Filipino workers in Kuwait now have a chance to turn their experiences abroad into an original song.
“Himig ng Bayani: The OFW Songwriting Competition” celebrates the talent, sacrifices, dreams, and family stories of overseas Filipino workers.
The competition was announced through the official pages of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration and OWWA Overseas Welfare Office in Kuwait.
Contents
Songs Must Tell a “Buhay OFW” Story
Entries must follow the theme “Buhay OFW.”
Songs may focus on the hope, courage, sacrifice, love, and daily struggles experienced by Filipinos working away from home.
Each composition must be an original pop or ballad song lasting three to five minutes.
Lyrics may be written in Filipino, English, or a combination of both languages.
An entry may have one or two composers and one or two official interpreters. A composer may also perform the song.
Who Can Send an Entry?
The competition is open to OFWs in Kuwait and their qualified dependents.
Participants must have active OWWA membership from the time the entry is submitted until the grand finals.
Entries have been accepted since August 2, 2026. The deadline is October 15, 2026.
Applicants should review the full qualifications before preparing their files, especially the membership and residency requirements stated in the official mechanics.
AI-Written Songs Are Not Accepted
Submitted songs must be newly created and must not have been released before.
The composition must not have appeared in another contest or been uploaded to social media, streaming services, or other digital platforms.
Organizers also prohibit the use of artificial intelligence to create the lyrics or melody. A song found to be AI-generated may be disqualified.
This rule means participants must submit work created through their own writing and musical ability.
Prepare a Demo and Complete Lyrics
Applicants must provide an MP3 demo containing a live-recorded vocal performance of the original song.
They must also submit the complete lyrics in PDF, JPEG, or PNG format.
During the final round, selected performers may use a solo acoustic guitar, solo piano, or backing track. Live-band accompaniment, lip-syncing, and pre-recorded lead vocals are not allowed.
Interested participants can read the full mechanics and send their requirements through the official Himig ng Bayani entry form.