Jude Gitamondoc: Songwriting Savant

CEBU, Philippines - Had it not been because of his long stay in the seminary, he would not have realized his inner feelings for music. It was a calling, certainly intended for a man who deeply understands every point and reason of his existence. Jude Gitamondoc’s profound sense for music has been his golden ticket to where he is now today.

Jude’s career boomed in 2006 when he heard of the Gary V Project. He submitted his own compositions and luckily, five were recorded by Mr. Pure Energy himself. The songs were included in Gary Valenciano’s 12-track “Relevance” album.

He took serious interest in music during his first year of high school in Don Bosco. Owing his stay in the seminary to finding his purpose in life, Jude said, “I don’t think I’d be writing songs today were it not for the support of the Salesians — particularly Fr. Randy Figuracion, who got me started into songwriting, Fr. Andy Mendoza who encouraged me to improve on my piano playing, and Fr. Fidel Orendain who taught me invaluable lessons on lyric writing.”

The Salesian Fathers gave him a lot of opportunities to hone his songwriting skills. He remembered once browsing through a hymn book and realizing that the songs were actually written, that they didn’t just spring from out of nowhere, that someone wrote them. This fueled his interest in music and songwriting.

He finds inspiration from a good book, an interesting line from random conversations, jeepney rides, deadly deadlines and even rent (not the musical, the actual rent) and sometimes, love.

David Foster, Diane Warren, John Williams, Stephen Schwartz, Sara Bareilles and The Weepie usually influence Jude in many ways. A lot of OPM songwriters are also inspiring him such as Louie Ocampo, Jimmy Antiporda, Trina Belamide and Ryan Cayabyab.

“Usually, I gravitate to melodious songs with interesting chord progressions. However, I don’t mind four-chord songs. I occasionally write them as well. One thing, I’m particularly drawn to smart rhymes and witty lyrics. And of course, who can resist a great title? Example: ‘Titanium.’ I like that song,” he related.

Jude has been exposed to the industry professionally since 2001. While he is a songwriter and a musical director of several plays here in Cebu, he also writes and produces commissioned works such as jingles, theme songs, school hymns and even wedding songs. Apart from that, he is also co-organizing the second Vispop Songwriting Campaign together with his colleagues at Artist Ko. Needless to say, music really is his life.

Two of his renowned works are “Siddhartha The Musical” and “You’ve Been Facebooked! The Musical.”

He oversees the musical direction of the plays he has written. Recently, “Siddhartha The Musical” completed its 55th show in Las Vegas and California. It talks about the life of Buddha and his journey to enlightenment. The play also boasts of Cebuano talents who excel in the area of theater arts.

“You’ve Been Facebooked! The Musical,” on the other hand, had its successful second run last October in different Cebu universities. The musical tackles important issues such as cyberbullying, the responsible use of social media, and also encourages people to think first before clicking.

“For now, I’m most proud of ‘You’ve Been Facebooked! The Musical.’ Working is fun when you’re working with like minds, and I’ve found that in the Offbeats, comprised of good friends Jingle Saynes (director), Vince Gaton (choreographer) and Pami Estalilla (costume designer, but since she hates the label, I think this is more apt: creative juggernaut). The Offbeats gave me a much needed work ethic when it comes to writing and producing musicals. ‘Facebooked’ has changed me for good.”

Every career has its ups and downs, regardless of how successful one might be, but what matters is how one adapts to changes. “The biggest challenge is always getting back to songwriting in between productions when my mind has already been programmed to deal with menial problems like ‘Can we afford more batteries?’, ‘Are the tickets selling?’ or ‘Is this the right kind of plaster tape?’”

He composed award-winning songs for some of the country’s big names in the music industry: Gary Valenciano, Raki Vega, Toni Gonzaga, Piolo Pascual, Chad Peralta, and Ariel Rivera. Jude also writes stories for children and poems.

Of his favorite compositions so far, “For now, it is this song I co-wrote with poet Therese Villarante titled ‘Song On Broken String.’ I’m looking forward to producing it. But if I were to choose from among the published ones, I’d say ‘Usa Ka Libo Ug Usa Ka Panamilit.’”

Probably it is because of the heartwarming lyrics and haunting melody that makes his songs awaken the thoughts of hopeless romantics like him. “I guess it’s just the way I wired my brain from reading ‘The Little Prince,’ or listening to Barry Manilow and Jose Mari Chan as a kid. I hope to break that mold someday,” mused Jude.

When disappointing moments arise like losing in songwriting contests or good songs not getting its deserved radio air time, Jude never gives a fret. Instead, he keeps his faith up and never gives up. “It’s because I don’t know how to do anything else, that’s why the question has never been ‘Is it time to give up?’ It has always been ‘How can I write a better song?’”

If he was to write a song about himself, what would possibly be its title? “I’m very superstitious with song titles, so I won’t attempt to come up with one right now. But the song would probably be about songwriting; or the simplicity of a songwriter’s life. Or how about this: How one can truly devote an entire lifetime for just that silly thrill of marrying pretty melodies with poignant lyrics. Okay, I admit. I’m a hopeless romantic.”

To the emerging new breed who wish to tap their inner songwriters but don’t know where to begin, this was what Cebu’s music gem had to say: “Let’s write more songs in vernacular! I say ‘let’s’ because it is something I also have to do myself. Dili gyud bakya ang pinulongang Binisaya. Ato na nang tangtangon sa atong alimpatakan. The first step? Join Vispop! Shameless plugging aside, I think we’re on to something here. Look at how ‘Balay Ni Mayang’ is doing nationwide. There’s a sleeping giant of a market waiting to be awakened right there. And the opportunity could be right at the tip of our tongue.”

“There are those like Cattski and Rommel Tuico who blaze the trail and push the possibilities in the local music scene,” he continues.

“They are the ones I really admire and try to emulate. Then again, there are those who get off from criticizing other people’s works without really putting out anything remarkable or substantial. Those, I try not to mind, however much they draw attention to themselves. I do have something to say about the young and upcoming Cebuano songwriters: they are Titanium. I can’t wait for Cebu to explode with their awesomeness!” (FREEMAN)