The lyricist and composer of "Awit ni Dodong"

Awit ni Dodong

i

tuguting akong buntugon

ang kabangis sa panahon

bisan kalimot motabon

ikaw kanunayng handumon

ii

buhi ang imong saluma

ug dila ug kinaiya

bantayog sa akong gugma

hinaot wa mag-inusara

chorus

laoming ikaw akong tipigan

sa kinauyokan ni’ning dughan

matag pitik ikaw pasidunggan

halaran sa tanang kadaogan

iii

hagawhaw ning kasingkasing

molambo ug manalingsing

molipang binhing giluyong

sa mga bangaw motupong

coda

ikaw ang pako sa mga damgo

nipakayab sa bug-os pagtuo

childhood dream fulfilled for one, a final legacy for the other. When our region’s first musically-themed cultural heritage gallery, the Jose “Dodong” R. Gullas (JRG) Halad Museum, finally holds its much-awaited launch this Monday, June 13, one of the exciting highlights will be the unveiling of the Halad Theme Song Contest’s winning entry titled “Awit ni Dodong.”

Apart from Halad Museum’s founder Dodong Gullas who dedicates the structure to his parents Don Vicente and Inday Pining Gullas, no other person will be happier than Cebuano tri-media personality and The FREEMAN opinion columnist Leo Lastimosa. He is the lyricist behind the romantic theme song that speaks of “a man’s serenade to a beloved, singing his fears of losing her as well as vows to take care of her.”

More than a man crooning to a woman he dearly loves, the lyrics are said to be also “very much reflective of the purpose of the Halad museum, which stands to represent the founder’s intention to preserve and honor Cebuano musical heritage.”

Unknown to many, Lastimosa had long dreamed of penning a song since he was a child, but he never found the confidence to do so as he was unable to read musical notes. What makes his first successful foray at songwriting even more remarkable for him is the fact that the chosen melody composer who bested contest participants both here and abroad, is no less than Cebuano musical icon Emilio Villareal, more fondly called Maestro Mil among peers, students and colleagues.

Maestro Mil, who hails from Boljoon town, has long cemented his place in Visayan history for his famous compositions such as “Bisan sa Damgo Lang,” “Bulawan sa Lapok,” “Veronica,” “Hain Na?” and “Hinumdomi… Mohilak Ka Usab.” He was also one of Halad 2010’s honorees for his remarkable contributions to Cebuano music.

Now at a golden age of 91, Maestro Mil made use of a brief Cebu vacation after years of residing in Canada with his family, to pen one last composition that only a genius like him could create. This is his final gift to Cebuano culture and arts.

A harana of Cebuano songs popularized by Minggoy Lopez, Maning Velez, Ben Zubiri and more will be performed by the multi-awarded UV Chorale, the Mutya Orchestra, and Cebu’s very own, Pilita Corrales on June 13 at the Halad Museum. Finale of the harana will be the unveiling of “Awit ni Dodong.”