12 entries chosen for Huniño finals on August 27

CEBU, Philippines - The Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño has selected the 12 finalists for the 7th Huniño “Huni Halad Alang Kang Señor Santo Niño” original songwriting contest which will be on August 27 at its Pilgrim Center.

Out of the 72 entries, the committee for the annual songwriting competition chose 12 songs that best show the theme “Journeying Together in Faith with Sto. Niño.”

The 12 finalists are the following: “Managlahi Man Ang Pagtuo” by Erwin Lirazan, “I’ll Always Turn To You” by Eugene Tan and  Atty.  Vicente Roco, “Mag-ambahan Sa Panaw Sa Pagtuo” by Manolito Languido, “Ikaw Lamang O Sr. Sto. Niño” by Rev. Fr. Lyndon Ruiz, “Santo Niño O’ Santo Niño” by Dennis Martin and Joseph Delima, “Santo Niño, Gasa Alang Kanamo” by Niño James Bañares and Virgilio Amistad; “Santo Niño, Among Manlalaban” by Rommel Ambi and Rev. Fr. Ponce Jed Bellones; “Sto. Niño, Batobalani Ka Sa Gugma” by Medelito Baculpo; “Ania Ako” by Harold Jay Toreno and Jundel Bacalso; “Santo Niño, Among Ginoo” by Ritchie Gonzales, “Salamat Sa Iyo O’ Señor Sto. Niño” by Mary Jane Saile and “Batang Balaan” by Godwin Monserate and Justina Besin.

The rector of the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño, Fr. Jonas Mejares, OSA, said that they chose song pieces that can be used and sang by the parishioners during the entrance song or any part of the Mass.

Pilipinas Got Talent Season 4 champion Roel Manlangit will be gracing the event as a guest performer along with former Pinoy Dream Academy scholar Apple Abarquez and Fr. Mejares, who will also be singing as guest performers.

Mejares said that the date of the finals night is also the feast day of Sta. Monica, the mother of St. Augustine, which is why it is a big day for the Augustinian community as well.

To recall, the competition was usually held every April but this year, it will be in August to give the composers enough time to compose or create good materials for the competition.

Mejares said that next year, they plan to have a live band accompany the performers and by 2015, they plan to have a grander event by having an orchestra accompany the performers.

Aside from trophies, cash prizes are also at stake. The grand prize winner will bring home P50,000; the second placer will get P30,000 while the third placer will have P20,000.

The Best Interpreter will receive P10,000. Each of the magic 12 finalists will automatically receive P5,000 plus a plaque.

Last year’s grand winner was a collaborative masterpiece of Ian Gerome Perpetua, the lyricist and Kurl Francis Dedumo, the composer. Their winning entry was “Balaang Sto. Niño, Ang Giya Ko”. — (FREEMAN)