Music remains Marco Sison’s priority

Who doesn’t know Marco Sison? Either you know him from his Student Canteen days, or because of his hit songs Make Believe, My Love Will See You Through and Si Aida, Si Lorna, o si Fe. One of the quintessential balladeers who started in the ’70s, Marco is still very much in the news these days, especially with the release of a new album that he produced himself.

Marco finds it amusing that up to now, years after those songs were released, people still remember him because of them. Some of them can actually sing the songs back to him whenever he performs them live. “It’s a mixture of na-fla-flatter, natatawa, nagtataka,” says the still youthful-looking singer. “At saka hindi mo masabi na lahat ng mga nag-re-request ng mga kanta na ‘yun, ka-edad namin. Nakakaaliw talaga.” 

What’s more is, they don’t just remember the songs, but they remember him. “Ang suwerte ko kasi hindi ako naiwanan ng kanta. Meron kasing kanta na nagiging classic, pero hindi nila maalala kung sino ang kumanta. Pero ako, suwerte kasi nadikit ‘yung pangalan ko sa kanta.”

He has very fond memories of his time in Student Canteen, which jumpstarted his career and that of a few others, including Janet Basco. The exposure he got on the show opened up opportunities for him, which he’ll always be grateful for. “Naalala ko, biglang nagbago ‘yung mundo ko noon kasi I grew up in the province. And then all of a sudden, I was in a lunchtime show. It lasted for two years, ‘yung stint ko sa kanila. I could have done something more. I could have taken advantage of the situation, pero wala akong alam noon. I was so young.”

To date, he has been in the industry for some time — more than 30 years to be exact — but Marco says he is not threatened by the emergence on the scene, first of Martin Nievera and Gary Valenciano in the ’80s, followed by the likes of Erik Santos, Christian Bautista and Jed Madela, then by a new set that includes Bryan Termulo, a talent show graduate starting to make a name for himself as a performer of movie and TV themes.

“I’ve always said, the more, the merrier. Kasi pagdating sa kantahan, kantahan lang naman ‘yan. At saka iba-iba naman kami. I think the unique element I bring to a song is how I interpret it at saka siguro because of the age, pagdating sa feelings mas malalim akong kumanta. Plus with the hits I’ve had, I have an identity. And I just always give it 100 percent when I sing.”

And yet Marco is looking to still extend his already prodigious career with the new album he just released. The album, Isang Pagkakataon, co-produced by award-winning composer Vehnee Saturno, is distributed by PolyEast Records and contains original materials.

Marco explains that his passion for the industry has not waned since the ’70s. He actually tried living in the US, but ended up coming back to the Philippines because he couldn’t see himself holding down an 8-5 job there. He admires Gabby Concepcion for making a go of it for several years before coming back in 2008 to resume his acting career here.

But even then, Gabby (whose last acting project was Kahit Puso’y Masugatan) travels back and forth to the US. “I can’t see myself doing that,” says Marco. “Masyado ‘yung pinuhunan ko sa singing ko, and I can still sing. When I was there, I told myself, ‘I might as well go back and sing my heart out.’ Kung baga, kakanta na lang ako for as long as I can.”

And that is why he decided to release an album. As for his other involvements, like politics, Marco says the priority right now is his music. Everything else is secondary. “Hindi naman siya over,” he says of his political career. “My doors are still open when it comes to public service. I didn’t run in 2010, and I’m not running in next year’s elections. In 2016? Maybe. But if the (singing) career takes off again, politics can wait.”

Winners of 24th Gawad CCP

The Cultural Center of The Philippines (CCP) announced the winners of the 24th Gawad CCP Para sa Alternatibong Pelikula at Video last Nov. 23 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines Tanghalang Manuel Conde.

In the experimental category, the first prize went to Pikit Sa Alas-Tres (Sleeping Uncertainties at 3) by Mark Sherwin Maestro of UP Diliman; second prize to UN by Inshallah Montero (De La Salle College of St. Benilde); and third prize to Pilipinas by Alyssa Suico (UP Film Institute). Honorable mention went to Destinasyon by Catherine Luna Capistrano (University of the East–Caloocan) and Sa Gabi Nahihimlay, Nasaan Ka Aking Madaling-Araw? (On Night’s Sleep, Where are you my Daylight?) by Mark Sherwin Marquez Maestro (UP Diliman).

In the animation category, the first prize was awarded to Marianing by Niko Salazar (De La Salle College of St. Benilde) and second prize to Oli Impan by Omar Aguilar (Ateneo de Naga University). Two films in the category received third prize — Bulador De Casa (Indoor Kite) by Victor Ian Covarrubias (Ateneo de Zamboanga University) and Kaleh At Mbaki by Dennis Sebastian (Independent).  Honorable mention went to Brownout Animation by Christine Joyce Silva (Independent); Tulak-Bala (To Push Away Calamity) by Mary Grace Antonio (Ateneo de Zamboanga University); and The Willow by Phoebe Semfuego (Ateneo de Naga University)

In the documentary category, no first prize was awarded.  Hapi Libing (Happy Living) by Steve Cardona (Independent, Lipa City, Batangas) received second prize while Walang Hanggang Buhay Ni Leonardo Co by Nannette Matilac (Independent, DocuCinema Media Collective, Inc.) got the third  prize. Honorable mention went to Balitok (Gold) by Sheryl Rose Andes (UP Film Institute); Pamukot (Caught In A Net) by Godson Escopete (Independent,  Tudla Productions Group, Inc.); and The Quiapo Perspective by Inshallah Montero (De La Salle College of St. Benilde).  A special citation was given to Misyon Sa Bundok Apo by Jophel Botero Ybiosa (Independent,  RCP Productions).

In the short feature category, the first prize was awarded to Saranghae My Tutor by Victor Villanueva (Independent, Dreamline Productions) and second prize to Imik by Anna Isabelle Matutina (Independent,  Digital Cheese). Au Revoir Philip by Sigrid Andrea  Bernardo (Independent) and Mani by Hubert Tibi (Independent, Shotlist Productions) shared the third prize.

Omar Aguilar’s Oli Impan and Villanueva’s Saranghae My Tutor were named Best Regional Entries while Covarrubias’ Bulador De Casa was named Best Work by/for/on children.