Himig Handog, the worldwide search for the best OPM love song, invites aspiring Filipino songwriters to send their entries and get the chance to be 2018’s finalists who will vie for the highly coveted Best Song recognition.

Now on its 9th year, the ABS-CBN and Star Music project highlights “Love Songs and Love Stories” as the theme of the much-awaited competition, which ran in 2000 to 2003 and was revived a decade later. This year, Himig Handog continues to discover Filipino talents that may later become key contributors in the OPM scene.

Out of almost 7,000 submitted entries last year, Libertine Amistoso’s “Titibo-Tibo” earned the Himig Handog 2017 Best Song. It also became a huge hit that helped catapult Moira dela Torre into one of today’s hottest artists.

Over the years, many Himig Handog entries have become huge successes – as radio stations and music channels’ chart-toppers, theme songs of television shows and films, and TV and radio commercial jingles.

Songwriters from the competition have also been given their breaks, such as Himig Handog 2001 grand winner Jonathan Manalo (“Tara Tena”) who has become a multi-awarded composer, music producer, and now heads Star Music’s audio content.

Many then new artists who interpreted the songs of Himig Handog have also made their own mark in the music scene today. Aside from Moira, included in Himig Handog’s Top 15 Hall of Fame since 2013 are KZ Tandingan for Edwin Marollano’s “Mahal Ko O Mahal Ako” and Domingo Rosco Jr’s “Scared to Death,” Daniel Padilla for Jungee Marcelo’s “Nasa Iyo Na Ang Lahat” and MJ Magno’s “Simpleng Tulad Mo,” and Janella Salvador for Bobbie Mabilog’s “Mahal Kita Pero.”

Other hitmakers are Michael Pangilinan for Joven Tan’s “Pare Mahal Mo Raw Ako,” Ylona Garcia and Baily May for Jack Rufo and Yani Rabe’s “O Pag-ibig,” Morissette for Kiko Salazar’s “Akin Ka Na Lang,” and Bugoy Drilon for Jeff Cifra’s “Pwede Bang Ako Na Lang Ulit.”

Seasoned artists who gave outstanding Himig Handog interpretation are also part of the Himig Handog Hall of Fame: Jona for Dante Bantatua’s “Maghihintay Ako,” Toni Gonzaga for Jumbo de Leon’s “Kahit Na,” Jovit Baldivino for Ato Arman’s “Sana’y Magbalik,” Barbie Almalbis for Nica del Rosario’s “Ambon,” and Ice Seguerra for the big hit “Ano’ng Nangyari Sa Ating Dalawa,” also by Joven Tan.

Interested songwriters may submit their entries at himighandog.abs-cbn.com until July 31 (Tuesday).