The unique and refreshing sound of Dan Tañedo’s “Mabagal” emerged as the Best Song in this year’s edition of ABS-CBN’S Himig Handog songwriting competition.

The slow but soothing duet track, interpreted by Daniel Padilla and Moira Dela Torre, bested over 4,000 entries and took home the much-desired P1 million cash prize.

Dan said he initially doubted whether he could make a song infused with a standard sound especially in the wake of pop music’s popularity. “Ang hirap magkaroon ng standard song sa ganitong panahon, iba yung uso ngayon eh, parang panahon yun ng ’50s. Pero buti naging reality yung in-envision ko (It is difficult to produce a standard song in these times as music trend nowadays is different. I wanted a ‘50s feel and what I envisioned became a reality),” he said.

“Mabagal” also swept the competition’s special awards by winning the MOR Philippines’ Choice award, the MYX Choice for Best Music Video award, Star Music’s Choice for Best Produced Track and the Listener’s Choice for Most Streamed Track. Daniel and Moira were also One Music PH’s Choice for Favorite Interpreters.

Meanwhile, Davey Langit, winner of Himig Handog 2016 for his song “Dalawang Letra,” won again this year for his entry “Simula ng Dulo.” The singer-songwriter co-wrote the song with his girlfriend Therese Marie Villarante and bagged half a million cash prize.

From one past winner to another, “Please Lang,” a song by Aikee and interpreted by Alex Gonzaga, was named as the 3rd Best Song, winning P200,000. Aikee also placed 3rd in 2017’s Himig Handog for his song “Ekstensyon.”

Another pair of young composers, Rex Torremoro and Elmar Jann Bolaño, won 4th Best Song for their entry “Nung Tayo Pa,” brought to life by Janella Salvador. They took home a cash prize worth P150,000.

Seventeen-year-olds Jerome Arcangel and Cee Jay Del Rosario took home P100,000 for bagging the 5th Best Song for their composition “Panandalian,” interpreted by TJ Monterde, about a romance cut short.

The Himig Handog 2019 winners were announced on the “ASAP Natin ‘To” stage last Sunday (October 13). “Mabagal” and the rest of the song finalists can be streamed in all online streaming platforms. Watch the Himig Handog 2019 music videos on ABS-CBN Star Music’s YouTube channel.

FULL LIST OF WINNERS:

BEST SONG – “Mabagal,” composed by Dan Tañedo, interpreted by Daniel Padilla and Moira Dela Torre

2ND BEST SONG – “Simula ng Dulo,” composed by Davey Langit and Therese Marie Villarante, interpreted by Davey Langit

3RD BEST SONG – “Please Lang,” composed by Aikee Aplacador, interpreted by Alex Gonzaga

4TH BEST SONG – “Nung Tayo Pa,” composed by Rex Torremoro and Elmar Jann Bolaño, interpreted by Janella Salvador

5TH BEST SONG – “Panandalian,” composed by Jerome Arcangel and Cee Jay Del Rosario, interpreted by TJ Monterde.

SPECIAL AWARDS:

MOR PHILIPPINES’ CHOICE AWARDS – “Mabagal,” composed by Dan Tañedo, interpreted by Daniel Padilla and Moira Dela Torre

MYX CHOICE FOR BEST MUSIC VIDEO – “Mabagal,” composed by Dan Tañedo, interpreted by Daniel Padilla and Moira Dela Torre

ONE MUSIC PH’S CHOICE FOR FAVORITE INTERPRETER – Daniel Padilla and Moira Dela Torre for “Mabagal,” composed by Dan Tañedo

STAR MUSIC’S CHOICE FOR BEST PRODUCED TRACK – “Mabagal,” composed by Dan Tañedo, interpreted by Daniel Padilla and Moira Dela Torre

LISTENER’S CHOICE FOR MOST STREAMED TRACK – “Mabagal,” composed by Dan Tañedo, interpreted by Daniel Padilla and Moira Dela Torre.