Song of lost love wins Cebu Pop Music Fest

CEBU, Philippines - A song of lost love emerged as the grand prize winner of the 31st Cebu Popular Music Festival last Friday night at the Cebu Coliseum.

It was also a big win for Cherry May Fernandez, who interpreted the song Saloma Sa Gugmang Nahanaw (Song of a Lost Love), which was written by Glenn Salve and arranged by Nendel Endrina.

“I share this victory to our Almighty God, our creator for giving me this wonderful blessing as the Best Interpreter and the Grand Prize winner of the 31st Cebu Pop Music Festival for the song Saloma sa Gugmang Nahanaw,” Fernandez said.

Fernandez, who has joined singing contests at the national level, admitted that she felt nervous because it was her first time to join a Visayan contest.

In 2006, Fernandez joined the Philippine Idol but did not make it to the finals.

Fernandez said she was overwhelmed by her victory as she never expected to win Best Interpreter.

“Wala ko magdahom nga makadaog kay akong gipangayo nga tagaan lang ko og presence of mind, focus sa akong performance ug akong matagaan og justice ang song,” Fernandez said.

Aside from taking home the P150,000 grand prize, Fernandez also took home P15,000 as the Best Interpreter.

Fernandez said that she did everything for her family, her fiancé and one-year-old son, to her trainer and to the spectators.

“To my ever-loving family especially to my Papa Nick, Mama Cora, to my elder brothers Kuya Neil and Manoy Jun-Jun, to my loving and ever supportive fiancé Dave Poole, to our little angel Troy who has been my lucky charm, to all of my friends, colleagues and relatives, thanks for all the love, support and prayers. From the bottom of my heart, thank you very much,” Fernandez added.

Another composition by Salve, Pastilan, a Cebuano expression of regret, won the third prize taking home P50,000. The second prize, winning P100,000 went to Eugene Tan, a call center agent, whose song was interpreted by Jay-arr Librando.

Salve has been joining the Cebu Pop Music since 1998. The last time he won the grand prize was in 2006. He said he put much effort into his songs to make them shine.

There were 12 finalists for this year’s music festival Erwin Lirazan, whose song Kilid sa Dalan was performed by Gade Ernest Casinillo; Salve, whose songs Pastilan and Saloma sa Gugmang Nahanaw, were performed by Robert Bernadas and Fernandez, respectively; Eugene Tan, whose songs includes Call Center Agent and Ikaw and Hinungdan, which were performed by Gayle Marie Sinadjan; Jun Alino Cabillar, whose songs includes Gugma Na Ba and Kanus-a Pa Kaha?, which were performed by Ronna Jenn Lofranco and Mark Vincent Seville, respectively; Dennis Martin whose song Wala Nay Lain Pa, performed by Jolaiza Heruela; Norman Jabonero whose song Panahon Ko Na was performed by Lou Diana Calma; Joseph Abella whose song Isad Ta Karon, which were performed by Daryl Shane Leong and Arceli Palacio; Lauro Flores whose song Ug Di Ka Na Gyod Maghilak, was performed by Vanissa Arabis and Russel Alegado whose song Bangon, which was performed by Chelsy Sacaday. 

Before the awarding, each composer also received P15,000.

During the event, Cebuana singer Dulce wept as she sang memorable songs from her humble start as a newbie singer.

Dulce performed popular Cebuano songs, including Iyo Carpio’s Ikaduhang Bathala for Rep. Eduardo Gullas, the chairman and founder of the Cebu Pop Music.

“Luha sa kalipay ug pagpasalamat ni Eddiegul,” Dulce said.

Among the audience Dulce captivated were Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, Provincial Board member Arleigh Sitoy, Msgr. Achilles Dakay and former Cebu City councilor Joy Pesquera.

There were 12 judges for this year’s contest. Regional Trial Court Branch 7 Judge Simeon Dumdum Jr., who is also a poet, served as the chairman of the board of judges.

Dumdum told host Sam Costanilla that the judges did not have a hard time choosing the winners because all of the songs were beautiful.

The annual event is organized by the Cebu Arts Foundation Inc. headed by Gullas. (FREEMAN)