When your song reached the 100 million mark in video views and digital music streams in this most difficult 2020, that’s really great news and it’s a major feat. The horizon looks bright.

StarPop record label head and hit-making songwriter Rox Santos has all the reasons to feel hopeful in the coming year as his composition “Hanggang Kailan” performed by Michael Pangilinan reached such a milestone. That's the cherry on top.

His latest hits included, among others, “Hanggang Dito Na Lang” (sung by Jaya) which was used as the main theme song for the ABS-CBN Koreanovela “I Have A Lover.” The track won the Best Ballad category at the Awit Awards 2019, after tallying a combined 35M views and streams.

Another track worth noting is the timely “Corona Ba Bye Na” by Vice Ganda which he co-wrote with the prolific Jonathan Manalo and the comedian himself.

"2021 looks hopeful and somehow a real blessing that the industry has fully transitioned to digital before the pandemic happened," said the triumphant Rox, "There have been a lot of adjustments made here and there, but the music industry has survived the pandemic. There’s nowhere to go but to progress and grow in 2021 moving forward."

Lately he co-penned with Trisha Denise the number “Liliwanag” which they dedicated to all ABS-CBN employees affected by the infamous shutdown last summer. He also co-wrote with Dan Tanedo the Star Cinema movie main theme for “Four Sisters Before The Wedding” called “Maligaya Ang Buhay” and performed by Inigo Pascual.

As producer, Rox had been widely cited as well, with his work for the Himig Handog grand winner “Mabagal” by Daniel Padilla & Moira Dela Torre bagging both the Awit Awards’ People’s Choice Award and Favorite Record of the Year, along with two other recognitions.

Further back in 2018, he won the Awit Best-Selling Album of the Year for “Jona” (Jonalyn Viray) and Album Of The Year for KZ Tandingan’s “Soul Supremacy.”

The highly achieving music executive is now at the helm of StarPop, a sub-label of ABS-CBN Music for young, talented artists with Gen-Z and millennial following. With his knack for the mainstream and what’s in, he is by far the perfect fit for the post.

Under his guidance, the label has been producing certified hits like MayMay Entrata’s “Kakayanin Kaya” and Jem Macatuno’s “Can’t Get Out.” Both songs have combined YouTube views and Spotify streams of 27 and 22 million, respectively. Seth Fedelin’s “Kahit Na Anong Sabihin Ng Iba, used as main theme for “Hello Strangers” and Wilbert Ross’ “Maaari Ba” are two other deserving hits.

On the viral front, Kim Chiu’s “Bawal Lumabas,” with more than 50 million clicks across YouTube, Facebook, and Spotify will forever be associated with the wide community quarantine in effect since March. JM Bales, KIKX, and KVN’s “Magandang Dilag,” on the other hand, amassed 205M Tiktok views. Jamill’s “Tayo Hanggang Dulo” also went viral, and so was Ivana Alawi’s “Sana All” which gave the popular expression its song equivalent.

Half of ABSCBN Music’s Top 16 most watched YouTube videos this 2020 came from StarPop. “Maari Ba” music video and “Can’t Get Out” lyric video both garnered more than eight million views. The other six songs are “Kung Ako Na Lang Sana” (Justin Vasquez), “Kahit Anong Sabihin Ng Iba,” “Payapa” (Anfdrea Brillantes), “Pangako (Kyle Echarri), and “Pag-ibig” (Franchie Diaz).

Never one to forget who helped him reach this far, the multi-awarded industry figure is grateful to his ABS-CBN Music bosses Roxy Liquigan and Jonathan Manalo for the support and trust given him. He shared, "I will always be grateful for the opportunity given to me by ABS-CBN music. In line with our company’s aim to always be of service to the Filipino people, expect the Star Pop label to continuously give world-class quality entertainment through more music releases in the coming years."

StarPop artist roster for 2021 are as follows: Ana Ramsey, Bugoy, Chill Guys, Edward, Elisse Joson, Heaven Paralejo, Idolls, Ivana Alawi, Jeremy G., Kakai, Kim Chiu, KD Estrada, Klarisse, Kokoy De Santos, Kyle Echarri, Lance Busa, Loisa Andalio, Lukas Magallano, MayMay, Patrick Quiroz, PJ Endrinal, Rayt Carreon, Vance Larena, Vivoree, and Star Hunt.