The Metro Manila Popular Music Festival (also known as Metropop) was launched by the Popular Music Foundation of the Philippines in 1977 and was held annually from 1978 to 1985. It was "the country's pioneering and once foremost songwriting competition", according to The Philippine Star. Its objective was to promote the advancement of Filipino music, and its chief proponents were journalist Teodoro Valencia and politician Imee Marcos. Over the years, the festival helped launch the careers of many singers and songwriters, among them Freddie Aguilar.
The songwriting competition was originally open to all composers. From the fourth festival onwards, it was divided into professional and amateur sections, to give new songwriters a level playing field without competing with more well-known composers. Radio Philippines Network served as the official broadcast partner for all editions of the song festival. After 1985, the festival was discontinued due to a decline in public interest.
It was later revived as the Metropop Song Festival, which aired on the GMA Network from 1996 to 2003.
Original Metropop (1978–1985) First Metro Manila Popular Music Festival Year Winners Finalists 1978Grand prize: "Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika" Music and lyrics: Ryan Cayabyab Interpreter: Hajji Alejandro
Second prize: "Pagdating Mo" Music and lyrics: Nonoy Gallardo Interpreter: Celeste Legaspi
Third prize: "Narito Ako" Music and lyrics: Nonong Pedero Interpreter: Maricris Bermont
Fourth prize: "Ibig Kong Ibigin Ka" Music and lyrics: Vic Villafuerte, Rolando Tinio Interpreter: Anthony Castelo"Anak" Music and lyrics: Freddie Aguilar Interpreter: Freddie Aguilar
"Ang Dampa sa Gulod" Music and lyrics: Joe Reyes Interpreter: Imelda Papin
"Mahal" Music and lyrics: James Villafuerte Interpreter: Lejan Lopez
"Minsan Pa" Music and lyrics: Jose Mari Chan Interpreter: Janet Basco
"Ngumiti. . . Tumawa. . . Magsaya. . . Kumanta" Music and lyrics: Joe Reyes Interpreter: Cynthia Garcia and the Kabataan
"Pag-ibig, Ano Ka Nga Ba" Music and lyrics: Cecille Marcaida Interpreter: Nick Gonzales
"Pangako" Music and lyrics: Vic Villafuerte, Rolando Tinio Interpreter: Rex Demavivas
"Saan Ako Patutungo" Music and lyrics: Jose Ilacad, Jr., Nannette Inventor Interpreter: Nannette Inventor
"Swerte-swerte Lang" Music and lyrics: Joel Navarro, Rolando Tinio Interpreter: Joel Navarro
"Tayo'y Mga Pinoy" Music and lyrics: Heber Bartolome Interpreter: Judas
"Anak" failed to win any of the prizes but went on to become one of the most popular Philippine pop songs ever and to launch the career of Freddie Aguilar. This was right at the beginning of the Original Pilipino Music (OPM) boom, and after this first festival, the singing careers of Hajji Alejandro, Celeste Legaspi, Maricris Bermont, and Anthony Castelo took off. Heber Bartolome's "Tayo'y Mga Pinoy" became a protest anthem, and Ryan Cayabyab's "Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika" became representative of Original Pilipino Music. Emil Mijares was the musical director for this festival. The first grand finals were held at the Folk Arts Theater; RPN-9 served as the official broadcaster for the inaugural season and the succeeding editions of the festival, until 1985.
Second Metro Manila Popular Music Festival Year Winners Finalists 1979Grand prize: "Bulag, Pipi at Bingi (Isang Pag-aalay)" Music and lyrics: Snaffu Rigor Interpreter: Freddie Aguilar
Second prize: "Ewan" Music and lyrics: Louie Ocampo, Winnie Arrieta Interpreter: Apo Hiking Society
Third prize: "Lupa" Music and lyrics: Charo Unite, Ernie dela Pena Interpreter: Rico J. Puno"Ako ang Nasawi, Ako ang Nagwagi" Music and lyrics: George Canseco Interpreter: Dulce
"Ang Aking Awitin" Music and lyrics: Bong Gabriel Interpreter: Bong Gabriel
"Gusto Kong Umawit" Music and lyrics: Ernie Tagle, Eduardo Mataranas Interpreter: Ernie Tagle
"Itay, Saan Ka Man Naroroon" Music and lyrics: Chito Sibayan Interpreter: Chito Sibayan
"Laging Buhay ang Buhay" Music and lyrics: Celia T. Lising Interpreter: Jacqui Magno
"Laruan" Music and lyrics: Edgar Guerrero Interpreter: Cynthia Patag
"Masdan, Tingnan ang Buhay" Music and lyrics: Ma. Isabella Mijares Interpreter: Malou Evidente
"Panaginip, Pangarap" Music and lyrics: Manuel Perlas Interpreter: God's Ego
"Umagang Kay Ganda" Music and lyrics: Butch Monserrat, Babes Conde, Gryk Ortaleza, Anabelle Lee Interpreter: Tillie Moreno and Ray-An Fuentes
This time, Freddie Aguilar's interpretation of Snaffu Rigor's composition won the grand prize. However, the biggest pop hit to come out of the Second Metropop was "Ewan", by Apo Hiking Society. Rico J. Puno, already a big star at this time, interpreted the third-place song, which also became a hit. The song "Umagang Kay Ganda" failed to place, but it went on to be used as the main theme of ABS-CBN's now-defunct weekday morning show of the same title, and it also became the campaign song for the presidential bid of Bongbong Marcos in 2022.
