International choral festival in Manila
Manila Broadcasting Co. (MBC) will partner with Germany-based Interkultur — organizers of the recently concluded World Choir Games in Cincinatti, Ohio — and the Philippine Choral Directors Association in mounting an international choral festival in Manila in December 2013. Preparing for what will be called “Sing & Joy Manila” as a follow-up to a scene-setting competition in Austria to be called “Sing & Joy Vienna,” Asia’s largest radio network has launched this year’s MBC National Choral Competition, aiming to scour the countryside anew to determine the country’s representatives to the prestigious choral derby, envisioned to attract the best vocal ensembles from around the world.  
MBC’s national search, now on its sixth year as part of the network’s pre-Christmas activities, features competitions for children’s choirs and an open category for schools, churches, residential communities, companies, government agencies and special interest groups. The grand prize winner in the children’s choir category will receive P100,000 while the champion in the open category takes home P150,000. Interested provincial participants should contact 89.7 Hot FM Cauayan (078 260-0019), 95.1 Love Radio Baguio (074 620-0550), 98.3 Love Radio Dagupan (075 522-9803), 97.5 Love Radio Iloilo (033 509-8095), 91.5 Hot FM Cebu (032 401-0262),  90.7 Love Radio Davao (082 305-3971), or 99.1 Love Radio Naga (054 698-7538). Choirs who wish to audition in Manila should contact 0909-323302636 or e-mail siouxstar@gmail.com.

Engineer’s song is People’s Choice
An engineer’s song expressing his reservations about approaching a long-lost sweetheart proved resonant to mobile subscribers, who voted it the Smart People’s Choice in James Leyte, an engineer, who composed the song “Brown” — referring to the color of his ex-girlfriend’s hair — garnered the highest number of text votes among 14 entries during the two-week voting period for the Smart People’s Choice Award of the first Philippine Popular Music Festival. He received P200,000 and a trophy by renowned sculptor Ramon Orlina during awarding ceremonies held on July 14 at the Philippine International Convention Center.
Ryan Cayabyab, executive director of the PhilPop Music Foundation which organized the songwriting competition, said Brown’s distinctive rhythm helped it connect with voters. “Keep writing songs that talk about your unique personal experiences. Keep them simple, sincere, and easy to sing. It is time for OPM to level up,” he said.