VISPOP 2 unveils six finalists

CEBU, Philippines - Vispop is a songwriting campaign that encourages Visayan-speaking composers and music enthusiasts to write quality Visayan songs that speak of today’s generation.

A brainchild of Artist KO, it was conceptualized in 2009 and had its first staging in 2013. Artist KO is a non-profit, non-stock organization that supports individual creativity, skill and talent, and which has artists, musicians and entrepreneurs as members. Vispop is supported by Filipino Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, Inc. (FILSCAP) and Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc.

The first batch of Vispop finalists and winners captured the hearts of not just Cebuano listeners but non-Cebuano speaking music fans all over the country. It produced well-crafted, radio-friendly songs such as “Duyog,” “Laylay,” and “Papictura ko Nimo, Guwapo,” among others. The songs have been topping charts nationwide. “Balay Ni Mayang” alone landed third in an MOR Manila countdown.

Now on its second year, Vispop is once again set to make waves with its new set of six finalists meticulously chosen from among 120 entries from all over the country’s Visayan-speaking regions. And now, these songwriters are ready to face the limelight:

“INTERGALACTIC GUGMA” is a song by siblings Kaye and Keith Jonas Dinauto. Kaye, 23, is an HRM graduate from University of San Carlos. Keith is a 19-year-old Occupational Therapy student from Velez College. Keith and his friends were not really serious about the song at first. But with the help of Kaye, he gave the song a serious thought. The song is a humorous depiction of a love that reaches galactic proportions.

Johnever Canlom is an illustrator from Toledo City, Cebu. Born on Independence Day, the date of his birth could have contributed to his passion for the Cebuano language. He wrote the song “KASIKAS” for the victims of the Bohol earthquake and typhoon Yolanda last year.

From Agusan del Norte, Kenneth Corvera decided to join Vispop after hearing the songs from last year’s Vispop finalists. This 24-year-old entrepreneurial marketing graduate from Mindanao State University is also a singer-songwriter of his band, Offlimits. Kenneth got the idea for his composition “DILI PA PANAHON” while babysitting his cousin, an experience that taught him that love should not be rushed.

Gasser Perez is a 29-year-old OFW from Zamboanga del Sur. His exposure to foreign lands has deepened his love for local heritage and culture. He wrote the song “HABAK” as a tribute to the rich Visayan folklore and oral tradition about anting-anting, or amulets, something that many in the provinces still believe in.

The youngest among the six finalists, Jerika Salve Teodorico is a first year political science student in Cebu Normal University. Seventeen-year-old Jerika has been writing songs since she was ten. Her entry, “LABYU, LANGGA,” is inspired by her mother’s favorite term of endearment, “langga,” (which is short for “palangga”).

Michael Vincent Tuico’s “IMONG BAYANI” is a typical love song about a guy who has nothing to offer his girl but his undying love, and a promise to always be a hero to her no matter what. Tuico wrote the song last January. Tuico is from Mohon, Bateria, Daanbantayan, Cebu. He presently lives in Mandaue City. (FREEMAN)