"Viva Senyor" wins 5th Huniño

CEBU, Philippines - The fifth Huniño original songwriting contest was held last Wednesday evening at the Basilica del Santo Niño Pilgrim Center.

The event also included the re-launching of the Basilica del Sto. Niño pipe organ played by the organ director of Las Piñas, Professor Armando Salarza, with the renowned University of the Visayas Choral.

The Huniño or the Huni Halad Alang Kang Senyor Santo Niño is an annual activity organized by the Augustinian community of the Basilica del Sto. Niño.

Fr. Raymundo Alcayaga, OSA, the Huniño project director, stressed that the main purpose of the event is to intensify the campaign and to promote the devotion to the Sr. Sto. Niño through songs.

“Viva Senyor” came out as the winning piece among the over 100 entries from all over the country.

 According to Fr. Alcayaga, there were 15 songs in their final list. This was more than the number of songs chosen annually in the past four years, at 12 songs.

The winning song “Viva Senyor” was composed by Dr. Felynn R. Tampon, with its lyrics written by Janice H. Warnack.

Monica Vashti Casquejo, Jhesidy Thea Alberca, Fibern Christian Estenzo, Lorielyn Gantuangco, Alvin Gantuangco and Rodelyno Lapni gave life to the song which took home the P50, 000 cash prize and a trophy.

It was followed by the piece “Santo Niño Luwasa Ako” by Russel Alejado, who won P30, 000 and a trophy.

“Ako’y Iyo, O Señor Santo Niño” written by Niño James won third place with a trophy and P20,000-cash prize.

Jay-Arr, the composer of the song “Make Me Follow You” won as Best interpreter with cash prize of P5,000.

Non-winners also received P7, 500 each.

Fr. Alcayaga said all songs, which are a tribute to the Sto. Niño, will be placed in CDs for everyone to avail of. – (FREEMAN)