Kasadya, Matud Nila to receive Jose R. Gullas awards

Famous Cebuano songs Kasadya Ning Taknaa by Vicente Rubi and Mariano Vestil and Matud Nila by Ben Zubiri will be the recipients of the first Jose R. Gullas Awards, which will be given on February 28, 6 p.m. at the Casino Español de Cebu.

Former Cebu first district Congressman Jose "Dodong" R. Gullas, the chairman of The Freeman and Banat News and the Executive Vice President of the University of the Visayas, will be giving awards to Cebuanos who have made significant contributions to the community and have "attained the pinnacle of achievement."

The Jose R. Gullas Awards, which will be given every two years, is done in coordination with The Freeman, Banat News and ABS-CBN's DYAB.

Rubi, and Vestil, the composer and lyricist respectively of the Cebuano Christmas carol Kasadya Ning Taknaa, will be receiving the award for the song, which has been translated to different dialects over the years and is sung during the Yuletide season all over the country.

Zubiri, meanwhile, will receive the award for the song Matud Nila, which has gained national fame through various interpretations including that of Asia's Queen of Songs Pilita Corales.

The awarding ceremonies on February 28 will be aired live over DYAB at 8 p.m. so that Cebuanos will be able to listen to brilliant Cebuano music that have gained national acclaim and have been sung through the years.