The World Apostolate of Fatima (WAF) Philippines of the Cebu Archdiocesan Division is now accepting entries to the 23rd Original Marian Song Festival slated on September 8, which is the birthday of the Virgin Mary.
Dubbed “Gasa kang Mama Maria,” the event is held annually as a tribute to the Virgin Mary.
WAF Cebu president Amelita Guaren clarified that OMSF is an offering of honor to the Mother Mary during her birthday, saying that the event is not a competition since no cash rewards are given.
She said that through songs, “We exalt and promote Mary’s virtues especially her humility that people may imitate her.”
Guaren is calling on songwriters to come up with their original compositions on Mother Mary and submit them as entries to the festival. All entries must comply with the requirements set by the organizers of the event.
Foremost of the requirements is that the lyrics and melody of entries must be original. The use of traditional Marian prayers as lyrics is discouraged but paraphrased versions of these prayers are allowed.
Compositions can be in Filipino, English or Cebuano and should last for four minutes at most. They must have not been popularized before July 15.
Guaren said participating songwriters must allow the executive committee to choose the genre, meter, form, tempo, arrangement, rhythm, and instrumentation, among others, of their compositions.
All submitted compositions will become the property of the Blessed Virgin Mary and may be used by WAF in any functions. Participants may send as many entries as they can on or before July 31 at WAF Office, 2nd Floor, Cardinal Rosales Pastoral Center, Patria de Cebu Building, P. Burgos Street, Cebu City. For inquiries, interested may call 412-1477. — Jessica Ann Pareja/LPM