Successful 1ST songwriting contest
SUCCESSFUL. It was a very fitting musical way to bid 2016 adieu. Despite the short period of preparation, Team Martin Productions and
Soundtraxx Production Studio were able to put up the very first Pasko sa Sugbo Original Daygon Songwriting Contest last Dec. 30 at SM Seaside City. It was a very successful event participated in by six choral groups with the Los Cantantes de Cebu winning the grand prize of P30,000 and a very nice trophy.
IMPRESSIVE. Of course, the five other choral groups also did their best but Los Cantantes de Cebu impressed the judges, led by Prof. Obette del Rosario, for their delightful performance as a group of carolers. Their winning piece titled
Pasko Na was composed by Joseph Barulo while Niño James Bañares did the musical and vocal arrangement.
OTHERS. Picked as second placer was the Hardy Bigcas composition titled Ate ug Kuya,
Mamasko Ra Mi as interpreted by the C3 Choir. Neil Salarda was its musical arranger while Julyone Sacay was vocal arranger. The third spot was won by Jade Castro’s composition titled
Pasko Na Karon and interpreted by the Ozsome Friends. Russel Alegado and Jundel Bacalso
were the musical arranger and vocal arranger, respectively.
BEGINNING. That competition was just the beginning of what I hope will become a yearly presentation. I commend the Martins of Pardo, especially Dennis, the composer of the family, for initiating the daygon songwriting competition. Credit also goes to Gani and Gloria Villarojo, Bea Daitol, Roland Villarosa and show director Eli Manlangit for a job well done. The ever lovely Vida Doriza Lim Reya and yours truly were tasked to emcee the historic competition.
MUSICAL. There’s an upcoming musical that we should not miss. Wizard of Oz: Live in
Cebu will be staged from Feb. 17 to 19 at SM City Cebu. Composer Jade Castro told me that Ozsome Friends will be part of the musical. For more on this, like and follow the Facebook page Wizard of Oz: Live in Cebu and official Twitter account @ozincebu. COMPETITIONS. Tonight is the fourth night of the week-long Sinulog Idol singing competition at the Fuente Osmeña circle stage. It is now on its eighth season as one of the events within the Sinulog festival period. Its grand championship is this Thursday. Then on Friday, the yearly Cebu Popular Music Festival will be staged at the International Eucharistic Congress Pavilion, per decision of the Cebu Arts Foundation Inc., chaired by Talisay City Mayor Eduardo Gullas. The Cebu Coliseum had been home to this songwriting contest but starting this year, the IEC Pavilion will be its new home, a much better and more presentable venue. (For comments, text cellphone no. 0932-277-8771.)