Finalists of 3rd Hunino Songwriting tilt bared

CEBU, Philippines – In commemoration of the 444th anniversary celebration of the miraculous discovery of the image of the country's most revered religious icon, the Señor Santo Niño, the "3rd Huniño: Huni Halad Alang Kang Señor Santo Niño de Cebu" will go on stage for its Grand Finals Night tomorrow, April 27, at 7:30pm in the Sto. Niño Pilgrim Center of the Basilica.

The event will showcase the original works of the 12 finalist composers. From different backgrounds and walks of life, these finalists have been brought together by their unwavering devotion to the Señor Sto. Niño, which they express through their heartfelt compositions.

“Like an Empty Vessel”

Ogie Melgar, composer of "Like an Empty Vessel," is an educator at the St. Francis of Assisi School and has been a finalist in numerous songwriting competitions for the past years. He has personally produced an album, "Soar High, Fly High," last 2006.

His song "Like an Empty Vessel" is inspired by the holy scriptures, particularly Acts 2:1-4, and aims to touch the heart of every believer to make them strong enough to spread the good news. The song's interpreter will be 13-year-old Kristel Angela Mae Pragados of St. Francis of Assisi School. Pragados was a performer at Salamat Musika 2008 (first season.)

“Santo Niño, Kaluwasan Ko”

Engr. Emmanuel L. Abellana gives honor and respect to the Señor Sto. Niño as he humbly expresses his faith and prayer for enlightenment through his composition, "Santo Niño, Kaluwasan Ko." The National Statistics Office District Statistics Officer is a trainer/conductor of the San Isidro Labrador Parish Choir and Alay sa Diyos Praise Ministry. He won 2nd prize during last year's Huniño Songwriting Festival and was a finalist of the same competition last 2007.

His chosen interpreter is Oscar Pagas of Pasil, Cebu City, who has won in several songwriting competitions as well.

"Tungod sa Kaayo Mo"

Vocal coach and stage art director Roger Suycano sees his song as a promise and a constant reminder to all that the love of God continues to steer humankind into goodness. Suycano, who has participated and won numerous songwriting competitions in Cebu, as well as other cities in the country, is a trainer, conductor and vocal coach of the Liturgical Yodelers-Recoletos, Santo Rosario Parish Grand Choir and Asian Academy of Music. He was a finalist in last year's Huniño Songwriting Competition.

Jingle Placencia, a cashier by profession and vocalist of The Lord Reigns Band, will interpret Suycano's composition.

"Batang Hesus"

Richter Alegado, the composer of "Batang Hesus," says that his love for God is what inspired him to join the competition. He wants this song to be his love offering to the Lord. He is the keyboard player and the vocalist of his own band, as well as a member of the King's Minstrels Chorale. It is his first time joining songwriting competitions.

The lyricist, Yoogin Raye Anthony Burgos, is also a member of the King's Minstrels Chorale and he aims to be a radical disciple of God. Writing religious songs is his passion and his way of praising Jesus Christ. He is a volleyball trainer of San Fernando's Spartans Volleyball Team. Michelle Gantuangco of the 5th Season Choir will interpret “Batang Hesus.”

“Santo Niño, Bless the Children”

Jude Gitamondoc is a songwriter by profession and is proudly based in Cebu City. His songs have been recorded by popular OPM artists like Gary Valenciano, Ariel Rivera, Piolo Pascual and Toni Gonzaga. His song "Santo Niño, Bless the Children" is a song of plea to the Sto. Niño for the welfare of the children and He believes that there is no better patron for the welfare of the children than the child Jesus himself. Gitamondoc presently continues to write and produce songs for Manila and Cebu-based artists.

The interpreter, Levin Inez, is a bronze prize winner and Best Interpreter of the 2007 Sounds of the Human World Songwriting Competition held in Taiwan. He is currently a student of Don Bosco Technology Center.

“Jesus”

Jay-arr Librando is a seminarian-on-regency. he composed this song as a reminder that the mighty name of Jesus should be honored and respected. His focus is on the second commandment, "You shall not put the Lord's name in vain." Librando has participated and has even won in many songwriting competitions. He has organized competitions as well.

