After winning song “Titibo-tibo” put the focus on the LGBT community last year, Himig Handog 2018 has an entry that touches on rape. The Himig Handog 2018 songwriters and interpreters It goes by the harmless title “Kababata” written by John Michael Edixon a.k.a. Kritiko, a rising hip hop artist starting to build a presence online. At the press presentation of the songwriters and song interpreters held recently, he said the rap song is not true to life and he was just inspired to write it after hearing several news items on the subject. Star Music audio content head Jonathan Manalo ensured with the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) guidelines that the subject of the song won’t compromise its chances to get air time. Himig Handog 2018 has been the preeminent songwriting competition in the Philippines for several years now. At first it dabbled in different themes (heroism, youth empowerment), until it settled on love songs. As the musical landscape changed with millennials becoming the moving force in the market, most of the submissions that make the cut are “hugot” songs or with specific stories that skip the universal, albeit generic lyrics. Exactly 10 songs have been chosen this year from over 5,000 entries sent by Filipinos from all over the Philippines and abroad. Manalo said they change adjudicators regularly so that every pool is determined by different musical preferences. “Your Face Sounds Familiar Kids” season 2 contestants Krystal Brimner and Sheena Belarmino, together with the all-female idol group MNL 48, will perform “Dalawang Pag-ibig Niya” by Bernard Reforsado of Albay. “TNT” singer Eumee will interpret “Hati Na Lang Tayo Sa Kanya” by Joseph Santiago of Quezon City. R&B singer Kyla returns for the fourth time as Himig Handog interpreter. She does the singing part on “Kababata.” “Mas Mabuti Pa,” composed by Mhonver Lopez and Joanna Concepcion of Laguna, will be interpreted by this year’s “Tawag Ng Tanghalan” grand champion Janine Berdin. BoybandPH, meanwhile, will perform “Para Sa Tabi,” a composition sent by Robert William Pereña all the way from Dubai. Star Music head Roxy Liquigan (left) and Star Music audio content head Jonathan Manalo “Araw Gabi” lead actor JM de Guzman will sing the composition of Davaoeño Kyle Raphael Borbon entitled “Sa Mga Bituin Na Lang Ibubulong.” “Sugarol,” composed by Jan Sabili of Muntinlupa City, will be performed by Star Pop artist Maris Racal. Jona also returns to Himig Handog as interpreter for the third consecutive year, this time for the entry “Tinatapos Ko Na” composed by Sarah Jane Gandia from USA. “Wakasan” by Philip Arvin Jarilla of Antipolo will be performed by OPM band Agsunta, while “Wala Kang Alam,” written by Martin John Arellano of Manila and Mel Magno of Pampanga, will be interpreted by Sam Mangubat. Himig Handog 2018 will be awarding R1 million to the grand prize winner, while R500,000 will be brought home by the 2nd Best Song. The composers of the 3rd, 4th, and 5th Best Songs will receive R200,000, R150,000, and R100,000, respectively. The winners will be announced on Nov. 25. Past winners of Himig Handog: “Si Ka Bayani” (2000) “Tara Tena” (2001) “Kung Ako Na Lang Sana” (2002) “Kailan Kita Mamahalin (2003) “Anong Nangyari Sa Ating Dalawa?” (2013) “Mahal Ko O Mahal Ako” (2014) “Dalawang Letra” (2016) “Titibo-Tibo” (2017)