St. Pedro custodian wins Cebu Pop fest

CEBU, Philippines - A song written by a priest about the urgency of saving the environment won the grand prize in the 33rd Cebu Popular Music Festival held Friday night at the New Cebu Coliseum.

Besting 11 other entries was the composition titled “Magkuyog Ta, Panalipdan Ta,” written and arranged by Rev. Fr. Charles Louis N. Jayme.

The 35-year-old Cebuano priest said the idea for his song’s theme came last year when the country was being ravaged by  Typhoon Sendong. But he had to postpone completing his composition after he was appointed by the Cebu Archdiocese as the official custodian of San Pedro’s icon during the canonization.

But once he returned from the trip to Rome, he got down to work so he can submit his entry on time.

Mandaue Parish choir members Medi Baculpo and Rene Campomanes helped Fr. Jayme interpret the song.

“I asked myself what I can possibly do to help. Since I feel I have this gift for writing songs, I wanted to encourage people through a song that we should nurture our environment and give the message that there is still hope to save what God has created for us, as long as magkuyog ta ug panalipod,” he said.

A portion of the lyrics, which was arranged with an upbeat melody, reads: “May adlaw pa ug panahon/Sa paghatag ug paglaum/Panalipdan tang kalibutan ta karon!/Busa, magkuyog ta, panalipdan ta.” (There’s still time, there’s still hope. Let’s join hands in saving the earth.)

Fr. Jayme said he thought he had a fighting chance but also felt nervous because he thought the other entries were equally deserving and had varied themes.

It was Fr. Jayme’s first time to compete in Cebu Pop as a composer, but it was his third instance as interpreter. He won P150,000, a trophy, plus an additional P15,000 and plaque given to all finalists. He said he plans to save a portion of the cash prize and allot an amount to help the underprivileged in his parish.

The second prize went to “Balik na Pinangga Ko” written by Jade Castro and interpreted by Jay-arr Librando. Castro won P100,000.

“Amomahon Ka,” written by Niño James Bañares and Ramonito Carbon got the third prize, with a cash reward of P50,000. It was interpreted by Bañares.

The criteria for judging the Best Song was 45% for musicality, 45% for lyrics, and 10% for audience impact.

Named Best Interpreter was 11-year-old Knch Lhnn Cabillo who gave a heartfelt rendition of Erwin Lirazan’s “Salamat.” The sixth-grader took home P100,000.

Cabillo said the lyrics, which talked of a child’s life-long gratitude to one’s parents for their unconditional care, “I am a daughter, so gratitude to parents for taking care of me is something I can very much relate to. I offered the song to my parents, that’s why I think I was able to relate to it well.”

The judge’s panel, headed by Judge Simeon Dumdum, Jr., was made up of Cebu Pop 2012 Grand Prize winner Eugene Tan, screening committee member Baby Condeno, composer/interpreter of Cebu Pop 2008 Grand Prize winner, University of the Philippines Music teacher Catherine Rodel, music conductor Roberto del Rosario, award-winning international singer Maria Donna, radio anchor/entertainment editor Ryan Mark Borinaga, Cebuano performers Eva Santos and Archie Marcial and columnist Roger Serna.

A total of 113 entries from all over the country were submitted.

Program director Eli Manlangit said all proceeds for the Cebu Pop competition will be used by Cebu Pop founder, Congressman Eduardo R. Gullas, for charitable projects.

Cebu Pop, institutionalized as an annual project of the Cebu Arts Foundation Inc. and chaired by Gullas, aims to provide opportunities to songwriters and interpreters to hone their craft.

Cebuana singer Ana Fegi, a 1997 Cebu Pop Best Interpreter awardee, returned to the Cebu Pop stage for the first time since she won to render three song numbers.

Not less than 3,000 local music enthusiasts attended Friday night’s 33rd Cebu Popular Music Festival at Cebu Coliseum.

Gullas has continuously been giving tribute to Señor StoNiño through the Popular Music Festival which showcases the talents and artistry of Cebuanos.

“This was organized 33 years ago and boils down to the true essence and teachings of Sr. Sto. Niño,” Gullas said.

“To all aspiring artists, keep on composing and performing. I congratulate Cong. Gullas and I pray that this support to Cebu Pop will not fade,” Dumdum said.

Sheryn Regis, Raki Vega, Vina Morales, Dulce, Chad Borja, Eva Santos were some of the products of Cebu Pop who have established names in the music industry. — With /JPM (FREEMAN)