On December 1, Star Pop Head Roque ‘Rox’ Santos and ABS-CBN Music Creative Director Jonathan Manalo encouraged aspiring composers to send them their songs.
During the media event for Janah Zaplan’s ‘Pasko’y Nagbabalik’ at the Academy of Rock, Quezon City, which LionhearTV covered, Santos highlighted how ABS-CBN looks for the new breed of composers.
“Oo naman yes, actually kami sa ABS-CBN Music, we encourage song writers, young song writers na magbigay ng songs sa amin. Very ano kami diyan, kilalang-kilala din ang ABS-CBN sa pag-discover ng mga new breed ng mga composer and music producer.
“So ayan kami, every now and then mayroon talagang nagbibigay, nag-eemail sa amin mismo, sa ABS-CBN Music, na talagang pinakikinggan namin lahat. Kasi diyan, sa mga songs na binibigay nila, diyan mo makikita eh, na posibleng maging hit song. So very open kami for that.”
He also encouraged young songwriters to reach out to them via social media.
“Kaya ine-encourage ko ‘yung mga songwriters at mga music producers na pwede kaming i-approach.
“Ako sa socials ko, sa mga interviews kasi sinasabi ko na kapag may nga songs na pwede silang isubmit, pwede nilang i-message sa akin, sa Facebook, pwede ring sa X, di ba sa Twitter, or sa IG.”
Manalo also highlighted the upcoming Himig Handog competition.
“Pwede rin silang mag send sa social media ng ABS-CBN tsaka ng Star Music. Actually, maraming mga submissions na pinapadala nila sa message center ng ABS and we listen to those songs. And siyempre, every year mayroon tayong Himig Handog.
“We get to discover new song writers everytime. Katulad nga nitong PhilPop, mayroon nanaman tayong ilau-launch na labing dalawang songwriters na nagqualify sa finals. And nakaka-excite ‘yun kasi lahat mga bagong songwriters.”
Santos disclosed that they go through every submission in the songwriting competition and reach out to composers they saw potential with, even those who did not land the Himig Handog finalists spot.
“Di ba sa Himig Handog, di ba every year ‘yun, usually ang pinipili lang usually is 10 to 12 songs. Pero kami, sa ABS-CBN Music team, ‘yung mga songs na ‘yun, talagang pinakikinggan namin lahat, pumasok siya o hindi, tapos kapag maganda or may potential, kino-contact na namin ‘yung mga songwriters na ‘yun.”
As for Zaplan’s Christmas-themed single, the Kapamilya singer released ‘Pasko’y Nagbabalik’ under Star Pop.
Zaplan’s ‘Pasko’y Nagbabalik’ is available on various streaming platforms. Her fans may follow Star Pop on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok for more details about the artist and her latest single.
