Winners of the 36th Cebu Pop

CEBU, Philippines - Three original musical compositions about loyalty, poverty and love for Mother Nature bagged the top awards in the 36th Cebu Popular Music Festival Friday night at the Cebu Coliseum.

 This year, the songwriting competition was categorized into three: Love Song, Environmental and Inspirational.

 In the Love Song category, “Awit Ning Gugma,” composed by Ralph Maligro, arranged by Ralph Joey Cabusas and interpreted by Philip Mancol, emerged as the winning piece.

 The song “Manguros Na Lang Tang Daan” triumphed in the Environmental Category. It was interpreted by Jade Castro with her nine-year old niece Jhonel Ishlee Bacalla. The song was arranged by Russel Alegado.

 “Ngano Kaha,” composed by Irene Abadiez Bacus won in the Inspirational category.  Its interpreter, Mariel Minglanilla, was also selected Best Interpreter, taking home P10, 000.

 The three winning composers each received P100, 000, a plaque and an image of Senior Sto. Niño. The non-winners were given P20, 000 each and plaques.

 Minglanilla said she did not expect her victory because it was her first time to interpret a song for the competition. She turned emotional when she performed her winning song again.

 She said the message “Ngano Kaha” is all about the unfairness of life when it comes to poverty, a topic she was able to relate to.

 The composer and lyricist of “Awit Ning Gugma” was not able to attend the event but his girlfriend of three years, Jane Lograño, said the song tackled loyalty to one’s partner despite a long-distance relationship.

 “He already made two songs for me, one of which is “Awit Ning Gugma.’ We are currently in a long-distance relationship because he’s working now as a nurse in Dubai,” she shared.

 Philip Moncol, the interpreter of “Awit sa Gugma,” said he internalized the song and related it to his own experiences. “My girlfriend is just in Cebu, but I was still able to feel the song because I miss my family, since I’m just renting here in Cebu for work,” Moncol said.

 Gerald Decem Castro, the composer and lyricist of “Manguros Nalang Ta Daan” in the Environmental category, said the song talks about how we should love and take care of our planet and that the various calamities should be taken as a warning.

 “A lot of people died during Yolanda because we have not been responsible about taking care of our nature. Global warming is present, that’s why this song would remind us to love and not just be aware, but to also act for a change,” Castro said.

 The other top 12 finalists were “Sama sa Dahong Laya” composed by Angelito Zamora Jr., “Sa Gugma Magdaug” composed by Rad Zamora, and “Ang Atong Gugma” composed by Archimedes Dairocas and Luis Sebastian Rusiana Latigo Rapper for the Love Song category.

 “Diha sa Pulong Mo” composed by Bienvenido Racho, “Gugma Mo” composed by Michaen Ricaborda, and “Kinabuhi Musika” composed by Nathan Philip Amores completed the Inspirational category finalists.

 Other songs in the environmental category were “Asa Ta Punta” composed by Russel Chingkoy Alegado, “Kinaiyahan Matahum” composed by Venice June Sy Corsino and “Isla” by Dennis Martin.

 Performances from guests Selina Sevilla of Calayan Medical Group and Asia’s Queen of Songs, Pilita Corrales held the audience in awe; while Sam Constanilla and ex-Pinoy Dream Academy scholar Apple Abarquez once again hosted the event.

 The annual Cebu Popular Music Festival is organized by the Cebu Arts Foundation, I