Filipino songwriter and executive leader Elzar “Dodjie” Simon, known for his popular tunes like “Ikaw Lamang,” Kung Alam Mo Lang,” “Can Find No Reason” and “Isang Dugo, Isang Lahi, Isang Musika,” is set to bring the world spotlight to Philippine music.
Simon has submitted his latest album, “Best of All (The Music of Dodjie Simon),” into consideration for the 69th Annual Grammy Awards.
"Participating in the Grammy consideration process is a privilege that allows us to demonstrate how Philippine songwriting, choral arranging and vocal performance hold a rightful place on the global recording stage," Simon, who is now based in Los Angeles, told ABS-CBN News in an e-mail interview.
Dodjie SimonHe produced and personally funded the “Best of All” album without any thought of awards or recognition. “I created it simply because I have a deep love for choral music and wanted to make a meaningful and enduring contribution to the rich tradition of Philippine choral music,” Simon said.
“What makes the journey even more meaningful is that the album was actually submitted for Grammy consideration by a dear friend who believed in the music and saw something in the project that I had never set out to pursue for myself. The decision to put the album – and two of its songs – forward for consideration was both unexpected and deeply humbling.
“For me, ‘Best of All’ was never about winning an award. It was about creating music that would last, honoring Filipino artistry and leaving something beautiful behind for future generations.”
Released last August 11, the seven-track collection of Original Pilipino Music (OPM) showcases four-part vocal arrangements and qualifies under the Recording Academy’s 2027 award cycle.
The album and two featured singles have been submitted across four distinct Grammy categories: Best Global Music Album for “Best of All,” Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical for “Best of All,” Best Arrangement, Instruments and Vocals for "Ikaw Lamang" and Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella for "Kulang ang Paleta."
The songs are a convergence of Simon’s musical mastery. Produced alongside acclaimed choral conductor Joel Navarro, “Best of All” brings together a stellar cast of Philippine music figures and four accomplished vocalists, including Moy Ortiz of The CompanY, Nica Tupas, Bianca Lopez-Aguila and Joshua Cadeliña.
A central highlight is "Kulang Ang Paleta," a historic and “dream” songwriting collaboration featuring a melody by National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab, Tagalog lyrics by Simon and a four-part a cappella arrangement by Navarro.
The album celebrates the richness and beauty of Filipino music and also includes "Ikaw Lamang," an updated rendition of Simon’s classic OPM anthem accompanied by cellist Francisco Llorin and oboist Japs Bautista.
The technical production was helmed by recording engineer Martin Andrew Guevara and Grammy-winning mastering engineer Jett Galindo, with keyboard contributions from Marvin Querido.
“Best of All” is a showcase of Filipino songwriting, vocal artistry and contemporary choral arrangement.
The first-round voting will be from October 12 to October 22. Nominees will be announced by November 16. The 69th annual Grammy awards will be on February 7, 2027 in Los Angeles, California.
Simon is now based in Southern California. “I, together with my family, left the Philippines in 2006 to serve as global chief information officer for a British shipping and port company in Sydney, Australia, before eventually making the United States our home,” Simon disclosed.
“My family and I moved to the United States in 2008 from Sydney, Australia,” he said. He currently serves as a senior director of information technology at a major research university on the East Coast.
He has also been making more frequent trips to the Philippines in recent years. During a November 2025 visit to Manila, he spearheaded a concert that raised funds for the University of the Philippines’ student mental well-being program, featuring performances by several UP-based choirs and the Philippine Madrigal Singers.
Beyond his professional work and music, he and his family have ventured into entrepreneurship. They own and operate Manila Inasal, a Filipino restaurant in Los Angeles, as well as a beverage company specializing in canned iced tea.
"These ventures have given us another meaningful way to celebrate our Filipino heritage, connect with our community and share a part of our culture with others,” he said.
Simon is undoubtedly proud of the album and the artists who are in it.
“I am deeply grateful and humbled for the extraordinary artistry brought together in ‘Best of All’ album,” he said.
“Best of All’ is, to me, much more than an album project. It is a collective expression of the talent, passion and artistry of an extraordinary group of Filipino musicians and music professionals and I feel privileged to have been part of bringing their work.”
