back-to-back Wishclusive treat as the interpreters of the top three songs of the Philippine Popular Music Festival (Philpop) 2016 invaded the Wish 107.5 Bus on August 22.

Itchyworms, Jason Dy and The Benjamins hopped on the FM-on-wheels and shared new, appealing OPM pieces that celebrate the efforts of Filipino composers to help keep the local music scene thriving.

'Di Na Muli

First timers on the bus, members of the top-notch OPM band Itchyworms rendered a WISHclusive performance of “Di na Muli,” written by Philpop 2016 grand champs Jazz Nicolas and Wally Acolala.

A hopeful ode dedicated to the youth, the track urges the young who are busy with work to focus on the more important things in life.
The band said they were very thankful that their song was hailed as the 2016 Philpop grand winner. This year marks their 20th year anniversary as a group.

Apart from their recent win, Itchyworms has also delighted their fans with the recent release of “Pariwara,” a collaboration they did with OPM icon Ely Buendia.

Lahat

R&B crooner Jason Dy, who also served as the Roadshow’s guest celebrity DJ for the day, did a swooning performance of “Lahat.”

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A Soc Villanueva original, the song that was declared as this year’s Philpop 2016 second placer is actually a love letter written for the composer’s wife. The couple is celebrating 25 years of marriage.

Though his return on the bus seemed short of time, fans can see more of Jason’s musicality on his upcoming “Breakthrough” concert. His first major solo show is happening on September 17 at the SM North Skydome with special guest KZ Tandingan.

Tinatangi

Twin brothers Paolo and Miguel Guico, collectively known as the folk-acoustic duo The Benjamins, capped off the set with “Tinatangi.” The song, which bagged the contest’s third prize and “Best Music Video” award, also featured Bayang Barrios and Cooky Chua.

Inspired by their encounter with a tribal community in Bukidnon, Paolo and Miguel wrote “Tinatangi” with an objective to share the kind of music they experienced with a bigger audience.

Rookies in such major competition, the two said that their win is indeed a dream come true. They also added that Philpop is “a great experience for any singer/songwriter because it really helps [artists] grow.”

Philpop is a songwriting competition annually held by PhilPop MusicFest Foundation, Inc. Through this event, the foundation wants to “encourage songwriters to churn out original Filipino sound,” PhilPop Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan remarked during the finals night.