The Metro Manila Popular Music Festival (also known as Metropop) was launched by the Popular Music Foundation of the

Philippines The Philippines, officially the Republic of the Philippines, is an Archipelagic state, archipelagic country in Southeast Asia. Located in the western Pacific Ocean, it consists of List of islands of the Philippines, 7,641 islands, with a tot ...

in 1977 and was held annually from 1978 to 1985. It was "the country's pioneering and once foremost songwriting competition", according to ''

The Philippine Star ''The Philippine Star'' (self-styled ''The Philippine STAR'') is an English-language newspaper in the Philippines and the flagship brand of the Philstar Media Group. First published on July 28, 1986, by veteran journalists Betty Go-Belmonte, ...

''. Its objective was to promote the advancement of Filipino music, and its chief proponents were journalist Teodoro Valencia and

Imee Marcos Maria Imelda Josefa Remedios "Imee" Romualdez Marcos-Manotoc (; born November 12, 1955) is a Filipino politician and film producer serving as a Senate of the Philippines, senator since 2019. She previously served as governor of Ilocos Norte ...

. Over the years, the festival helped launch the careers of many singers and songwriters, among them

Freddie Aguilar Ferdinand "Freddie" Pascual Aguilar (; February 5, 1953 – May 27, 2025), also known by his Muslim name Abdul Farid, was a Filipino musician regarded as one of the pillars and icons of Original Pilipino Music (OPM). He was best known for his i ...

. The songwriting competition was originally open to all composers. From the fourth festival onwards, it was divided into professional and amateur sections, to give new songwriters a level playing field without competing with more well-known composers. After 1985, the festival was discontinued due to a decline in public interest. It was later revived as the Metropop Song Festival, which aired on the

GMA Network GMA Network (an acronym of its legal name, Global Media Arts and commonly known as GMA) is a Television in the Philippines, Philippine commercial broadcast network, serving as the flagship property of publicly traded GMA Network (company), ...

from 1996 to 2003.

Original Metropop (1978–1985)

First Metro Manila Popular Music Festival

"Anak" failed to win any of the prizes, but went on to become one of the most popular Philippine pop songs ever and to launch the career of

. This period in time was right at the beginning of the Original Pilipino Music (OPM) boom, and after this first festival, the singing careers of

Hajji Alejandro Angelito "Hajji" Toledo Alejandro (; December 26, 1954 – April 21, 2025) was a Filipino singer and actor who was a major pop star in the 1970s and 1980s. One of the first original Pilipino music (OPM) icons, Alejandro's singing career start ...

Celeste Legaspi Celeste Kalugdan Legaspi-Gallardo (born March 18, 1950) is a Filipino singer, actress, film and theatre producer. She is an advocate for the rights of the artists. Her singles and albums reached gold or platinum status during the 1960s, 1970s ...

, Maricris Bermont, and Anthony Castelo went to full gear.

Ryan Cayabyab Raymundo Cipriano Pujante Cayabyab (born May 4, 1954), known professionally as Ryan Cayabyab (), is a Filipino musician, composer and conductor of Original Pilipino Music (OPM). He was the Executive and Artistic Director for several years fo ...

is now a well-respected composer and musician; so as Joel Navarro. Imelda Papin and

Janet Basco Janet Macabasco is a Filipino singer. She is known for her hits "You Made Me Live Again", "Minsan Pa", and "My Girl, My Woman, My Friend" in a duet with Jose Mari Chan. In the music video version of this song, she is seen sitting on the sofa eatin ...

went on to big careers as well after they had other hit songs.

Heber Bartolome Heber Gonzalez Bartolome (November 4, 1948 – November 15, 2021) was a Filipino folk and rock singer, songwriter, composer, poet, guitarist, bandurria player, bluesman, and painter. His music was influenced by the "stylistic tradition" of Ph ...

's "Tayo'y Mga Pinoy" became a protest anthem, and Ryan Cayabyab's "Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika" became the anthem of sorts of Original Pilipino Music. Emil Mijares was the musical director for this festival. The first grand finals of the festival was held at the

Folk Arts Theater The Tanghalang Francisco Balagtas (), formerly known as the Folk Arts Theater, was a theater located in the Cultural Center of the Philippines Complex in Malate, Manila. It is a covered proscenium amphitheater owned by the Cultural Center of ...

, with RPN-9 as the official broadcaster for the first edition of the said competition.

Second Metro Manila Popular Music Festival

This time, Freddie Aguilar's interpretation of

Snaffu Rigor Roberto Nicolas "Snaffu" Rigor (August 8, 1946 – August 3, 2016) was a Filipino songwriter and vocalist. He started composing in 1964. His first recorded Tagalog composition was "T.L. Ako Sa'yo", a hit by Cinderella in 1975. He also wrote t ...

