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 2000 to 2003 and was later revived in 2013. The theme of the contest has been love songs since 2002.[1]
Since its revival, it is popularly regarded as "the country's premier songwriting contest"[2][3] with Pinoy songwriters and composers submitting thousands of original compositions annually, and the country's top singers interpreting the songs in a live event.[4]
History
Himig Handog was first established in 2000. To date, it only had held five competitions which were in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 and in 2013. Each year, the title and theme of the contest changes. In 2000, the contest was titled as Himig Handog sa Bayang Pilipino which was held on October 1. During the second, third and fourth contests' themes and titles were JAM: Makabagong Kabataan, Love Songs and Love Songs 2 respectively.[5]
From 2001 to 2003, only three songs were rewarded with varying amounts of financial incentives(cash prizes) depending on which entry came in first, second, and third.[6] However, in 2013, the amount of incentives given were raised to five to make up a 'Top Five'. Other award categories were also introduced during this year. Also, it introduced a music video contest where participating tertiary institutions across the country were given the challenge of producing and directing the music videos for each song entry under a certain budget.[7]
The competition ended with "Tara Tena" by Jonathan Manalo (interpreted by Kyla, Kaya, and V3) as the grand winner. Special awards were awarded also with "Si Eddie" by Laarnie Matta "Lani" Macaraeg and Luz Ching "Luchi" Pumarega (interpreted by Dingdong Avanzado) winning all choice awards: Netsurfers Choice Awards, WRR 101.9 For Life Listeners Choice Awards, and Chalk and StarStudio Readers Choice Awards.
The theme of the 2013 contest was P-Pop Love Songs: Mga Awit at Kwento ng Pusong Pilipino [12][13] (lit. P-Pop Love Songs: The Songs and Stories of Filipino Hearts). It was held at the Mall of Asia Arena on February 24, 2013. The competition consists of twelve finalists selected from the 2,500 songs submitted during the auditions.[14]
The competition ended with "Anong Nangyari Sa Ating Dalawa" as the first place by Jovinor Tan (interpreted by Aiza Seguerra). Also, on second place was "Hanggang Wakas" by Soc Villanueva (interpreted by Juris Fernandez); third place was "If You Ever Change Your Mind", which was sung and composed Marion Aunor;[15] fourth place was "Scared to Death" by Domingo Rosco Jr. and sung by KZ Tandingan; and fifth place was "Kahit Na" by Julius James de Belen and interpreted by Toni Gonzaga.[16][17][18][19][20]
Meanwhile, the song "Nasa Iyo na ang Lahat" by Jungee Marcelo which was sung by Daniel Padilla won special awards. These include MOR Listener's Choice, Tambayan 101.9 Listener's Choice, Star Records CD Buyer's Choice and the MYX Choice for Best Video.[16][21]
This year's contest was titled "Himig Handog P-Pop Love Songs" and was held at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on September 28, 2014, where the interpreters performed their songs with an orchestra conducted by Gerard Salonga. The event was hosted by Kim Chiu, Xian Lim, Alex Gonzaga and Robi Domingo. The studio versions of the songs were performed by the interpreters live at the morning lifestyle TV show Kris TV and on Sunday noontime variety show ASAP 19 ahead of the grand-finals night.
The Top 15 finalists of the 2016 Himig Handog P-Pop Love Songs was released on January 13, 2016.[27] The grand finals night was held at the Kia Theatre on April 24, 2016, and aired on ABS-CBN's "Sunday's Best". This was hosted by Kathryn Bernardo, Enrique Gil, Liza Soberano and Robi Domingo. "Dalawang Letra", a song entry composed by Pinoy Dream Academy alumnus Davey Langit and interpreted by Itchyworms band was named as the grand winner, while the song "O Pag-Ibig", composed by Honlani Rabe and Jack Rufo and interpreted by Ylona Garcia and Bailey May bagged the most number of special awards.[28]
MOR 101.9 Choice Award - O Pag-Ibig by Bailey May and Ylona Garcia
TFC's Global Choice Award - O Pag-Ibig by Bailey May and Ylona Garcia
One Music Philippines Favorite Interpreter Choice Award - O Pag-Ibig by Bailey May and Ylona Garcia
MYX Best Music Video Choice Award - O Pag-Ibig by Bailey May and Ylona Garcia
Star Music Choice Award - Nyebe by Kaye Cal
Himig Handog (2017)
The Top 10 finalists of the Himig Handog 2017 was released on September 10, 2017. The grand finals day was held on ASAP on November 26, 2017, on ABS-CBN. "Titibo-Tibo", a song entry composed by Libertine Amistoso and interpreted by Moira Dela Torre was named as the grand winner, while the song "Tayo na Lang Kasi", composed by Soc Villanueva and interpreted by Kyla and Jason Dy bagged the most number of special awards.