“Jesus” will be interpreted by the Voices of Praise of Carmel. It is a compendium of former USC choristers, music teachers from different schools, students and music enthusiasts, and has exposed itself to the public through musicals and recordings.

“Santo Niño, Ako Pasayloa”

Roy Tabasa, the composer as well as the interpreter of the song, works for MCWD and is the trainor of the MCWD Choir. He also trains the Marian Choir and has been a finalist during the past Huniño Songwriting Competitions. Tabasa sees his composition as one that asks for forgiveness for the wrong things one has done in the past.

Tabasa will be performing the song with his 17-year-old son, Riel Tabasa, who is an SK councilor of Barangay Bulacao and the president of Renaissance Youth Organization.

“Santo Niño, Sa Akong Pagmata”

Britz Bryan Briones, the song’s composer, is currently a music/violin teacher at the Center for International Education Global Colleges and was the 1992 Region 7 champion for the Yamaha Electone Organ Competition. He is the Laudate Dominum Vocal Ensemble musical director-coordinator and the violinist of the Mutya String Quartet and Cue-Me Trio.

The lyricist, Rowena Vercide-Tampus, is an active member of the Ministry of Lectors and Psalmists of the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño. Her lyrics for the song highlight a miracle that often goes unnoticed—God’s gift of a new day for us to wake up to.

Manuel Rufo, a member of the Laudate Dominum Vocal Ensemble, will interpret the song.

“Holy Child Desire”

As the song’s lyricist, Lelita Caballes is a housewife who enjoys tutoring children as much as she enjoys writing short poems and short stories for them. In the song entry, “Holy Child Desire,” the lyricist wishes to tell of God’s wish for the people to believe and trust in Him.

Her son-in-law, Diomedes Limco-an jointly composed the music of the song with Singles for Christ member Barry Visoc during one of their guitar sessions. Limco-an is presently an active Lay Minister of the Basilica del Santo Niño and in his parish, the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Pajac, Lapu-lapu.

Banker Norelyn Endrina will present “Holy Child Desire” in the upcoming Grand Finals Night. She has interpreted songs that qualified for the finals of Cebu Pop Festival and the previous Huniño Songwriting Competitions.

“Paminawa Santo Niño”

With the conviction that the best way to pray heartily is by praying through songs, composer Ronald Tuico and lyricist Engr. Edison Roy Batiquin offer this composition to the Lord.

Ronald Tuico was a finalist during the first Huniño Songwriting Competition. Engr. Batiquin, a barangay councilor of Brgy. Pahina Central, is a member and former president of the Gaudete Choir and has also participated and won in several choral competitions.

“Paminawa Santo Niño” will be interpreted by another member of the Gaudete Choir, Mr. Allanito Lauron. He has been singing in a church choir since he was in grade school.

“Hear My Prayer”

“Hear My Prayer” talks about letting God into our hearts when we feel most vulnerable and allowing Him to continually embrace us with His unconditional love. The song’s composer Russel Alegado has joined and won in many songwriting and singing competitions, produced jingles, and was a finalist in the Original Marian Song Festival for four straight years and has personally produced three albums.

The lyricist is a 26-year-old owner and manager of a restaurant in Carcar and is a member of The King’s Minstrels Choir of the same municipality. She says that it is through writing inspirational songs that makes her a fulfilled woman with a strong desire to bring glory to God Almighty.

Irene Bacus, a member of the Pardo Parish Choir and a band vocalist, will interpret “Hear My Prayer.” This will be her second song interpretation in a Huniño Competition.

“Señor Santo Niño, Batang Hesus”

The song focuses on the infinite love of God for His people and offers praise, thanksgiving and a fervent pleading to never leave the Lord’s side.

Engr. Bernardo Gocela, the composer, has already won two grand prizes during the past Cebu Pop. This is his first time as a finalist of the Huniño Songwriting competition.

Ten-year-old Athessa Poulene Sagales of Maria Montessori International School is the chosen interpreter. Athessa was a monthly finalist during the 2006 Little Big Star Little Division. She was also a finalist during the 2007 3rd National Radyoke Challenge.