Vispop now a genre in its 4th year

CEBU, Philippines - Hop on a jeepney, and you hear that song. Log on to social media, and there’s that tune again. And oddly enough, a song in a dialect that isn’t Tagalog, isn’t awkward to the ears, and is even enjoyable.

The past three years have been glitter if not gold for the Visayan dialect – be it in literature or music – thanks to Vispop, a songwriting campaign launched in 2009 that encourages Visayan-speaking composers and music enthusiasts to write quality Visayan songs that speak of today’s generation.

“I think Vispop has become more like a music genre now because even songs that aren’t from Vispop, as long as they are Bisaya, are considered by the people as Vispop,” says Vispop musical director Jude Gitamondoc during a press conference at the ArtistKo Music Studio inside the UP High campus.

“The people have taken Vispop and accepted it, and that’s a good thing for us,” Gitamondoc adds.

Now on its fourth year, Vispop continues the campaign with six compositions as finalists, sifted from among more than 360 submissions not just from Cebu but also from other regions including Agusan del Norte and Bohol.

Jerika Teodorico, the composer and voice behind Vispop 2.0’s winner “Labyu Langga,” returns with the fun road trip song “Baklay,” which she says began as a simple “laag-laag” piece, but evolved into an ode to Cebu.

John Cadeliña and Irving Guazon take you to the skies with their almost superhero-esque entry “Damgo.”

Marajane Monton and Sherwin Fugoso challenge the notion of “walang forever” with their bubbly piece, “Imoha Ra Akong Kasingkasing.”

“Paghunas” by Joseph Gara vents out the longing and pain between a wife and her sailor husband who risks his life at sea.

Kenneth Corvera takes the daily commute aboard jeepneys into a new scale, building fun metaphors with his song “Pep-Pep.”

Then there’s Marie Salvaleon’s “Suwat Ni Maria,” a song about the joys of falling in love. Ironically, it was borne out of Salvaleon’s most vulnerable and frustrating moments. She is also the artist behind Vispop 1.0’s “Papictura Ko Nimo Gwapo.”

Vispop project director Insoy Niñal describes the screening process as rigorous, even bloody, adding that the panel listens to each song at least up to the chorus.

“Just give us good songs, that’s it,” Niñal says, after reassuring the media that no “under the table” decisions were made during screening, noting that some of Vispop 4.0’s finalists are previous Vispop contenders.

From its first staging in 2013, Vispop has since churned out hits like “Laylay,” “Duyog,” “Balay Ni Mayang,” “Labyu Langga,” “Buwag Balik,” “Bok Love,” “Barangay Blues,” among many others. These songs have captured listeners nationwide, managing to make fans out of not just Visayan listeners, but non Visayan-speakers as well.

In the midst of a growing audience, Vispop strives to support the artists under their wing.

“We give them gigs, schedule events, promote them online, provide them copyright, royalties, publishing,” Niñal says, especially that Vispop has the support of the Filipino Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, Inc. (FILSCAP) in protecting the rights of the artists. Niñal shares that their relationship with the artists and promotion of the songs do not end after finals night.

“We hope that when the audience say ‘We support local,’ they also buy local,” says Gitamondoc as he encourages the public to actually pay for the music they consume.

Ian Zafra, Vispop’s business development manager, says he is grateful for the acceptance of the masses, but still aims to gain the support of the business sector.

“We want the businesses to see that music is economic and profitable,” Zafra imparts.

A P30,000 grand prize awaits the champion, followed by P20,000, and P10,000 for the second and third placers. This year, Vispop adds the Netizen’s Choice Award for the lyric video that gets the most likes and shares.

Vispop 4.0’s finals night is on June 18, a Saturday, at SM Seaside City’s Centerstage. Until then, music fans can enjoy the six lyric videos on the Vispop Facebook page. (FREEMAN)