11-year-old girl rules Cebu Pop music tilt

Eleven-year-old Genevieve Abuloc grabbed the top prize of P150,000 and trophy as Grand Champion of the 27th Cebu Popular Music Festival with her song against abortion last Friday night at the New Cebu Coliseum.

Abuloc, who hails from Sagbayan, Bohol, where she is a grade five student, bested 11 other contestants with her rendition of "Bakho sa Anghel".

Composer Frederick Villarojo and lyricist Gweendolyn Suico-Villarojo explained the song is a message against abortion.

"Matag adlaw diin yano ra nga gipakuha sa mga inahan ang ilang gisabak maoy nakapadasig niya pagsuwat sa maong kanta, pamasin nga sa iyang simple nga paagi makapadayag siya og mensahe unsa ka bililhon ang kinabuhi," Villarojo said.

Abuloc, who was wearing a white dress and had flowers in her hair to simulate an angel's halo, hugged the Villarojos after she was announced the winner.

The second-prize winner was the song interpreted by Robert Bernadas and composed by Denis Martin, the "Sugbuanon Ako" who brings home P100,000 and a trophy. The third place went to "Kalandrakas" which was composed by Norman Jabonero and interpreted by the Nagkadaiya. They brought home P100,000.

Bernadas won as best interpreter.

The "Lihok Kabataan" won as the texter's choice receiving the P5,000 and a plaque, it was interpreted by the Sandy Rhey Gomez.

The festival, now on its 27th year, is a project of the Cebu Arts Foundation Incorporated headed by Cebu 1st district Rep. Eduardo Gullas.

Gullas explained in his speech that the festival has opened doors and given opportunities to budding and aspiring artists, composers, arrangers and singers who, through the contest, were able to carve a name for themselves in both local and international music industry.

The contest, held in January of each year coinciding with the feast of Senor Sto. Niño, has become a cultural event that every music-loving Cebuano looks forward to. - Garry B. Lao/BRP