The ASOP (A Song of Praise) Music Festival is an annual music festival held in Metro Manila, Philippines. Basically a songwriting competition, it is the only gospel music television program in the country. An original concept of Bro. Eli Soriano and Daniel Razon aiming to bring back praise songs to the public, it started in 2004 as a music competition inside the Members Church of God International but was later opened to the general public in 2011. The music festival also discourages rap and metal music entries.
The program airs weekly on UNTV every Sunday night holding weekly and monthly eliminations. The show is hosted by Toni Rose Gayda and balladeer Richard Reynoso. For the first 6 years (2012–2017), the Grand Finals were held in Smart Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City. Starting in 2018, the Finals are held in nearby New Frontier Theater, Quezon City. Since 2015, entries that won from the monthly eliminations of November of the current year to October of the following year are included in the Grand Finals Night.
On its third year, the multi-awarded Filipino actor and film director, Cesar Montano and Filipina actress, Lilet joined the competition with their compositions entitled Pagpupuring Walang Hanggan (Eternal Praise), and You Are Lord of All, respectively.
ASOP Music Festival was crowned the Best Talent Search Program of the 29th PMPC Star Awards for Television. As announced by Daniel Razon on the Year 7 Grand Finals, starting Year 8, the cash prize will be â±800,000 for the champion, and a yearly increment of â±100,000 will be added to the grand prize.
NOTE: Tagalog song titles presented in this table are provided with English translations.
The ASOP Year 7 Grand Finals night was held at the New Frontier Theater, Cubao, Quezon City on November 11, 2018, and had its simultaneous TV premiere at UNTV and online premiere at Youtube on December 30, 2018.
"Tugtog", a song entry composed by John Paul Salazar and interpreted by Bradz was named as the grand champion among 12 finalists. Blind composer Jeffrey Lim won the special award Bro. Eli Soriano's Choice for the song "Hiling", while LJ Manzano's "Banal Mong Salita" bagged the People's Choice Award. Cello Nuñez was hailed as the Best Interpreter.
Wish 107.5 products The Wishfuls performed at the event.
After the Grand Finals, "Banal Mong Salita" was used as the soundtrack of Ang Dating Daan's 38th anniversary short film "Banal Na Salita" (Holy Word).
Special Awards:
The eighth year of competition included entries from November 2018 to October 2019 episodes. As announced during the Year 7 Grand Finals, the grand prize for Year 8 is raised from â±500,000 to â±800,000.
The ASOP Year 8 Grand Finals night was held at the New Frontier Theater, Cubao, Quezon City on November 10, 2019.
"Sa 'Di Mabilang Na Tala", a song entry composed by Carlo David and interpreted by Gidget Dela Llana, was named as the grand champion among 12 finalists, and also bagged the People's Choice Award. David became the first and only two-time winner in the program's history.
Ethan Loukas was hailed as the Best Interpreter, while Bro. Eli Soriano's Choice are the regulars of the show, hosts Richard Reynoso and Toni Rose Gayda, and resident judge Mon Del Rosario.
Wish 107.5 Wishcovery winners Princess Sevillena, Rhea Basco, Tawag ng Tanghalan finalist Violeta Bayawa, Plethora, Ace Bartolome and Carmela Ariola of The Wishfuls, Jason Dy, Leah Patricio, and Bradz performed at the event.
Special Awards:
The ASOP 2012 commemorative album is awarded as Inspirational Album of the Year in the 5th PMPC Star Awards for Music in Manila, Philippines.