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Manila Bulletin devider Entertainment devider Music and Concerts devider AUDIOJUNKIE: Hopia, mani, popcorn and more

AUDIOJUNKIE: Hopia, mani, popcorn and more

Published Jun 13, 2026 12:01 pm

I’m back. Not that you noticed I was away, anyhow, but I’m back to doing what I do best. While I’m gathering my thoughts, let me just say that I appreciate all your kind thoughts and well wishes while I was recovering from my little bout with dissection and all that jazz.

Now that’s out of the way, what’s new?

Thankfully, we have Spotify’s New Music Friday Philippines giving us the update: I Belong to the Zoo puts us on tenterhooks to dry with his epic sounding new single called "Limot"; Hoping against hope in "Kaya Ko Pala" with Astro featuring Gloc-9; playing with 80s dance hooks with John Roa on "Tayo Nalang Ulit"; and more of Kenaniah’s spacey, 80s riffing on a chord style on "Ganun Pa Rin" definitely puts us up to speed with what is happening.

But what is this creeping up the playlist? A cover of "Pangako" by Magnus Haven? Very recognizable, but different. Come to think of it, I am familiar with this one. This is part of "Hopia Mani Popcorn 3" from Viva Records, which was designed to be an all covers compilation release, but, you know, updated with "a band sound."

Which is exactly what the deal is on this one, and the addition of Magnus Haven on this playlist certainly puts this album into consideration. They have also spared us from the heavy ballad sound, which is saying something. At least in the song breaks, one could imagine that this is a different tune. But what else could we expect from this release?

Checking it out, we can see a couple of favorites here.

Opening the album is "Wag Na Init Ulo Baby," wherein Healy After Dark gets to pick this song up slowly and evenly and put it in the blender. Midnight Talking dazzles on "Posible" and looks ready to take on Rivermaya’s place.

Cuatro takes on the latest, offering "I Need You More Today," a solo by Caleb Santos, a whirl into modern rock.

UDD draws up some sweet 90s vibes with a cover of South Border’s "Losin’ My Mind," with the help of Bea Lorenzo on vocals. Bea and UDD, and those beats, almost give this R&B number a house treatment. Likewise, band on the comeback Soapdish truly updates "Bakit Iniwan Na," giving the traditionally slow ballad a nice get up and go vibe, counter to Freestyle and Jinky Vidal’s original slow ballad treatment.

Speaking of love songs, Mayonnaise gets to turn an Agot Isidro song, "Sa Isip Ko," into one of their go getters, where Monti gets to blast the chorus "sa isip ko’y yakap ka pa" with wanton abandon.

The Juans come roaring back with another Ogie Alcasid song in "Pangarap Ko Ang Ibigin Ka," which puts this band’s existence into question. Are we a pop artist or are we a cover band? Guess we will have to find out next time.

It’s a good listen if you are the type who likes to hear updated versions of songs every now and then. If so, this is the album for you to check out.

***

Better late than never.
Tonight, June 13, music lovers will get the chance to experience some magic at Newport Performing Arts Theater. Titled "Ngayon at Kailanman: The Music of George Canseco," directed by Frank Mamaril and music directed by Louie Ocampo, it will feature foremost interpreters including Basil Valdez, Kuh Ledesma, Dulce, Leah Navarro, and Anthony Castelo. Also earning the privilege of singing Canseco’s works are Jona, Rita Daniela, and Mark Bautista. George Canseco’s hits include "Paano Ba Mangarap," "Dito Ba," "Ako Ang Nagsawi, Ako Ang Nagwagi," "Kailangan Kita," and "Kaibigan," among many others.

Related Tags

Hopia Mani Popcorn 3 UDD x Bea Lorenzo Healy After Dark Magnus Haven
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