This is a forced ranking (lol) of Himig Handog 2016 songs based on my preference. I am sharing this so that those who haven’t been paying attention to OPM lately will realize that we have been blessed this year with a lot of good songs from amazing artists and outstanding Filipino songwriters.

So here goes:

15. Patay Na Si Uto – Nyoy Volante

Listened to it for about five times and that’s it. Not my cup of tea. Its lyrics and tune are forgettable.

14. Dalawang Letra - Itchyworms

Sounded like a feel-good song at first but eventually bored me. I definitely heard better songs from Itchyworms. Uh-oh.

13. Laban Pa – KZ Tandingan feat. Jay-R

Very, very high expectations for KZ and Jay-R. Perhaps I expected an emotional RNB song that’d be akin to Superhuman, No Air or Whenever You Call but nah, I get the uplifting, empowering theme but I am not buying the song especially the chorus. (It’s basically just “laban laban pa” and other words.) A+ for KZ for the rap part though. Gives Gloc 9 a run for his money.

12. Bibitawan Ka – Juris

Well, Juris came in 5th in 2014 and 2nd in 2013. So she’s basically a Himig Handog Powerhouse (like KZ Tandingan). Everyone might have expected too much from a Juris-interpreted, Hazel  Faith dela Cruz-penned song. But “Bibitawan Ka”, with all its might, is underwhelming. It’s one of those songs which may sound good on radio but if Juris performs this live, it’d be challenging. Try singing it. You’ll understand why.

11. Tama Lang – Jolina Magdangal

A very honest song from Jolina. But not that new to the ears. It’s like an alternate OST to Wish Ko Lang. we all know that Jolina isn’t the "patayan" type of singer. She relies on her low notes and subtle falsettos. She delivers that here but like “Tama Lang” that almost narrates a hundred pairs of antonyms in the lyrics,  the song safely settles in the middle of the pack. Definitely, for me, not a grand champion material.

10. Minamahal Parin Ako – Daryl Ong

This is a good song! Don’t get me wrong! Haha. As usual, we are thrilled to listen to Daryl’s amazing RNB voice. But, but, but. Haha. After the song’s first chorus, it already sounds like a Willie Revillame song. And by that, I mean it’s not that appealing to some people (like me). For some reason, I feel like there’s a disconnect in the song and I can’t find it. I’m sorry.

9. Mananatili - Janella Salvador and Marlo Mortel

For those who still doubt Janella and Marlo’s singing prowess, please play this song a hundred times. It’s definitely a song people would sing at KTV bars. My only concern for the song is that the vocalists sound so good individually but when they actually harmonize, I lose the song sometimes. This may be attributable to the fact that when it comes to duet, Regine-Ogie and Jennylyn-Janno are my standards. It’s not all screams. Unfortunately, “Mananatili” is major in screams.

8. Ambon - Barbie Almalbis

This is the most poetic song in this year’s tracklist! And definitely, one of the most lyrically enchanting Filipino songs I have heard. What do you do to a song that narrates, “Ako’y nakatayo sa lilim ng iyong yakap at mga halik pero nalulunod parin”? Of course, you drown in it too. Given the weirdly, foreign-sounding Tagalog accent of Barbie Almabis, you’d really find this song cute.

7. Parang Tayo Pero Hindi - Angeline Quinto and Michael Pangilinan

I skipped this song at first when I listened to it because I thought Angeline’s opening part is unwelcoming. Haha. But as I played the song over and over again, it has grown on me. It has become an instant OPM duet classic. At least for me.

6. Diamante - Morissette Amon

My initial reactions were “Cheesy! Jej! “Darna Theme Song ata to”! and many other comments I shared with some people who commented on Youtube. But just like most of them who didn’t have a choice but to listen to it since it’s part of the album, a lot of people realized that Morissette has a very big career ahead of her. That lung power. Her low notes are getting more commendable every time she sings. I only wished there’s a lyrics at the bridge and not just the annoying ohh-oohh-ohhh (lol) but a good song, nonetheless.

5. O Pag-Ibig - Ylona Garcia featuring Bailey May

I can’t believe I am saying this now. HAHAHA. This is the best uptempo song I have heard by far in OPM this year. I already judged this song even before I heard it because I felt like this whole Bailona involvement in Himig Handog will just for attracting audience. But one would find it hard to admit that this song, no matter how cheesy the lyrics are (“nakakakaba, nakakaaliw, nakakakilig, nakakabaliw”, is addictive in various proportions.

4. Nyebe – Kaye Cal

No one believes that Nyebe is not sung by a man not unless they know who  Kaye Cal is. This is song is in this spot because the song is giving us early OPM bands vibes of early 2010’s. And it’s so good. Notice Kaye’s falsetto shifts and rifts in the chorus. Everyone who plays the guitar would surely want to sing this. Perfect for jamming and acoustic sessions. (Just please don’t stretch the rap part, I don’t like that.)

3. Maghihintay Ako – Jona

Let’s pretend we didn’t expect much from a known powerhouse vocalist that is Jonalyn Viray. Good thing she was given this song to interpret. I am a fan (if that ain’t obvious by now) but the placement of “Maghihintay Ako” in this list is very much justifiable. It wouldn’t sound as soulful if this was given to other artists. This song has a tendency to be bland but with Jonalyn’s way of singing it, it gets stuck in the head.

2. Monumento - Kyla and Kris Lawrence

My official wake up and walk-to-the-office song! Jungee Marcelo, writer of this song also wrote Zia Quizon’s “Ako Na Lang Sana”, Daniel Padilla’s “Nasa’yo Na Ang Lahat” and several other familiar hits. He also made Kyla win in PhilPop 2014 with Salbabida which he penned. His best skill is infusing amazing beats, sometimes Hiphop and folksy blend to his songs. This is why he stands out. No wonder why Monumento may win this year. It has all the ingredients of a song that could do well internationally. And partida, we haven’t even discussed how Kyla and Kris Lawrence make this song come alive every single time.

1. Sana'y Tumibok Muli – Klarisse de Guzman

I don’t how to express how much I love and hate this song. I love it because for a very rare instance, I approved it why Sarah G picked Klarisse over Morissette way back The Voice Season 1. I love it because Klarisse and this song, among all other combos of song and singer, set the bar high in defining what “song interpretation” means. I love it because I believe all other singers and songwriters in this year’s Himig Handog got scared when they first listened to the finished product.

I hate this song because this makes me feel so sad even if I am happy. HAHAHA. And that’s not entirely a bad thing! I feel that when I listen to Sara Bareilles’ “Gravity”, Adele’s “Someone Like You” and Alex & Sierra’s “Little Do You Know”. I hate it because lately, when I want to write something deep I just listen to this and I come up with something emotional. This is another saksak-sa-puso song I never expected to go up my personal all-time favorite playlist. I’d like to blame songwriter and the tune but Klarisse, oh dear Klarisse, I’d listen a million times to you if you sing more songs like this.

Medyo OA na. LOL

Whoever wins this Saturday, April 24, let us continue supporting our own local music! 

Mabuhay ang musikang Pilipino!

#PPOP2016 #himighandog

xxx

Norby