Daniel Padilla, Julie Anne San Jose, Yeng Constantino and Abra Named OPM Young Ambassadors

The Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mang-aawit (OPM) has tapped Daniel Padilla, Julie Anne San Jose, Yeng Constantino and rapper Abra (Raymond Abracosa) as their newest "junior ambassadors" in promoting local music to the youth.

Expected to assist OPM in its promoting activities, these four young artists were chosen not only with their huge fan bases but also because of their accomplishments at this stage in their respective careers.

Yeng Constantino, the oldest of the four at 24 is the very first champion of Pinoy Dream Academy and has released several successful albums and has composed hit OPM songs. Just recently, she was named as music ambassador of Singapore's Academy of Rock.

Daniel Padilla has also released two platinum records and topbilled a sold-out major concert at the Araneta Coliseum last April 30. Another young singer who's very successful in her career is Julie Anne San Jose. The Kapuso artist's debut album recently reached quadruple platinum and her fans' presence in the social media circle is totally undeniable.

Meanwhile, rapper Abra created waves with his music and lyricism. His hit music video Gayuma has already reached more than 22 million views in YouTube and his recent single Ilusyon is also taking off.

OPM President Ogie Alcasid said that the local music scene needs the help of these artist to encourage the youth and make them identify with OPM in this age that foreign music (especially Korean songs) are taking over.

"We’re trying our best to push original Filipino music forward, and we recognize the importance of reaching out to the youth. We want to build a strong connection with them. We appreciate the fact that they [Daniel, Julie Anne, Yeng and Abra] willingly gave us their endorsement. We need their help," Ogie Alcasid told Inquirer in a phone interview on Tuesday.

Daniel Padilla, Abra, Julie Anne San Jose and Yeng Constantino will be formally awarded the OPM junior ambassador title on June 7 at the Pagcor Grand Theater.

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Himig Handog P-Pop Love Songs 12 Finalists Unveiled; Grace Lee to Replace Shalani in Wiltime Bigtime

Star Records has released the 12 finalists of the Himig Handog P-Pop Love Songs, the country's premiere songwriting competition.

Now on it's 5th year and the third for love songs, Himig Handog paves the way for amateur and professional Filipino songwriters, here and abroad, to showcase their exceptional flair for creating beautiful music in any popular music genre or a fusion of known genres.

Here are the 12 finalists of this year's Himig Handog P-Pop Love Songs:

Song Title	Composer(s)
Alaala	Ma. Fe Mechenette G. Tianga, Melvin Huervana and Joel O. Jabat Jr.
Anong Nangyari Sa Ating Dalawa?	Jovinor Tan
Hanggang Wakas	Soc Villanueva
If You Ever Changed Your Mind	Marion Aunor
Kahit Na	Julius Jame de Belen
Nasa Iyo Na Ang Lahat	Gideon Marcelo
One Day	Agatha Obar Morallos
Pwede Bang Ako Na Lang Ulit?	Jeffrey M. Cifra
Sana’y Magbalik	Arman Villarta Alferez
Scared To Death	Domingo Cubelo Rosco Jr.
Tamang Panahon	Wynn Andrada
This Song Is For You	Jude Thaddeus M. Gitamondoc

*****

Host Grace Lee is set to replace Shalani Soledad in TV-5's primetime variety show Wil Time Bigtime, Ricky Lo of The Philippine Star reported on Friday. Grace Lee will have her Wil Time Bigtime debut Saturday, November 17.

Aside from the chance of co-hosting a show with Willie Revillame, Grace Lee and Shalani Soledad have another thing in common, that is being both romantically involved to President Benigno Aquino III. Shalani had been in a relationship with PNoy for almost two years while Grace Lee also dated the President for a couple of months.

Shalani Soledad (now Mrs. Roman Romulo) leaves Wil Time Bigtime to pursue her plans of running for Congress in the 2013 midterm elections under the administration-led Liberal Party-Nacionalista Party, Nationalist People’s Coalition.

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'Himig Handog' Songwriting Tilt is Back!

Himig Handog, the country’s premiere songwriting competition returns to the music scene this year to once again discover talented composers whose works are set to be the next OPM classics.

Now on its 5th year, Himig Handog paves the way for amateur and professional Filipino songwriters, here and abroad, to showcase their exceptional flair for creating beautiful music in any popular music genre or a fusion of known genres.

Start writing your love songs now for "Himig Handog 2012"

Himig Handog is Philippines’ first interactive multimedia songwriting tilt launched by ABS-CBN in 2000 originally to pay tribute to the overseas Filipino workers.  It was then called Himig Handog sa Bayaning Pilipino. In its second year, it celebrated youth power through JAM: Himig Handog sa Makabagong Kabataan 2001. Then for the third and fourth tilts in 2002 and 2003, it opened its doors for the romantic lyricists in Himig Handog Love Songs.

Interested composers can now start preparing for their possible love song entries as the official announcement of Himig Handog 2012 contest mechanics draws near.

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