Camomot songwriting festival goes national

While the cause for sainthood of the late Cebuano Archbishop Teofilo Camomot is advancing, proponents have stepped up on their efforts in propagating his virtuous life and heroic deeds by making the songwriting festival in his honor into a national compet

"The purpose is to reach the islands beyond Cebu to make known to many the life of Archbishop Camomot," Father Mhar Balili, vice postulator for the cause of Camomot's canonization, said in an interview with The FREEMAN.

Last October, organizers detailed the mechanics for the second run of the festival and eventually opened the submission of entries to all professional and amateur composers nationwide.

One salient requirement is for the lyric of the song pieces to focus on or reflect on the life of Camomot.

Project coordinators are now screening the entries after submission was closed on November 30.

The entries will be narrowed down to 12 finalists whose songs will be performed during the grand finals to be held next year at the Daughters of St. Teresa Motherhouse in Barangay Valladolid, Carcar City set for March 3, Camomot's birth date.

The songwriting festival is an initiative of the Cebu Archdiocese along with the Daughters of Saint Teresa, the congregation which Camomot founded.

Balili said that the main goal of the festival is to make people aware of the life and sanctity of Camomot who is known for his humility and generosity for the poor.

The first staging of the event earlier this year only accepted entries within the Cebu archdiocese and it was not even a contest but more of an "offering" to Camomot, said Balili.

For this first nationwide festival, organizers are offering P100,000 for the grand prize winner, with P75,000 for the second prize winner and P50,000 for the third prize winner. The performer chosen as "Best Interpreter" will receive P10,000.

Non-winners will be given P20,000 each.

He said the songwriting event may also encourage more people to visit the convent which houses the remains of Camomot and the museum built in his honor.

Before December, Balili revealed the decree of validity from the Congregation for the Causes of Saints in Rome that signifies the approval to the diocesan process of the cause of Camomot's canonization. The diocesan inquiry elaborates on the life and virtues as well as the account of the holiness of Camomot.