SONGWRITERS VIE FOR TOP PRIZE
Over the years, the songs produced in Himig Handog have won the hearts of Filipino listeners here and abroad. True to its mission, ABS-CBN’s songwriting competition has also continuously brought about the best of OPM by searching for outstanding musical c
Adozen songwriters — newbies, semi-professionals and veterans
— are competing for the million-peso cash prize in the country’s biggest songwriting competition.
All 12 finalists are hoping their songs would win the Best Song that comes with other plum prizes.
The finalists have been selected from almost 4,000 entries. The 12 finalists’ songs have now been produced and given life by selected interpreters.
Daniel Padilla and Moira de la Torre come back in this year’s competition and collaborate in Dan Martel Simon Tañedo’s “Mabagal.”
The Killer Bride star Janella Salvador also returns to join the roster of interpreters with “Nung Tayo Pa” by Rex Torremoro and Elmar Jann Bolaño.
All 12 finalists are hoping their songs would win the Best Song that comes with other plum prizes.
Former Idol Philippines contestant Alekzandra Nicolle Quitalig competes with the song she penned, “Alaala,” while Davao-based singer-songwriter Eamarie Gilayo likewise interprets her own song, “Ikaw at Linggo.”
Another former Idol Philippines contender, Vanya Castor, tries her luck in a different contest by interpreting “Paano Ba,” penned by Richanne Charms Jacinto. Meanwhile, “Isa Pang Ikaw,” by Joseph Ponce is interpreted by former X Factor Australia contestant Justin Vasquez.
This year, acoustic balladeer TJ Monterde interprets “Panandalian,” by Jerome Arcangel and Cee Jay del Rosario, while Alex Gonzaga sings Michael Angelo “Aikee” Aplacador’s “Please Lang.”
Former X Factor Philippines contestant Joan Da interprets her song with LJ Manzano entitled “Sasabihin Ko,” while singer-songwriter Davey Langit comes back in the competition — this time as an interpreter of the song “Simula ng Dulo,” which he co-wrote with Therese Marie Villarante.
I Belong To The Zoo sings Ferdinand Aragon’s “Ingat,” while “Tawag ng Tanghalan” champion Janine Berdin sings “Sa’yong Mundo” by Noah Zuniga.
Over the years, the songs produced in Himig Handog have won the hearts of Filipino listeners here and abroad. True to its mission, ABS-CBN’s songwriting competition has also continuously brought about the best of OPM by searching for outstanding musical compositions from all over the world.
The grand winner will take home P1 million, while the second, third, fourth and fifth placers get P500,000, P200,000, P150,000 and P100,000 cash prizes, respectively. The grand finals of Himig Handog 2019 will be telecast live in ASAP Natin ‘To on 13 October. Apart from the Best Song, the entries vie for other awards, like MOR’s Choice, MYX Choice for Best Music Video, TFC’s Global Choice Award, Star Music’s Choice Award and Best Produced track.
The #HimigHandog2019
songs can be streamed on all digital music sites worldwide and are also available on Star Music’s YouTube channel.
For details, like @HimigHandog2019
on Facebook. You may also visit starmusic.ph, like Star Music on facebook.com/starmusicph, and follow it on Twitter and Instagram @StarMusicPH.
Richard and Lucy embrace their best selves
Richard Gomez and wife Lucy Torres-Gomez have always been known as #couplegoals. Their love story has been witnessed by many and to this day, they are still being watched closely.
The two are the newest faces of Ultherapy, proving they are indeed a power couple in more ways than one, having been together for over 21 years. People ask, what could be their secret? The two have nothing more profound to say than, “It’s just loving each other in small ways and big ways. We allow each other time for ourselves and I think that’s what makes it so much easier for us to love each other better.”
Both Richard and Lucy embody what it means to embrace a better version of themselves for others, making them the perfect ambassadors for #UltherapyForTwo, Ultherapy’s newest campaign that champions how taking care of yourself allows you to take better care of the people around you.
“We don’t really get a chance to work with each other very often, so this was the perfect chance to spend more time together,” said Richard. “We’re far apart on a daily basis, so we really take any chance we can get to be together. When I had my Ultherapy treatment done, it was even bonus bonding time for us!”
“I’ve had Ultherapy done before, and I really swear by it,” Lucy shared. “It made me look and feel younger and made me feel like I could take on more. The impact that (it) had on me made me want Richard to try it, too!”
Many men have yet to be more vocal about how they take care of themselves, but Richard is open about wanting to make sure every aspect of his life is looked after. “Tayong mga lalaki, we have to be more open to these things,” he said. “You’re just pushing yourself to be a better, more confident version of yourself. And that will also affect the people around you.” According to the couple, it was Lucy who got Richard to explore how to level up in taking care of himself. “Whether it’s her work, her parenting, or her commitment to being a better version of herself — all of it has made me want to do better and be better,” he said. On Lucy’s end, Ultherapy allowed her to find extra time for herself without sacrificing time spent on her family and work. “No matter how busy I am because of work and being a mom and wife, I make sure there’s room to slip in some me-time, the way I do with Ultherapy. It’s so easy to incorporate into my schedule too,” she said. “You take care of the physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of your life so that everything comes together.”
Juliana at the UP
Richard Gomez and Lucy Torres are happy that daughter Juliana Gomez chose the University of the Philippines (UP) for her college education.
“I’m happy that she’s in UP because that’s where I went, that’s where (Richard) went also,” Lucy said in an interview at the Ultherapy For Two event.
“I’d like her to experience that environment. I had a really nice time in UP. Maybe it’s different kasi UP Cebu ako. Wala namang big demonstrations. UP Diliman is a much bigger campus.”
It was Juliana’s decision to enter UP, but she did consider other universities for college.
Richard said, “I brought her also to Ateneo campus. Sabi ko, ‘Take a look at it. We’ll go around.’ I brought her to Diliman. Sabi ko, ‘Take a good look again.’”
Many of Juliana’s friends are off to study college abroad, but Richard and Lucy are more than thankful that their 18-year-old daughter is staying here.
Richard said, “Early on, sabi ng mommy niya at sinabi ko rin, ‘Dito ka talaga mag-aaral.’”
Lucy added, “Parang fetus pa siya, ‘Philippines ka lang. Maybe, she can go there for Master’s, but for now, we want to keep her close... It’s hard enough now with all of us being in the Philippines, but different locations. So, how much more if ganun? Tatlo na nga lang kami, ‘tapos mawawatak pa. I tell her na maybe if there were five of them, then I’d be more open to sending some of them abroad.”
Both Richard and Lucy embody what it means to embrace a better version of themselves for others, making them the perfect ambassadors for #UltherapyForT wo, Ultherapy’s newest campaign that champions how taking care of yourself allows you to take better care of the people around you.