MNL48 officially enters the fray on the last week of the Himig Handog 2018 competition by performing live on ABS-CBN’s Sunday musical-variety show, ASAP last Sunday, October 21. Sheena Belarmino, Krystal Brimmer and MNL48 wowed the audience while singing their entry “Dalawang Pag-ibig Niya” live on the ASAP stage.
MNL48 Center Girl Sheki felt overwhelmed that they were chosen to interpret the song considering that many people are dreaming to become part of the competition. “Sobrang saya po na napabilang kami sa Himig Handog, nagulat nalang po kami na sa dinami-dami ng pwedeng interpreters, napili kami. Ngayon ang dami na po naming achievements, parang after ng first single sunod-sunod na po ‘yung mga blessings.”
“Hindi po ganun kadali maging part nuon kasi sobrang dami ng mga entries, pero isa po kami sa mga binigyan ng pagkakataon ng Star Music. Nakakatuwa na may opportunity din na makipag-collaborate po kami sa ibang artists,” she added.
Although it was a bit surprising for Sheki that she was chosen to do the rap part in their song, she shared that it was a dream come true and hopes to further enhance her newly-discovered talent. “Masaya po ako kasi dati po talaga dream ko ‘yun, gusto ko po talaga ma-try lahat kasi po diba nag sing and dance po ako, sabi ko gusto ko total package. Tapos ‘yun, dinidinig ni Lord ang panalangin ko.”
Moreover, the girls believe that they were able to give meaning to Bernard Reforsado’s “Dalawang Pagibig Niya” on their performance since it is about teenage love and admiration. “Talagang makaka-relate po ‘yung mga millennial, siyempre natural po sakanila ‘yung magkagusto and magka-crush.”
The Himig Handog 2018 grand winner will be determined by panel of judges such as the country’s pop rock superstar Ms. Yeng Constantino, World class singer Mr. Jed Madela, one of the most in-demand DJs of MOR 101.9 DJ Toni, Multi-awarded song writer and producer Mr. Jungee Marcelo, and ASAP’s very own creative manager Mr. Dido Camara.
The 9th Himig Handog, with a theme “Love Songs and Love Stories”, also include other interpreters namely Eumee for “Hati Na Lang Tayo Sakanya”, BoybandPH for “Para Sa Tabi”, JM de Guzman for “Sa Mga Bituin Na Lang Ibubulong”, Jonalyn Viray for “Tinatapos Ko Na”, Agsunta for “Wakasan”, Sam Mangubat for “Wala Kang Alam”, Maris Racal for “Sugarol”, Janine Berdin for “Mas Mabuti Pa”, and Angeline Quinto with Kritiko for “Kababata”.
Himig Handog is a multimedia OPM song writing competition where every year, thousands of composers around the country send their entries to Star Music, ABS-CBN’s recording company. Chosen entries will be sung by selected Kapamilya singers and artists.
