Young songwriters win at 43rd Cebu Pop

CEBU, Philippines — The promising entries of the 43rd Cebu Popular Music Festival offered a glimpse into the future of Cebuano pop music as junior contenders took home all the trophies during the event held on January 17 at the University of the Visayas Main Gymnasium.

This was best exemplified in the Young Songwriter Category, an addition to this year’s competition that highlighted emerging talents alongside the Love Song Category, a staple since its inception in 1981.

Sam Costanilla, who co-hosted the tilt with Apple Abarquez, explained to The FREEMAN, “We always come up with new categories each year to keep things exciting and to maintain the audience’s interest, along with the [classic] Love Song Category.”

“The Love Song Category has always been the feature of every Cebu Pop Music edition as mandated by the Cebu Arts Foundation Inc. and the competition’s founder Eddie Gullas,” Costanilla added.

Winning the Young Songwriter Category was “Sobra Ra, Sobra Na”, a poignant track about a one-sided relationship. It was composed by Eunice Lasola and Charles Laspinas, with lyrics by Karl Otida and Lasola, arrangement by Laspinas, and performed by Janeen Ugang.

“Growing up, I saw my mother struggle with her emotional needs that were not met, and the lyrics just flowed because I learned from her the value of empathy,” Lasola shared.

“These are heavy lyrics for a 17-year-old girl like me to sing,” Ugang admitted. “But when I am on stage, I become the character, and I feel the lyrics because there are people who live through this. I need to give justice to the song and make the team behind it proud.”

Laspinas expressed his gratitude for the competition’s focus on younger talents. “We are given the chance for people to hear our music and we are grateful for the opportunity to dedicate this to the Blessed Child Señor Sto. Niño,” he said.

Winning in the Love Song Category was “Ikaduha”, an upbeat track about discovering self-worth after being the second choice in a relationship. This was composed and written by Paul Rosa with arrangement by Neil Salarda.

“Ikaduha” was performed by Jan Francis Alinsonorin, Jovie Loon, and Dave Alcano – all of whom Rosa discovered and deemed the perfect trio to interpret the song after seeing them in the Blind Auditions round of The Voice Generations on GMA as Amazing JDF.

“I created this song knowing there are people who can relate to its message,” said Rosa. “I am happy the interpreters did it justice and I am so proud of them.”

Other awardees were singer Mary Therese Jade Damos who won Best Interpreter for her performance of “Tama Na, Ayaw Ako Pahilaka” from the Love Song Category. Composed by Fr. Lyndon Ruiz and arranged by Nendel Endrina, the emotional track reflects on the rarity of marriage.

The song’s message resonated with Damos. “I’m so happy I sang this because I can identify with the lyrics. This is for everyone who has felt heartbreak at some point,” she shared.

Best Lyric Video was awarded to “Batan-ong Sugboanon” from the Young Songwriter Category. The piece was composed by Nicholas Ygot Yu, with lyrics by Jennifer Milloria Ygot, arrangement by Frenyx Tarongoy, and interpretation by Klarylle May Dumancas.

The rest of the entries in the Young Songwriter Category included “Ikaw Ra Man”, “Ikaw ang Pangandoy”, “Sugdan Ta”, and “Payag”.  The Love Song Category also featured the compositions “Char-Char Lang Una Ta”, “Ikaw Ra”, “Gugma Ngano Ba”, and “Dili Ko Ka Move On.”

All tracks from the competition are available for streaming on digital music platforms such as YouTube Music and Spotify under the album “43rd Cebu Popular Music Festival (A Tribute to Señor Sto. Niño).”

Founded by Eduardo R. Gullas when he was governor of Cebu and organized by the New Cebu Arts Foundation Inc., Cebu Pop was created as an offering to Sto. Niño de Cebu in celebration of his feast day. — (FREEMAN)