's composition won the grand prize. However, the biggest pop hit to come out of the 2nd Metropop was that of "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. The Apo is one of the biggest musical acts ever in the Philippines, and their songs have been covered through the years. 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 failed to 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 failed to place, but has since become a classic pop hit. The song first utilized as the main theme of

ABS-CBN ABS-CBN is a leading Philippine media and content company. It serves as the flagship media brand of ABS-CBN Corporation, a subsidiary of Lopez Holdings Corporation. Once the country's largest free-to-air television network, ABS-CBN has since ...

's now-defunct weekday morning show of the same title, and also became the campaign song for the presidential bid of

Bongbong Marcos Ferdinand "Bongbong" Romualdez Marcos Jr. (, , ; born September 13, 1957), commonly referred to by the initials BBM or PBBM, is a Filipino politician who has served as the 17th president of the Philippines since 2022. He is the second child ...

in 2022.

Third Metro Manila Popular Music Festival

Leah Navarro and "Isang Mundo Isang Awit" represented the Philippines and won the bronze prize at that year's Seoul Popular Music Festival. "Ikaw, Ako, Tayo (Magkakapatid)" turned out to be the biggest hit from the Third Metropop.

Fourth Metro Manila Popular Music Festival

Established singers like Florante, Eugene Villaluz, Leo Valdez, and Marco Sison interpreted their first Metropop entries. Something Special was an offshoot of The New Minstrels, and Joseph Olfindo also came from the latter singing group. There was no big hit from the festival songs, although "Kahit Konti" and "Magsimula Ka" were relative successes. Emil Sanglay (pioneer of the Neo-Ethnic Rock or the world music of today in the Philippines) and Sonny Nicolas also known as Philippine's "Jose Feliciano" (both singers, composers and guitarists) were the only individuals who interpreted their own songs. The one aside from the women in Something Special (there were male members as well), all the interpreters in this festival were men.

Fifth Metro Manila Popular Music Festival

Sixth Metro Manila Popular Music Festival

Sventh Metro Manila Popular Music Festival

Eighth Metro Manila Popular Music Festival

Metropop Song Festival (1996–2003)

The Metropop Song Festival (also known as Metropop) was an annual

Philippine The Philippines, officially the Republic of the Philippines, is an Archipelagic state, archipelagic country in Southeast Asia. Located in the western Pacific Ocean, it consists of List of islands of the Philippines, 7,641 islands, with a tot ...

music festival that served as a relaunch of the original competition, which began in 1996 and ran until 2003. The festival was broadcast on

. It has recognized non-mainstream musicians such as Gary Granada and Angelo Villegas, and boosted the singing careers of Jaya and

Carol Banawa Carol Claire Aguilar Banawa-Crisostomo (born March 4, 1981), better known in the Philippines as Carol Banawa, is a Filipino people, Filipina singer-songwriter, actress, and nurse currently based in United States of America, United States. She i ...

upon participating as interpreters. Another associated event called the Metropop Young Singers (later renamed Metropop Star Search) ran at the same time. Unlike the main festival, this event served as a talent competition for young aspiring singers. The contestants were judged based on their interpretation or cover of an already released music material. The most notable participant was Melanie Calumpad who came third in 1997 and later returned as an interpreter for the actual song festival in 2003 under her stage name Kyla. She went on to have a successful career in music and competed as an interpreter for the winning songs at the

Himig Handog Himig Handog (Eng: Musical Offering) is a multimedia songwriting and music video competition in the Philippines based in Quezon City. The competition is operated by ABS-CBN Corporation and its music subsidiary Star Music. The contest ran from 20 ...

and Philippine Popular Music Festival song contests.

Metropop Song Festival winners

1996: * ''Sometimes You Just Know'', composers: Danny Tan, and Edith Gallardo, interpreter: Jaya (grand prize) * ''Shine'', composer:

Trina Belamide Katrina "Trina" Belamide is a Filipino songwriter and record producer. According to the ''Manila Times'' she has written songs for most of the Philippines' top recording artists. Career Belamide began taking piano lessons at age 8 and started ...

, interpreter: Ima Castro (recording only) (second prize) * ''Aawitin Ko, Ang Awit Mo'', composer: Greg Caro, interpreter: Rannie Raymundo (third prize) 1997: * ''Para Sa Inyo, 'Tong Kanta Kong 'To'', composer and interpreter: Gideon "Jungee" Marcelo (grand prize) * ''If I Could'', composer: Dodjie Simon, interpreter: Lloyd Umali (second prize) * ''Delikado, Delikadesa'', composer: Soc Villanueva, interpreter: Judith Banal (third prize) 1998: * ''Mabuti Pa Sila'', composer and interpreter: Gary Granada (grand prize) * ''Bring Back The Times'', composer: Eunice Saldaña, interpreter:

Dessa Margret Wander (born May 23, 1981), better known by her stage name Dessa, is an American singer, rapper, musician, writer, and former record executive. She is a member of the indie hip hop collective Doomtree. Early life Dessa was born to Rob ...

