From the 2010s to the present, the Himig Handog and PhilPop songwriting competitions opened multiple doors for singers, songwriters, and producers who’ve now established themselves as household names in original Pinoy music (OPM).
Every year, the two competitions produce iconic Pinoy pop (P-pop) love songs that the whole country puts on repeat. These tracks were carefully selected from hundreds of aspiring hitmakers from every region. OPM’s brightest stars gathered to perform the final selection, while fans voted for their favorite entries. Student filmmakers were on board, too, at the helm of each contending song’s music video.
Photo: ABS-CBN Star Music, Universal Records Philippines/YouTube
In 2022, the two major organizations joined forces to turn their individual competitions into a collaborative songwriting showcase. The local music scene has been redefined and reimagined in various ways over the past few years. Still, today’s OPM trailblazers remain faithful to the stories, themes, and messages that make the genre one-of-a-kind.
Whether you grew up with P-pop’s high-energy bops or OPM’s timeless emotional anthems, you’ll find a common ground in Himig Handog and PhilPop. We’re honoring our language and lyrics by looking back at the competitions’ greatest hits that unite every generation.
“Dati” – Sam Concepcion, Tippy dos Santos, Quest
Sam Concepcion, Tippy dos Santos, and Quest walked into the recording studio one day in 2015 and said, “We want to make history.” And that’s what “Dati” is. Nostalgia is a powerful tool, and the masterful lyricists of “Dati,” Thyro Alfaro and Yumi Lacsamana, put it to work with strokes of genius in every lyric and verse.
Bittersweet and sentimental, “Dati” pens a thoughtful love letter to Filipinos’ fondest childhood memories—watching Princess Sara, playing bahay-bahayan, gushing over the palpable chemistry of Marvin Agustin and Jolina Magdangal, the list goes on. The song didn’t just win the grand prize at PhilPop 2015; it also touched every Filipino’s heart in the years that have followed.
“Mahal Ko O Mahal Ako” – KZ Tandingan
You must’ve been deep in the country’s hugot culture to know this song—more so, memorize it word for word. No teleserye was safe from having “Mahal Ko O Mahal Ako” set the tone for a jaw-dropping confrontation, love confession, or dramatic shift in a character’s romantic escapades.
“Mahal Ko O Mahal Ako” reigned supreme at Himig Handog in 2014. KZ Tandingan’s soul-stirring vocals were the cherry on top of this go-to theme song for anyone whose feelings are constantly caught in a crossfire.
“Akin Ka Na Lang” – Morissette
Singing contests and weekly music shows haven’t been the same since Morissette released “Akin Ka Na Lang” for Himig Handog in 2014. This song laid the groundwork for power ballads in the Philippines. After an unforgettable Himig Handog debut, the single sparked an enduring transformation into a karaoke staple, viral vocal challenge, and a smash hit that we’ll revisit again and again.
Count on Morissette, Asia’s Phoenix, to lead a love song that launched countless covers and renditions across the country’s entertainment landscape. Every kontesera and biritera, young and old, has made this song their own, cementing its status as a classic in the making.
“Mahal Kita Pero” – Janella Salvador
Hopeless romantics with strict parents were in for a treat when “Mahal Kita Pero” hit our screens and airwaves. Janella Salvador brought sweetness and innocence to this endearing act of professing one’s love to their special admirer despite their family’s disapproval.
“Triangulo” – Thyro Alfaro, Yumi Lacsamana, Jeric Medina
Two years after writing “Dati,” Thyro and Yumi took charge of the vocal department with “Triangulo.” Together with singer-songwriter Jeric Medina, they penned a love song that best fits those who keep changing their relationship statuses from “taken” to “it’s complicated.”
Even a decade later, “Triangulo” remains a masterclass in wordplay, lyricism, and portrayals of a toxic romance that deserves to be studied.
“O Pag-ibig” – Ylona Garcia, Bailey May
Fresh off their stay at Pinoy Big Brother: 737, Ylona Garcia and Bailey May made a case for puppy love in 2016 with “O Pag-ibig.” Himig Handog welcomed love songs spanning every genre and interpretation. Bailey and Ylona best represented the giddy crushes we had on our schoolmates in high school, as well as the whirlwind of emotions we’d conquer to get their attention.
“Mabagal” – Moira dela Torre, Daniel Padilla
Who doesn’t love an old-fashioned love song that’s a staple among Filipino couples? In 2019, Moira dela Torre and Daniel Padilla serenaded the nation and swept the competition off its feet with “Mabagal.” Get ready to take your lover’s hand for the most swoon-worthy slow dance of your life, because this song doesn’t hold back on the sweet talk and affectionate gestures.
“Papahiram” – Moira dela Torre, Johnoy Danao
Following the resounding success of “Mabagal,” Moira returned to the Himig Handog and PhilPop stage in 2024 for “Papahiram.” She and indie musician Johnoy Danao gave listeners a glimpse into the acceptance and reassurance we all long for in a relationship.
In a world that favors fleeting and disposable connections, “Papahiram” reminds us that the best love stories are ones that are quiet but sure. That genuine and sincere bond may take a while to find, but Moira and Johnoy are confident that we’ll all experience it one way or another.
ALSO READ: Need a Soundtrack for Your Yearning Era? These 4 Rising OPM Artists Amp Up the Feels
What are your favorite OPM hits from PhilPop and Himig Handog? Share your picks with us in the comments below!
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