Antipolo singer, composer and performer John Robert (Rob) Angeles of Barangay Mayamot was selected one of 12 finalists to the Philpop Himig Handog Songwriting Festival Grand Finals.

“MHWG” was the song of Angeles who represented the Province of Rizal.

Other finalists and their songs include: Bulacan: Rinz Ruiz – “Papahiram”; Laguna: Francis Contemplacion – “ATM”; Metro Manila: Tiara Cinco – “Wag Paglaruan”; Metro Manila: Kevin Yadao – “Ghostwriter”; Metro Manila: Geca Morales – “Langit Lupa”; Metro Manila: Alvin Serrito – “Kurba”; Bacolod: Shantel Lapatha – “Tulala”; Cebu: Relden Campanilla – “Dili Nalang”; Cebu: Jimmy Grajo – “Salamat (Nga Wala Na Ta)”; Bohol: Keith Quito – “Buhi”; and Davao: Maric Gavino – “Taliwala”.

The project was produced and presented by songwriting institutions PhilPop and Himig Handog. It kicked off with a Digicamp series that is carefully designed to develop the skillset of aspiring participants in the fields of songwriting, music arrangement and recording, branding, marketing, career development, and intellectual property.

Angeles was one of 35 best and brightest talents selected to train in the Digicamp designed to hone the skillset of the fellows in songwriting, music arrangement, recording, and other related fields.

 “We are truly inspired the amount of talent from hundreds. Congratulations! Sobrang gagaling po,” said Roxy Liquigan. ABS-CBN music head.

Twelve were selected to compete in the grand finals of the Philpop and Himig Handog Songwriting Festival.

 “Dapat 10 lang but we decided to make it 12. Ang gagaling kasi talaga ang dami nag-tie,” Liquigan said.

The selection committee narrowed down the demos to 12 after a month.

 “Hinahanap namin sa ABS-CBN music yung kanta na papasok sa puso nating lahat. It is really about touching the hearts the number one criteria for me. Kapag narinig tinamaan ba puso, kinilig, naiyak, naging mas matibay. May naramdaman ba?”

The Philpop Himig Handog Songwriting Festival Grand Finals will be held on the first quarter of 2024.