MOR 101.9 Choice Award - Tayo na Lang Kasi by Kyla and Jason Dy
TFC's Global Choice Award - Wow na Feelings by Janella Salvador
One Music Philippines Favorite Interpreter Choice Award - Tayo na Lang Kasi by Kyla and Jason Dy
MYX Best Music Video Choice Award - Tayo na Lang Kasi by Kyla and Jason Dy
Star Music Choice Award - The Labo Song by Kaye Cal
Himig Handog (2018)
The Top 10 finalists of the Himig Handog 2018 was released on September 25, 2018, and on September 26, 2018, they revealed their interpreters. The grand finals day was held on ASAP on November 11, 2018, on ABS-CBN. This was also the last episode of ASAP prior to its reformat into ASAP Natin 'To in the following week after the entry of Regine Velasquez as a main host.
Unlike in previous years, a competition between universities and colleges for the best music video production was not held.
TFC's Global Choice Award - Sugarol by Maris Racal
One Music Philippines Favorite Interpreter Choice Award - Wala Kang Alam by Sam Mangubat
MYX Best Music Video Choice Award - Sugarol by Maris Racal
Star Music Choice Award - Mas Mabuti Pa by Janine Berdin
Producer's Award - Tinatapos Ko Na by Jona
Himig Handog (2019)
The Top 12 finalists of the Himig Handog 2019 was released on June 24, 2019, while the interpreters were revealed on July 26, 2019. The grand finals day was held on ASAP Natin 'To on October 13, 2019, on ABS-CBN.
One Music Philippines Favorite Interpreter Choice Award
MYX Best Music Video Choice Award
Star Music Choice for Best Produced Track
Special Awards:
Listeners' Choice Award - Mabagal by Daniel Padilla and Moira Dela Torre
MOR 101.9 Choice Award - Mabagal by Daniel Padilla and Moira Dela Torre
One Music Philippines Favorite Interpreter Choice Award - Mabagal by Daniel Padilla and Moira Dela Torre
MYX Best Music Video Choice Award - Mabagal by Daniel Padilla and Moira Dela Torre
Star Music Choice for Best Produced Track - Mabagal by Daniel Padilla and Moira Dela Torre
Himig Handog (2020)
This year, among the 3,000 of compositions submitted, the Top 12 finalists of the Himig Handog 2020 was announced on September 26, 2020, via ABS-CBN social media platforms and the interpreters were revealed on October 24, 2020.[29][30]
The music videos for all songs were released on January 2, 2021.
Because of the restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines, the grand finals night was held without a live audience, and was streamed on KTX.ph with a delayed telecast on Sunday's Best, while the organizers, artists, and crew followed quarantine periods, enforced swab test requirements, maintained distancing protocols and followed all health and safety procedures to ensure their safety and good health.
TFC's Global Choice Award - Tinadhana Sa'yo by Zephanie
MYX Choice for Best Music Video Award - Marupok by KZ Tandingan
Most Streamed Song - Kahit Kunwari Man Lang by Moira Dela Torre and Agsunta
PhilPop Himig Handog Songwriting Festival (2022-2025)
In September 2022, PhilPop and Himig Handog, renowned entities in the Philippine music industry, collaborated for the biggest songwriting festival in the Philippines. This collaboration followed an open audition where songwriters could submit their released or unreleased songs.[31]
On April 14, 2023, PhilPop and Himig Handog announced the selection of 35 DigiCamp fellows who would take part in the Songwriting Festival. These selected 35 Fellows engaged in a 2-month DigiCamp program tailored to enrich their songwriting skills. The DigiCamp curriculum included a well-structured program providing training, guidance, and mentorship to foster the development of their capabilities as songwriters. After the 2-month training, the 35 fellows had to submit their final entries to qualify for the top 12.
On July 22, 2023, PhilPop and Himig Handog, revealed the top 12 selected Grand Finalists who had qualified to progress to the forthcoming competition. The top 12 entries went through multiple rounds of adjudication, headed by an esteemed panel of Board Members, producers, key leaders, prominent songwriters, and decision-makers affiliated with PhilPop and Himig Handog.[32]
One year after the announcement of the Top 12, on July 17, 2024, a video uploaded by Star Music PH and Philpop unveiled the names of the interpreters and their respective songs, alongside the composers. The following day, July 18, 2024, marked the highly anticipated grand media launch of Philpop Himig Handog 2024. This event was attended by the interpreters and the top 12 composers, including notable figures like Ice Seguerra, Moira Dela Torre, Johnoy Danao, Maki, VXON, Khimo Gumatay and several emerging artists from the Philippines.[33]
The top 12 Philpop Himig Handog songs were released on all digital platforms on July 19, 2024.[34] The Official music videos were released on November 8, 2024, on the ABSCBN Star Music YouTube channel.[35] The Grand Finals event is anticipated to occur in the first quarter of 2025.
^Yip, Ho-kwen, Austin (2009). From piano to music (Thesis). The University of Hong Kong Libraries. doi:10.5353/th_b4322430 (inactive November 1, 2024).{{cite thesis}}: CS1 maint: DOI inactive as of November 2024 (link) CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