Third Metro Manila Popular Music Festival Year Winners Finalists 1980Grand prize: "Isang Mundo Isang Awit" Music and lyrics: Nonong Pedero Interpreter: Leah Navarro
Second prize: "Ikaw, Ako, Tayo (Magkakapatid)" Music and lyrics: Jose Lozano Interpreter: New Minstrels
Third prize: "Nandoon Na, Nawala Pa" Music and lyrics:Freddie Lozano Interpreter: Ray-an Fuentes"Buhay Ko'y Mayro'ng Ikaw" Music and lyrics: Felipe Monserrat, Diana Legaspi Interpreter: Pinky de Leon
"Hahanapin Ko" Music and lyrics: Jose Mari Chan, Jimmy D. Santiago Interpreter: Anthony Castelo
"Kailangan Ko, Kailangan Mo" Music and lyrics: Gerry Paraiso Interpreter: Bambi Bonus and Richard Tan
"Langit Mo'y Likha Mo Rin" Music and lyrics: Babes Tolentino Interpreter: Babes Tolentino, Celso Llarina, Mon Gaskell
"Larawan" Music and lyrics: Thomas Santos Interpreter: Joel Navarro
"Mahalaga" Music and lyrics: Louie Ocampo Interpreter: Rene Puno
"Nandoon Na, Nawala Pa" Music and lyrics:Freddie Lozano Interpreter:Ray-an Fuentes
"Nasaan ang Palakpakan" Music and lyrics: Nonoy Gallardo Interpreter: Celeste Legaspi
"Sa Duyan ng Pag-ibig" Music and lyrics: Willy Cruz Interpreter: Passionata
"Sa 'Yong Pag-alis" Music and lyrics: Felipe Monserrat, Jr. Interpreter: Tillie Moreno
Leah Navarro and "Isang Mundo Isang Awit" represented the Philippines and won the bronze prize at that year's Seoul Popular Music Festival. "Ikaw, Ako, Tayo (Magkakapatid)" turned out to be the biggest hit from the Third Metropop.
Fourth Metro Manila Popular Music Festival Year Division Winners Finalists1981 AmateurGrand prize: "Sino Ang Baliw" Music and lyrics: Elizabeth Barcelona Interpreter: Mon Del Rosario Jr.
Second prize: "Kahit Konti" Music and lyrics: Gary Granada Interpreter: Florante
Third prize: "Magsimula Ka" Music and lyrics: Gines Tan Interpreter: Leo Valdez"Aawitin Ko Na Lang" Music and lyrics: Gary Granada Interpreter: Bong Gabriel
"Hatinggabi (Bawa't Pangarap)" Music and lyrics: Conrado Ricafort Interpreter: Boy Camara
"Magkaisa" Music and lyrics: Juan Miguel Salvador Interpreter: Eugene Villaluz
"Pusong "Rock-N-Roll"" Music and lyrics: Felix Chok-Oy Viernes Interpreter: Pabs Dadivas ProfessionalGrand prize: "Babae Ka" Music and lyrics: Ananias Montano Interpreter: Something Special
Second prize: "Buhay/Pag-asa" Music and lyrics: Butch Monserrat, Marilyn Villapando Interpreter: Pol Enriquez
Third prize: "Uhaw Na Lupa" Music and lyrics: Emilio Sanglay Interpreter: Emil Sanglay at Ang Bagong Pen Pen"Ang Buhay Ay Ngayon" Music and lyrics: Benjamin Chua, B.S. Manas Interpreter: Rene Puno
"Insomnia" Music and lyrics: Eduardo Achacoso, Joseph Olfindo Interpreter: Joseph Olfindo
"Landas" Music and lyrics: James Villafuerte Interpreter: Marco Sison
"Mr. Musikero" Music and lyrics: Sonny Nicolas Interpreter: Sonny Nicolas
Established singers like Florante, Eugene Villaluz, Leo Valdez, and Marco Sison interpreted their first Metropop entries. Emil Sanglay Sonny Nicolas were the only performers who interpreted their own songs.
