Finalists in 26th Cebu pop fest announced

The twelve songs that made it to the 26th Cebu Pop Music Festival next year have been announced.

Philogene Florita, Cebu Pop Music Festival executive project director, yesterday said 150 entries were screened by 12 judges at the University of the Visayas-Alumni Office from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. yesterday before the choices came out.

The 12 competitions were Tatay, Pauli Na, which was composed by Dennis Sugarol ranked first. This was followed by Bahalag Yabag of Jay-Arr Librando, Sugbo-ok of Troy Ciar, Bito-on Mo of Jun Cabillar, Bombero, Barbero, Kusinero of Frederick Villarojo, Buhata na, Uban sa Damgo Ta of Nicanor Tampos Jr., Ang Hagit of Joseph Abella, Silpon of Eugene Tan, Bidlisiw sa Bag-ong Paglaum of Dennis Sugarol, Kaminiru (Metro Aide) of Charles Jayme, Ning Kiliran of Jun Cabillar and Laylay sa Inahan of Glen Salve.

The members of screening committee were professionals in the music industry.

Rochelle "Raki" Vega, Eva Santos, Sheryn Regis, Anna Fegi and Vina Morales are among Cebuana singers who joined the Cebu Pop Music festival and eventually grabbed national fame.

The Pop Music Festival, now in its 26th year, is a project of First District Rep. Eduardo Gullas of Cebu. The music festival is held every Friday before the grand parade, which is on the third Sunday of January, which will be on January 13, 2006. - Garry B. Lao