Jessa Zaragoza (MNS photo)
The country’s “Phenomenal Diva” Jessa Zaragoza will be interpreting “Bumabalik Ang Nagdaan,” an entry to this year’s Himig Handog P-Pop Love Songs songwriting contest, written by Sarah Jane Gandia.
Jessa will be performing the song live during finals night on Sept. 28, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. And she is nervous.
“I know this is a songwriting composition but people will also expect a lot from the interpreter of the song. So, for me, I really want to give justice to ‘Bumabalik Ang Nagdaan,’ (to) make the composer happy as well as the people listening to it,” shared Jessa.
This is not the first time that Jessa will interpret a song for Himig Handog.
In 2004, She interpreted “Susubukan Kong Muli,” an entry written by Jan Lopez. She didn’t know that she was four months pregnant at the time, and when she found out, she opted to not to sing during the finals.
“I didn’t want to be stressed,” Jessa recalled.
According to Jonathan Manalo of Star Records, it was Arnee Hidalgo who took over Jessa’s role.
Seeing the list of interpreters for this year’s competition added pressure to Jessa, noting how these include some of the country’s best.
Among singers included in the list are Morissette (“Akin Ka Na Lang” by Francis Louis Salazar); Jovit Baldivino (“Dito” by Raizo Brent Chabeldin and Biv De Vera); Ebe Dancel with Abra (“Halik sa Hangin” by David Dimaguila); Angeline Quinto (“Hanggang Kailan” by Jose Joel Mendoza); Juris (“Hindi Wala” by Nica del Rosario); Jed Madela (“If You Don’t Want to Fall” by Jude Gitamondoc); Janella Salvador (“Mahal Kita Pero” by Melchora Mabilog); KZ (“Mahal Ko o Mahal Ako” by Edwin Marollano); Marion Aunor featuring Rizza and Seed (“Pumapag-ibig” by Jungee Marcelo); Daniel Padilla (“Simpleng Tulad Mo” by Meljohn Magno); Bugoy Drilon (“Umiiyak ang Puso” by Rolando Azor); Jugs and Teddy (“Walang Basagan ng Trip” by Eric De Leon); and Michael Pangilinan (“Pare Mahal Mo Raw Ako” by Jovinor Tan). Songwriter-finalist Hazel Faith dela Cruz will sing her own composition, “Everything Takes Time.”
All 13 entries will be included in the “Himig Handog P-Pop Love Songs” compilation CD.
Music videos for the 15 entries, as created by students from the country’s more prestigious universities, will be airing on MYX. (MNS)