Sam Costanilla
Spotlight

RONDALLA. It’s nice to know that some of our towns and cities have already created. In fact, they have activated their respective rondalla groups in answer to the challenge from Gov. Gwen Garcia in line with her program on cultural revival involving the youth. It is heartening to watch and hear these rondalla groups whose members are mostly high school students who have passion and love for music. They should be emulated by their peers. (Note: Rondalla is an ensemble of stringed instruments.

The word rondalla is from the Spanish ronda, meaning “serenade.”)

Sun.Star accepts donations for victims of Typhoon Ondoy

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WINNERS. So last Wednesday afternoon at the Cebu International Convention Center plenary hall, I emceed the third Cebu Provincial Rondalla Competition, another cultural project of the Provincial Government. It was implemented by the Provincial Council for the Welfare of Children and chaired by both the governor and Board Member Agnes Magpale. The Dalaguete Rondalla, whose conductor was Dr. Judith Tumabiene, took home the grand champion prize while the Talisay City Rondalla, conducted by Humildan Daclan, and the Minglanilla Rondalla, which was under the baton of Ciriaco Gumban, were picked as the second and third placers, respectively.

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SONGWRITING. After the rondalla competition, we then proceeded to the Children’s Popular Music Festival, a songwriting-cum-singing competition whose aim is to encourage Cebu ‘s teeners to hone their skills at writing original compositions and singing them as well. I don’t know if other local government units in the country are doing a similar event. I think it’s only Cebu that has this kind of competition in which talented children from the island’s towns and cities are spotlighted on as composers and interpreters.

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CHAMPIONS. The judges must have had a very difficult task because all 12 grand finalists did their best onstage. Chastily Jean Nebria of Oslob won the grand prize of P15,000 for her composition Pasalamat. She also sang it well. Ellaine Estrera of Poro, Camotes went home P10,000 richer after singing her own work Madala Rag Smile while Carmen’s Mary Rose Sarino was the third placer. She also interpreted her own song Tingog Kabataan and won P7,500. Danao City ‘s Sandy Rhey Gomez, who sang his work Kinaiyahan, was chosen best interpreter.

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SUPPORT. While some mayors fully supported their respective bets, the other young composers complained that their mayors didn’t assist them even with bus fares during rehearsals and recording of their songs for the CD album production. It’s sad to note that these mayors do not appreciate music and were not around to give at least some moral support to their finalists who sang in the competition bringing the name of their towns and cities.

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SINGER. Tomorrow, Tuesday, watch my weekly TV show Sam Enchanted Evening on CCTN 47 or Skycable 56 from 10 to 11 p.m. Enrique “Harana King” Fernandez will be my guest singer. By the way, Eking, as I fondly call him, and his wife Patricia recently marked their 40th or ruby wedding anniversary. The presence of their US-based daughter Geraldine, who has been away from home for the past 13 years, made the occasion more meaningful. She is currently holding a very sensitive position in a large American financial institution.

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OUSTER. This aide of a local politician has just been ousted by the boss. The cause of the rift is their conflict on a political seat. (E-mail: samcost@yahoo.com or call/text 09053434545)