Smart Araneta Coliseum — Noemi Ocio, a 19-year-old college scholar, made history as the youngest composer to win song of the year at the ASOP Music Festival on Monday, November 7 for writing “Kumapit Ka Lang”, a tune that gives hope to those who experience heavy challenges in life.

Interpreted by up-and-coming singer Mela, the grand prize winner comes with a P500,000 cash prize.

“Thanks be to God, for all who supported me. I am just 19 years old and I did not expect this. I also extend my thanks to Bro. Eli and Bro. Daniel,” Ocio said after accepting her award on the stage of the Big Dome.

She also shared her message to young composers. “I am encouraging all, especially the youth, to create songs dedicated to God because we cannot do anything that can repay everything He has done for us, but through songs for the Almighty.”

Other Big Winners of the Night

The other big winners include Bugoy Drilon and Jason Fernandez, who shared the Best Interpreter Award, another first in the history of ASOP Music Festival when male singers scooped this prize. Both winners received P50,000.

Drilon interpreted “God Will Make a Way” while Fernandez performed the pop rock entry “You Stood by Me”. The latter grand finalist shared the third-runner up trophy with “Mula sa Aking Puso” performed by Carlo David. Both winners received P100,000 cash prize.

First-runner up award, which came with P250,000 cash prize, was “God Will Make a Way” while the second-runner up winner was “Araw at Ulan”, performed by Sitti during the grand musical evening. The second-runner up cash prize is P150,000.

“Ikaw Lamang” was hailed the “People’s Choice Award,” bringing home P50,000.

All non-winning grand finalists each received P20,000 cash prize.

Jampacked Crowd

The fifth edition of ASOP Music Festival Grand Finals Night had another historic, jampacked crowd at the Big Dome.

The over 15,000 attending the grand finals night witnessed the performance of the twelve new praise songs composed by amateur and professional singers, which were interpreted by local artists, including Bugoy Drilon, Sitti, Zendee, Kris Lawrence, Tim Pavino, Jason Fernandez, The Voysing, JBK, and Ms Ima Castro.

Judges for the grand finals night included Ms. Nora Aunor, Mon Del Rosario, Jed Madela, Trina Belamide, Jonathan Manalo, and Isah Red.

Richard Reynoso and Toni Rose Gayda hosted the show.

All 12 finalists opened the night with a special number, while other special performances were done by 4th Impact, Michael Pangilinan, Liezel Garcia, Leah Patricio, and Jason Dy.

Big Plans, Next Level for ASOP Fest

Conceptualized by UNTV-BMPI Chairman and CEO, Daniel Razon, the premiere praise music festival aims to encourage amateur and professional songwriters to submit their original praise song compositions while heightening awareness about the importance of praising the Almighty God through music.

Also known as Kuya Daniel, the veteran broadcast journalist bared plans for the songwriting tilt to take it to the international stage.

“We will be taking ASOP to its next level, which means … we will be going international,” said Kuya Daniel. “So with God’s help, we will bring ASOP Music Festival’s weekly and monthly finals in different countries.”

Running for half a decade now on UNTV, ASOP is the first ever praise songwriting competition in the Philippines.

Written by: Ryan G. Borja and John Kenneth Jaramilla