Angeline says she was reluctant to join this time. “Kasi noong una akong sumali, natalo yung kanta,” she says. “Nahiya ako roon sa composer at inisip kong baka dahil sa akin kaya natalo. So sabi ko, ayoko nang sumali uli. Kaya lang, ako raw talaga ang choice ni Michael Barnuevo for his song, so bakit ko naman ipagdadamot yung boses ko para sa kanta niya.”
This is also Michael’s second time to join Himig Handog. The first time was when he sang “Pare, Mahal Mo Raw Ako”. “Nang imbitahin nila uli ako, natuwa ako kasi it means may mabubuo na naman akong bagong pamilya with a new set of friends kasi lahat kaming interpreters and composers here, nagiging close during the contest,” he says. “And it’s an honor for me na maka-duet si Angeline Quinto.”
This year, no less than 7,000 songs were sent to Star Music as entries. “We had to listen to about 400 songs a day during the first elimination,” says Star Music top honcho Roxy Liquigan. “We trimmed it down to 3,000, then to 1,000, 150, then 60, hanggang makuha namin yung top 15 finalists. It’s a tough and painstaking process but we’re very proud of all our entries this year. Wala ka ngang maitatapon. Kung puede lang, panalunin mo na silang lahat.”
Other composers and interpreters in this year’s batch are David Dimaguila’s “Laban Pa” sung KZ and Jay-R, Honlani Rabe and Jack Rufo’s “O Pag-Ibig” sung by Bailey May and Ylona Garcia, Francis Louis Salazar’s "Mananatili” sung by Janella Salvador and Marlo Mortel,Oliver Narag’s “Patay na si Uto” sung by Nyoy Volante, Davey Langit’s “Dalawang Letra” sung by Itchyworms, Aries Salas’ “Nyebe” sung by Kaye Cal, Jungee Marcelo’s “Diamante” sung by Morissette Amon, Hazel Faith dela Cruz’ “Bibitawan Ka” sung by Juris, Jose Joel Mendoza’s “Sana Tumibok Muli” sung by Klarisse de Guzman, Dante Bantatua’s “Maghihintay Ako” sung by Jona), Rolando Azor’s “Minamahal Pa Rin Ako” sung by Daryl Ong, Nica del Rosario’s “Ambon” sung by Barbie Almalbis, and Agatha and Melvin Morallos’ “Tama Lang” sung by Jolina Magdangal.
The Finals will be held at Kia Theatre on April 24, Sunday. The Best Song will get P1M, the second prize wins P500,000. The composers for the third, fourth and fifth Best Songs will bag P200,000; P150,000; and P100,000, respectively. There are also special awards namely, MOR 101.9’s Choice, Onemusic.ph Favorite Interpreter and Star Music Listeners Choice.