Bugoy Drilon felt privileged to be part of the country’s biggest multimedia songwriting competition “Himig Handog P-pop Love Songs: Mga Awit at Kwento ng Pusong Pilipino.” Over 2,500 original compositions from Pinoy songwriters worldwide were submitted to Star Records and Bugoy was lucky to be chosen as one of the interpreters of the entries that got short-listed. “Nung una pa lang na maraming nag-submit pinapakinggan ko na yung entry nila. Pumupunta kasi ako sa website ng Star Records. Hindi ko alam na magiging part ako ng album. Hindi ko alam na kasama ako kaya nagulat na lang ako nung binigay sa akin yung isang kanta,” he happily shared in an interview with ABS-CBN.com.

Bugoy interpreted the song “Pwede Bang Ako Na Lang Ulit” composed by Jeffrey Cira of Bacoor Cavite. It was a perfect piece for the former Pinoy Dream Academy finalist whose distinct singing voice gave him an edge over the competition. Bugoy added that he had the chance to meet Jeffrey who was, in turn, grateful to him. “Yes, ‘di naman talaga kami ang [main dito] kundi yung new generation of composers na matutulungan namin. Nag-thank you siya na ako kumanta ng kanta niya. Sila (composers) naman pumili kung sino gusto nilang kanta. I’m so happy ako napili niya.”

When asked to give advice to aspiring songwriters/singers, Bugoy said that it’s important to dream big and work hard for what they really want. “Ipagpatuloy niya (Jeffrey) pag-compose niya. Actually, he can sing din. Ipagpatuloy mo pag-compose ng kanta kasi malay mo yun ang magbigay ng daan para ma-achieve niya yung dreams niya. Thankful din ako na ako mag-interpret ng kanta niya. Big chance din for me kasi maganda naman yung entry niya. At the same time challenge din na mabigyan ng justice yung work ng composer.”

Joining the Himig Handog contest is truly an achievement for it not only popularized OPM hits such as “Bye Bye Na” (composed by Ted Reyes/Jeff Antiporda and performed by Rico Blanco in 2003) and “This Guy’s In Love With You Pare” (Composed by Michael Angelo Villegas/Allan Feliciano and performed by Chito Miranda in 2002); but it also launched musical careers, like Star Records producer Jonathan Manalo who was part of the Himig Handog competition back in 2001. Jonathan’s entry “Tara Tena,” performed by Kyla and Kaya with V3, was awarded the grand prize at the time.

In the meantime, Bugoy is looking forward to start working on his fourth album. Given the chance, he would like to try out something new and collaborate with Gloc-9 for one of his tracks. “Gusto ko rin combination ng rap and R&B para maiba naman yung timpla ng kanta.”