Fifth Metro Manila Popular Music Festival Year Division Winners Finalists1982 AmateurGrand prize: "Kahit La La La" Music and lyrics: Nonoy Tan Interpreter: Subas Herrero and Noel Trinidad
Second prize: "Give Me a Chance" Music and lyrics: Odette Quesada Interpreter: Ric Segreto
Third prize: "Pag-ibig Mo, Pag-ibig Ko" Music and lyrics: Ernesto Mendiola Interpreter: Zander Kahn and Miriam Pantig"Memories" Music and lyrics: Paul Melendez Interpreter: Eileen Espina
"Coming Back" Music and lyrics: Alden Lim and John Joseph Nite Interpreter: Zoey Zuñiga
"Magbabalik Pa Rin Ako" Music and lyrics: Jorge Sison Interpreter: The New Minstrels
"Buhay Nasa Ating Palad" Music and lyrics: Julie Lingan and Butch Monserrat Interpreter: Ray-an Fuentes ProfessionalGrand prize: "Isang Dakot" Music and lyrics: Vehnee Saturno Interpreter: Sonia Singson
Second prize: " (title) " Music and lyrics: Interpreter:
Third prize: " (title) " Music and lyrics: Interpreter: "Don't Deceive Yourself" Music and lyrics: Alfredo Lozano Jr. Interpreter: Susanna Pichay
"Nothing I Want More" Music and lyrics: Jun Latonio and Tillie Moreno Interpreters: Louie Reyes and Eugene Villaluz
"Ang Aking Kubo" Music and lyrics: Gary Granada Interpreter: Florante
"What Are You Doing on a Rainy Sunday Morning" Music and lyrics: Julie Lingan Interpreters: Ivy Violan and Rico J. Puno
"You Made Me Live Again" Music and lyrics: Nonoy Tan Interpreter: Janet Basco
"Magkaibigan, Nagkaibigan" Music and lyrics: Topy Lozano Interpreter: Something Special
"Inay Bakit?" Music and lyrics: Sonny Nicholas Interpreter: Sonny Nicholas
Sixth Metro Manila Popular Music Festival Year Division Winners Finalists1983 AmateurGrand prize: "Pain" Music and lyrics: Alvina Eileen Sy Interpreter: Martin Nievera
Second prize: " (title) " Music and lyrics: Interpreter:
Third prize: " (title) " Music and lyrics: Interpreter: "Laging Mayroong Bukas" Music and lyrics: June Cerino Interpreter: Pat Castillo
"Kahit Ako'y Mahirap" Music and lyrics: Mary Rose del Rosario Interpreter: Mon del Rosario
"My Love, My Soul, My Everything" Music and lyrics: Elizabeth Mendiola Interpreter: Verni Varga
"We're in Love" Music and lyrics: Mario Lapid and Roberto Rodriguez Interpreter: Miriam Pantig
"Habang May Sikat Pa" Music and lyrics: Alex Buenaventura and Menche Soloria Interpreter: The Rainmakers with Millie Beltran
"Still Got Love" Music and lyrics: Alfredo Marbella Interpreter: Labuyo ProfessionalGrand prize: "Till I Met You" Music and lyrics: Odette Quesada Interpreter: Kuh Ledesma
Second prize: "Ako'y Ako" Music and lyrics: Vehnee Saturno Interpreter: Lerma dela Cruz
Third prize: "Gabay Mo Ako" Music and lyrics: Rey Valera Interpreter: Rey Valera"Dapithapon" Music and lyrics: Boy Christopher Interpreter: Idonnah
"Away from You" Music and lyrics: Boy Katindig Interpreter: Jennifer Ramos
"Kagandahan" Music and lyrics: Butch Monserrat and Marilyn Villapando Interpreter: Filipina
"Be My Lady" Music and lyrics: Vehnee Saturno Interpreter: Pedrito Montaire
Seventh Metro Manila Popular Music Festival Year Division Winners Finalists1984 AmateurGrand prize: "A Smile in Your Heart" Music and lyrics: Rene Novelles Interpreter: Jam Morales
Second prize: " (title) " Music and lyrics: Interpreter:
Third prize: "Falling in Love Again" Music and lyrics: Jose Gabriel La Viña Interpreter: Louie Reyes and Eugene Villaluz "Falling in Love Again" Music and lyrics: Jose Gabriel La Vina Interpreter: Louie Reyes and Eugene Villaluz
"Where Did the Heartaches Go" Music and lyrics: Jose La Vina Interpreter: Tillie Moreno
"Let Us Stay the Way We Used to Be" Music and lyrics: Al Lopez and Timmi Li Lopez Interpreter: Al Lopez
"Think It Over" Music and lyrics: Mel Villena and Eleanor Villena Interpreter: Richard Tann and Maraya
"It Used to Be You" Music and lyrics: Renato Buzon Interpreter: Jennifer Ramos
"I Don't Want You" Music and lyrics: Reynaldo Cuerdo