August 21, 2014- PhilPop Musicfest Foundation’s “Songwriting with the Maestro 2014” filled the Finster Auditorium with songwriters, singers, and musicians from Ateneo and other institutions.

The event was the ‘kick-off’ for this year’s PhilPop National Tour. It was the second time Ateneo de Davao University was the host in Davao.

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Ms. Patricia Bermudez-Hizon was the host; she presented the PhilPop’s Mission – to become advocates of Original Pilipino Music (OPM).

She also introduced the Philippine Popular Music Festival – the foundation’s songwriting competition, which encourages every Filipino songwriter to be “Loud and Proud” of their music.

The Maestro, Mr. Ryan Cayabyab, took the stage for the songwriting workshop proper. His talk was based on Sheila Davis’ The Craft of Lyric Writing.

The workshop was spontaneous, and participants were active all throughout the event. Each time the Maestro hits the piano, the crowd goes loco with astonishment.

The Question and Answer Portion had the Maestro joined by three of the 12 finalists of the PhilPop 2014 – Toto Sorioso, Davey Langit, and Chi Bocobo.

The last question was asked by ‘Mel’ from Davao: What advice can you give to those composers who didn’t get the opportunity to be known? How can you encourage them from keep making music?

“Sali lang nang sali,” Toto Sorioso answered.

Chi Bacobo shared a humble advice, saying, “Always be ready for rejection and correction.”

Davey Langit added, “Music is an endless learning process. Learn from everyone.”

“Persistence is the key, try lang nang try,” the Maestro concluded.

CD albums of the 2013 PhilPop Music Festival were given away to participants who shared thoughts and asked questions. The three finalists sang their songs from the PhilPop 2014, and the participants jammed with them.

“Yes, very helpful. Parang na-inspire pa ako kasi nag-cocompose na talaga ako,” a student from the University of the Philippines Mindanao said.

An Atenean, Lorie Ann Metillo, felt overwhelmed in seeing Ryan Cayayab. “Happy ako. Mr. Ryan Cayabyab na yan eh. Ako, singer lang ako pero this event inspires me to try writing [songs],” she expressed.