It has been 444 years since the fateful day of April 28, 1565 when the image of the most venerated religious icon in the country was miraculously found among the remains of a house consumed by fire. On that very spot, a chapel was built—and 444 years after, this is where the Basilica del Sto. Niño stands. It has, indeed, been 444 years of unraveling miracles and 444 years of devotion to the Señor Santo Niño.
Which is why it has been decided that the 3rd Huniño: Halad Alang Kang Señor Santo Niño Songwriting Competition will hold its Grand Finals Night on April 27 instead of its previous staging in January during the fiesta of the Santo Niño.
The project director of the 3rd Huniño Songwriting Grand Finals, Rev. Fr. Raymundo T. Alcayaga, OSA, says that this makes the event more meaningful not only to the Augustinian community, but also to the millions of pilgrims who come to the basilica to pay homage to this revered symbol of Christian faith.
The competition is also part of the Province of Sto. Niño’s 25th anniversary celebration as an independent province. It will be a celebration of success amid challenges through 25 years of making a difference in the lives of many, especially the poor and underprivileged.
The 3rd Huniño Songwriting Grand Finals will be staged at 7:30 in the evening in the Sto. Niño Pilgrim Center of the Basilica and will be free for those who are interested to watch. The event will showcase the 12 chosen compositions from over a hundred entries—all arranged by one of Cebu’s most gifted musical arrangers, Nendel Endrina. To provide musical accompaniment is the Huniño String Orchestra under the baton of Professor Roberto del Rosario.
Besides the Php5,000 cash that each finalist automatically receives, the Best Huniño Composition will receive Php50,000, the first runner-up will receive Php30,000 and the second runner-up will receive Php20,000. The Best Interpreter will also be awarded Php10,000.
Jed Madela, one of the country’s most talented stage performers and an alumnus of the College of San Augustine in Iloilo City, will grace the event as a special guest.
The Basilica del Sto. Niño Children’s Welfare Foundation, Inc. has been the beneficiary of the proceeds of the songwriting competition. The event will aid the foundation in providing scholarships for the children or grandchildren of the members of the Basilica United Vendors and Photographers’ Association.
The 3rd Huniño Songwriting Competition is presented by the Augustinian Community of the Basilica del Sto. Niño, the Basilica del Sto. Niño Community and the Basilica del Sto. Niño Bookstore.