'Curse' ends for 39th Cebu Pop winner

CEBU, Philippines — Jade Castro’s entry, “Kabataan, Bag-Ong Katilingban” dominated the 39th Cebu Popular Music Festival held Friday night, Jan. 18, at the IC3 Convention Center.

His composition won the category “Awit sa Pagpakabana” and the People’s Choice Award after garnering a total of 8,900 Facebook likes and 102, 429 Facebook shares.

The song was interpreted by “The Voice Kids” Season 3 semi-finalist Yessha De La Calzada, declared this year's Cebu Pop Best Interpreter.

Castro was beyond elated to return to the Cebu Pop stage. He said he kissed the floor at IC3 Convention Center to end what he believed was a curse when the annual event was transferred there from Cebu Coliseum,  its venue for the past years.

Castro feels he overcame the curse after performing a small ritual of kissing the floor.

“Matag tuig gyud ko mag-apilan. Actually, akoang gisupla ang curse since nabalhin ang Cebu Pop diri for three years gikan sa Cebu Coliseum, sigi ko og pasulod og entry pero karon pa gyud nga naa'y nasulod," he shared.

"Happy kaayo kay wa ko nag-expect kay lisod kaayo ang kompetisyon karon kay all over the Philippines na tungod kay naa nay online submission. Daghan na kaayo mga songwriters ni-submit ug nindot kay daghan nga klase sa kanta ang atong madungog. Bisan lisod hunahunaon pero mapasalamaton kaayo ko ni Senyor Santo Niño kay gipadaog niya."

Castro was among 12 finalists that competed under the three categories: Awit sa Gugma, Huni sa Kasingkasing and Awit sa Pagpakabana.

Jesson Alabaran’s composition, “Kon Pwede Lang,” about two individuals in mutual understanding status, won in the Awit sa Gugma category. Gerlyn Abaño was the song's interpreter.

“MU silang duha pero nailog sa lain ang ka-MU. Didto nalang ko nakahibalo nga sila na diay sa katong nag-ilog. Wala na ko'y choice but to let them be and let go sa akong ka-MU,” he said.

This is Albaran’s second Cebu Pop entry that became a finalist. In 2016, his piece titled "Uyab Ta Pero Dili Ta Magsaba” was among the contenders.

“It was really unexpected. Happy kaayo ko nga usa siya sa mga finalist last 2016. Now, wala pa gyud ni-sink in pero nalipay gyud mi sa among naabtan karon ug daghang salamat gyud ni Senyor Santo Niño,” Albaran said.

The champion for the Huni sa Kasingkasing category was “Hugot pas Huot,” penned by Eller Jeff L. Escarda and Adonis Durado and interpreted by DJ Mae Dente and Asser Dilao.

“Nindot kaayo nga makahimo og kanta ilabi na nga maka-interpret sab ka. Ganahan ko mag-rap ug kining kantaha dako kaayo og bili nako kay dili siya ordinary nga love song. Mao nga nigamit ko og Leon Kilat aron aduna sab gyud siya’y pagka-nationalistic,” said Dilao, who wrote and performed the song's rap part.

The rest of the finalists were “Adto Nako” (Goodbye Song) by Barry Estrada Villacarillo; “Kita Nalang” composed and interpreted by Winset Rose Jacot; “Kon Andam Na” composed by Frenyx Tarangoy and interpreted by Ronna Jenn Cañete and Simeon Philipp Mancol for the Awit sa Gugma category.

“ABKDEGH” by Floramie V. Mamolo was one of the finalists for the Huni sa Kasingkasing category along with “Bale-balehon” by Mark Eric A. Gavino and “Gugmang Binarkada” by John Stephen Cadeliña. The three composers interpreted their own entries.

The finalists for Awit sa Pagpakabana were Joseph Delima’s “Biktima” interpreted by Rosalie Las Piñas, Myrth Akeeuh Codilla, Myumi and Mulan Rosal; “Patay Patay” composed  by Hardie Bigcas and interpreted by Dave Alcano; and “Sugbong Nahiusa” by Clark D. Geraldizo who was also the interpreter together with Kirsten Ila Mari C. Avila.

“Sugbong Nahiusa” was awarded Best Lyric Video.

Tasked to judge the Top 12 based on musicality, lyrics and impact were Dennis Sugarol, Roberto Del Rosario, Troy Ciar, Bernie Uy, DJ Boy Kirat, Dr. Christine Fernandez-Fabian and Judge Simeon Dumdum Jr.

Cebu Pop founder, Talisay City Mayor Eduardo Gullas, promised that he will continue supporting Cebuano talents who have a passion in music.