The competition is open to all songwriters, amateurs and professionals, old and young. They can be rappers or rockers. They may compose kundimans or R&B. The only common denominator required is that the entries come under the category of popular music. No sonatas or concertos will be accepted. Just songs like what we usually hear over the radio and which have the potential to become hits.
This type of music after all, was what Celerio, who was fondly called Mang Levi in local music circles, created during his lifetime. Although schooled in classical music and the violin, he opted to write songs that most people could easily relate to. He wrote sentimental love songs like Kahit Konting Pagtingin, Gaano Ko Ikaw Kamahal and Saan Ka Man Naroroon. He tapped into the funnybone with Puto’t Kutsinta and Nuong Unang Panahon. He dabbled in social commentary with Pitong Gatang and Isang Kahig, Isang Tuka. He wrote his lyrics for danzas, balitaws and kundimans and later also for modern western forms. But whatever the beat or the message, his songs were always aimed at the ordinary listener.
So all of you out there who can write songs and are in need of the right showcase for your works, check out the entry forms available in Video City outlets and at the Viva Entertainment office. At stake for the winners are P250,000, first prize, P100,000 for the second prize winner, P75,000 for third place and P10,000 each for rest of the 12 finalists. The 12 finalists will be recorded in a commemorative album and their songs will be performed live in the Grand Finals show in November. Send entries to the Viva Foundation office at the 7th Floor, Tektite East Tower, Exchange Road, Pasig City. Check out the application forms available in Video City outlets for details.
Leslie placed fifth in the contest but just as Ding rose to prominence in Hong Kong as the star of the TVV musical show Hitwave, Leslie went into films and recording. But since they were considered the promising hopefuls along with the likes of Jackie Chan and Chow Yun Fat, they constantly performed and hang out together. In a way, they were then the "bagets" of Hong Kong showbiz.
Late last Tuesday evening, Ding got a call from one of his and Leslie’s old buddies in Hong Kong. Leslie had committed suicide by jumping from the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Hong Kong. The 46-year-old King of Cantopop and star of acclaimed films like Farewell My Concubine and Happy Together, went up to the hotel’s gym and asked for a place in the balcony where he could have his coffee. He also asked for pen and paper and started to write something. No one suspected he was writing a suicide note. He then jumped from the balcony. He was certified dead on arrival at the hospital.
"I remember him as a very nice person," says Ding who received the news with sadness. "He was most unassuming. Even after he became famous, he was just a regular guy. My friend told me that he felt so nostalgic watching TV because they were replaying Leslie’s old appearances and several of them were with me. We performed in so many production numbers together.
"He was a good actor and a very popular singer. He was also looking so well. He didn’t look 46 at all but much younger. He did this big tour about a year ago and everybody was talking about what a huge success it was. I really can’t understand how somebody so nice and so successful would want to kill himself. They say that at the time of his death, he was worth US$40 million."
No one is likely to know the real reason why Leslie Cheung decided to kill himself but thanks to his extraordinary work as an artist, he will always be remembered.