LET us make it official: Cebu is the Indie Music Capital of the Philippines. These are exciting times, really, for Bisaya Orig, music written by Bisaya artists, with materials catching attention nationally and internationally.
Allow me to present the most outstanding works and artists in the Cebu Siloy Music Awards 2018. The selection is not guided by the number of views in Youtube or airplays in radio stations Rather, we listened intently to originality, quality and being innovative.
Song of the Year (Composer): “Ayaw Pagsaad” (Edgardo Butalid) is representative of countless materials released meant for mass appeal. “Gugmang Maka” (Russel Alegado-Ronil Watin) may be the best thing that happened to Cebu Pop in a long time, while “Kun Di Pa Lang Ko Buang” (Chai Fonacier) broke barriers for Vispop.
“Sinsilyo” (Jude Gitamondoc) once more showcases the brilliant songwriting of the multi-award-winning composer. “Kawanangan” (Lorenzo Niñal) revived in the film “Patay Na Si Hesus” has been rediscovered as a Bisrock gem. “Mangamatay Ra Tang Tanan” (Meunnie Cullantes-Winset Jacot) could have been the winner with its offbeat style, if not for the totally infectious and proudly anthemic “Cebuana” by Karen Ann Cabrera. The Song of the Year: “Cebuana” as popularized by Karencitta.
Best Vocal Performance, Male: Vincent Eco (“I Know You Do”), Jude Pastor (“Gibuhat Ko Ang Tanan”) and John Vëantur (“Char Char”) are singer-songwriters who should take pride in their materials. Hopia Tinambacan (“Sayaw Ta”) remains brilliant as ever. Kurt Fick (“Puhon”) and Von Saw (“Ayaw La’g Huwat”) are the twin voices that raise the flag high for Bisaya Orig. The past year, though, belonged to Insoy Niñal (of Missing Filemon) whose “Kawanangan” added rich flavor to the trailer of “Patay Na Si Hesus”. The winner: Insoy Niñal.
Best Vocal Performance, Female: The belters are first-rate: Davelyn Cuenco (“Kung Di Man Gani Kita”); Joannah Jane Sy (“Nganong Pasalig Man”); and last year’s winner Jacky Chang (“Sinsilyo”). Nobody can beat the Dame of Cool: Bingbing Veloso (“Hulagway”). Chai Fonacier (“Kun Di Pa Lang Ko Buang”) is the archetypal tour de force. Jerika Teodorico is enigmatic in “Anino.” But Karencitta, whose “Cebuana” continues to take the world by storm, cannot be denied the award of Best Vocal Performance, Female for 2018.
Breakthrough Artist: The Maka Girls (“Gugmang Maka”) brought the house down in Pilipinas Got Talent 2018, whereas synth-pop duo Mandaue Nights (‘You & I”) are getting national attention. These four acts deserve bigger audiences: Winset Jacot (“Mangamatay Ratang Tanan”); Chai Fonacier (“Kun Di Pa Lang Ko Buang”); Bingbing Veloso (“Hulagway”); and John Vëantur (“Char Char”).
Hands down, 2018 was the Year of Karencitta, “Cebuana.”