In its quest to promote Mindanao pop music, MinPop launched a series of songwriting bootcamps, the first of which was held last June 15, 2019 at Muzic’skool in Davao City.
The event marked a major milestone for the local music movement, as it brought together songwriters in the Davao region to guide them in crafting new music. MinPopo Bootcamp Davao participants received tips and advice from some of the songwriting movers and shakers in this part of the country.
Mindanao Bootcamp Davao Speakers Share Tips, Techniques, and Experiences
Philpop 2018 grand winner Chud Festejo kicked off the Davao leg of the Minpop bootcamp series with his topic on how to start and make a song stand out through an idea.
In session 2, Mindanao Music Community spokesperson Eamarie Gilayo dished out ingenious tips on writing creative lyrics by using metaphors and analogies.
Later in the afternoon, participants received inspiration from Festejo and Himig Handog 2018 grand winner Kyle Raphael Borbon as they shared their experiences in preparing for and eventually winning in major national songwriting competitions.
Jude Gitamondoc Offers All-Out Support for MinPop
Furthermore, prolific songwriter and record producer Jude Gitamondoc of Vispop and Bisaya Music Festival fame pointed out the importance of hyperlocalizing music in Mindanao. During his talk, he emphasized the idea that OPM does not need to have one sound, because each region has its own flavor and culture that will eventually come out through the music.
In keeping with MinPop’s vision and mission, the songwriter behind such hits as “Hahahahasula” and “Pero Atik Ra” encouraged the participants to write songs that will change the public perception of Mindanao. “Not a lot of people know that I’m actually a Mindanaoan. Natawo ko sa Mangagoy, Bislig, Surigao del Sur,” Gitamondoc said in an interview.
Furthermore, Gitamondoc expressed his support and appreciation for MinPop, particularly in the potential growth of the community. “I can just imagine how much talent there is in Mindanao that’s waiting to be discovered, waiting to be heard. So I’m really looking forward to MinPop, and I know it’s going to be a success.”
A Small Step in the Right Direction
Throughout the duration of MinPop Bootcamp Davao, participants were divided into smaller groups, each of which had to make an original song. The groups performed their new music during the closing program of the bootcamp.
“Nabantayan nako na ang mga participants, they were so intuitive in their questions. They know exactly what to ask, what to look into. From the activities and the songs that they wrote, you can see really the potential that Mindanao has to offer,” Gitamondoc added.
Although the event seemed like a small activity, MinPop Bootcamp Davao proved to be a significant step towards positioning Mindanao as a globally recognized pop music generator. This is aligned with the movement’s objectives to encourage the creation of new radio-friendly music by Mindanaoans, equip songwriters in making pop music, and elevate Mindanao music onto the world stage.
The MinPop steering committee is hopeful that the songwriting community in Mindanao is more than ready to bring local pop music to the next level. “Grabe ang mga talents sa mga local musicians nato diri, ug kabalo mi nga daghan pa sa tibuok Mindanao,” Festejo mentioned.
Gilayo, who is also part of the MinPop steering committee, expressed the collective voice of the movement in terms of the importance of community. “Sa tanang Mindanaoan songwriters, pangapil mo (sa MinPop) because we really need songwriters who could change the perception of the people outside Mindanao. We have so much to say about MinPop, but we need you guys to make it all happen.”
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About MinPop
MinPop was born out of a growing community of singers, musicians, songwriters, arrangers, and producers who either come from or reside in the various regions of Mindanao. As original Filipino music is beginning to gain traction in the global stage, more Mindanaoans desire to take part in this movement.
The term “MinPop” has been used in different ways and forms, with varying purposes and directions. The goal is to unify the use of the term as a movement to showcase Mindanao pop music.
MinPop is powered by Muzic’sKool in partnership with Mindanao Music Community.
Read more about the local music movement in this page.