(second prize) * ''You Make Me Smile'', composer: Rica Arambulo, interpreter:

(third prize) 1999: * ''Can't Stop Loving You'', composer: Dodjie Simon, interpreter: Lani Misalucha and The Noisy Neighbors (grand prize) * ''Tayo Pa Rin'', composer: Soc Villanueva, interpreter: Zebedee Zuniga (second prize) * ''Clara's Eyes'', composer: Joey Benin, interpreter: Side A (third prize) 2000: * ''Forever And A Day'', composer: Angelo Villegas, interpreter:

Rachel Alejandro Rachel Jingco Alejandro (born February 18, 1974) is a Filipino singer and actress. Biography Early life Alejandro's parents separated when she was four. Her mother, Myrna Demauro, then remarried and moved to the United States. Together with h ...

(grand prize) * ''Paano Na?'', composer: Arnold Reyes, interpreter: Bituin Escalante (second prize) * ''Ganyan Ako'', composer: Vehnee Saturno, interpreter:

Jeremiah Jeremiah ( – ), also called Jeremias, was one of the major prophets of the Hebrew Bible. According to Jewish tradition, Jeremiah authored the Book of Jeremiah, book that bears his name, the Books of Kings, and the Book of Lamentations, with t ...

(third prize) 2001 * ''Pag-Uwi'' – composers:Louie Ocampo and Joey Ayala, interpreter- Martin Nievera (grand prize) * ''Kawikaan'' – composers:Laverne Ducut and Catherine Carlos, interpreter- Cynthia Alexander (second prize) * ''Heaven Sent ''- composer- Dennis Garcia, interpreter- Ella Mae Saison with The Saisons and Friends, musi arranger - Emil Mayor (third prize) 2003: * ''Malayo Man, Malapit Din ''- composer and interpreter- Bayang Barrios (grand prize) * ''Pretend That I Don't Love You'' – composer:Mike Villegas, interpreter- Cookie Chua (second prize) * ''Buti Na Lang'' – composer:Jonathan Manalo, interpreter- Kyla (third prize)

Metropop Star Search winners

1997: * Jonard Yanzon- "

I Believe I Can Fly "I Believe I Can Fly" is a song written, produced, and performed by American singer R. Kelly from the soundtrack to the 1996 film '' Space Jam''. It was originally released on November 26, 1996, and was later included on Kelly's 1998 album '' R ...

" (champion) * Carmela Cuneta- "Di Ko Na Kaya" (second place) * Melanie Calumpad- " Somewhere Over the Rainbow" (third place) 1998: * Champagne Morales- "

Journey to the Past "Journey to the Past" is a song written by lyricist Lynn Ahrens and composer Stephen Flaherty for the animated musical film ''Anastasia (1997 film), Anastasia'' (1997). Originally recorded for the film by American actress and singer Liz Callaway ...

" (champion) *

Roxanne Barcelo Anne Roxanne Barcelo (born January 20, 1985), also known as Roxee B, is a Filipino-American actress, model and singer. In 2006, she became one of the 14 housemates of ABS-CBN's '' Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Edition''. Before entering the Big ...

- "

Part of Your World "Part of Your World" is a song written by lyricist Howard Ashman and composer Alan Menken for Disney's animated feature film '' The Little Mermaid'' (1989). Performed by American actress and singer Jodi Benson in the titular role as Ariel, a ...

" (second place) * Xaxa Manalo- " Bakit Pa?" (third place) 1999: * Miles Poblete - " Anak ng Pasig" (champion) * Idelle Martinez- " Baby, One More Time" (second place) * Jericson Matias- " Stay the Same" (third place) 2000: * Anna Katrina Lara- " On the Wings of Love" (champion) * Camile Velasco - " How Could an Angel Break My Heart" (second place) * Jacky Garcia- "

I Don't Wanna Miss A Thing "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" is a song by American hard rock band Aerosmith as the theme song for the 1998 science fiction disaster film ''Armageddon'', in which lead singer Steven Tyler's daughter Liv starred. It is one of four songs perform ...

" (third place)

References

{{Music of the Philippines Music festivals established in 1977 Recurring events disestablished in 1985 Music festivals established in 1996 Recurring events disestablished in 2003 1977 establishments in the Philippines 1985 disestablishments in the Philippines 1996 establishments in the Philippines 2003 disestablishments in the Philippines Radio Philippines Network original programming GMA Network television specials Pop music festivals Song contests Music festivals in the Philippines Festivals in Metro Manila Philippine music awards