Quezon City (September 9, 2013) – The crowd favorite and heart-felt ‘Ikaw’, a song of praise composed by Boy Christopher Ramos Jr., bested 12 finalists to earn the “Song of the Year” award in ASOP TV Music Festival Grand Finals of 2013, marking an eventual sweep of the night’s top prizes after its singer, Jonalyn Viray was given the “Best Interpreter” award.

Photo by: Rovic Balunsay / Photoville International

Ramos is a multi-awarded professional composer. Viray, on the other hand, is a Pinoy Pop Superstar grand champion and 2006 WCOPA gold medalist. Ramos and Viray took home P500,000 and P50,000, respectively.

The grand finals was held at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City on September 9 this year.

Meanwhile, RJ Jimenez’s “I Am Grateful” was declared first-runner up while Christian Obar ‘s “Lagi Kang Nariyan” earned second-runner up. Paul Hildawa’s “You’ll See Miracles” was third runner up. Each of the runners-up receives P250,000, P150,000, and P100,000 for first, second and third runner up placers, respectively.

Judging of winners was based on text voting from the public and judges’ scores.

Photo by: Rovic Balunsay / Photoville International

Among this year’s board of judges include CCP President and concert pianist Raul Sunico, world-renowned musical stage actor and director Audie Gemora, and veteran film and television personality and comedian, Joey De Leon.

Other judges include former Star Records executive Anabelle Regalado-Borja, Universal Records General Manager Kathleen Dy-Go, veteran composer and vocalist Snaffu Rigor, and multi-awarded composer and record producer Dr. Mon Del Rosario.

Photo by: Rovic Balunsay / Photoville International

ASOP TV Music Festival was launched in 2011 by Daniel Razon, Chairman and CEO of Breakthrough and Milestones Production International, through UNTV-37.

Also known as Kuya Daniel, the broadcast journalist related the show emerged following Bro. Eli Soriano’s suggestion to launch ASOP as a television program in hopes of encouraging amateur and professional composers to write songs of praises to God.

The difference of A Song of Praise (ASOP) Music Festival of the Members Church of God International with ASOP TV is that the former accepts submissions exclusive from its Church members, and it is also held twice a year. ASOP TV holds a weekly elimination and monthly finals until all 12 monthly finalists are completed.

Photo by: Rovic Balunsay / Photoville International

As the only major Philippine songwriting competition which focuses on songs of praises to God, ASOP TV Music Festival is also the most generous with more than P1-Million cash prizes for the winning entries. – Ryan Borja