|
Monday, January 30, 2006
Costanilla: Mesmerizing Grant
By Sam Costanilla
Spot light
WINNER. This 10-year-old boy richly deserves the title Best Interpreter in this year’s Cebu Popular Music Festival, a.k.a. Cebu Pop, whose grand prize winning song he also performed.
Nobody can question the decision reached by the panel of judges, chaired by Government media head Cerge Remonde. They picked Grant Dosdos, a neophyte, who easily bested the veterans, some of whom have already performed as professional singers abroad. When Grant sang Tatay, Pauli Na, it was as if the audience at the New Cebu Coliseum had frozen. It was as if time had stopped. Grant mesmerized everybody with his forceful yet soothing voice, as well as enchanting stage presence. The little boy from Nivel, Busay, this city was in full control of the massive stage and he succeeded in wowing the general public with this fantastic performance. They instantly fell in love with him!
* * *
CONVINCING. Tatay, Pauli Na, a Dennis Gregory Sugarol and Gween Cresencio collaaboration, is a very nice son that expresses a child’s longing for his father to come home. What made this entry so convincing theme-wise is the fact that lyricist Gween’s kids have always been asking her why their dad has to work abroad, depriving them of his fatherly love.
Gween wrote the very appropriate lyrics that were set to music by Dennis in less than 15 minutes. Not only that. Their getting Grant as the song’s interpreter added credibility to their work. His own dad is working overseas. So when Grant intoned, “Tatay, pauli na,” he was not only singing the entry; he was actually begging his dad to come home as well. And he was speaking—or singing—for the rest of the children similarly situated.
* * *
POTENTIAL. Grant is a potential big-time entertainer especially, if he is given the right break and excellent exposure. I interviewed him for two solid hours one evening on my Bantay Radyo program. I found out that this lone child of Osias and Herminia Dosdos didn’t hesitate after Dennis asked him to interpret Tatay, Pauli Na. The boy grabbed the offer right there and then, obviously unaware of the fact that he was into something grand, the Cebu Pop being the major songwriting-cum-singing competition in town. Little did Grant know that his participation would bring him to where he is now. But he has to finish his studies first before seriously considering a career in entertainment. Professional singing can wait, Grant.
* * *
RESTAGING. Those who failed to watch the Cebu Pop last Jan. 13 will have the chance to see and hear the original interpreters of the 12 songs next month. The Cebu Pop will have a restaging on Feb. 14, starting 8 p.m., at the Talisay City Hall grounds. The presentation, sans the judging aspect, is open to the general public. You are all invited. Of course, Grant will be there as he will sing again his winning piece.
* * *
ALMOST. A government official here almost slapped and kicked the sing-along master of an uptown nightspot after he was reminded about the rules governing the limited number of songs per table. The official who had one too many attempted to physically harm the sing-along master. Fortunately, there were cooler heads around. The sing-along master is now asking for a lifestyle check on the drunk government official who frequents the nightspot with his officemates.
* * *
DIVIDED. This club of aging “mediamen” is a house divided over the issue whether to recruit its former president under whose term the club enjoyed tremendous popularity and an unblemished credibility and integrity. While the majority wants the ex-leader to join them again, obviously to “deodorize” and rehabilitate the group’s tarnished image, a few others just don’t want him to return to the club without giving any valid reason. The guy has vowed never to return to the club. He is even happy that his name was deleted from the club’s roster of past and incumbent officials.
(E-mail: samcost@yahoo.com or text 0906-9596888).
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (January 30, 2006 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here.
|
|
[return to top]
[home]
[network page]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
SUPERBALITA
WEEKEND
|
