Saturday, January 20, 2007 Fourth attempt proves lucky for Cebu Pop’s grand winner
“BAKHO sa Anghel,” a song that condemns abortion, bested 11 other finalists and won for composer Frederick Villarojo the grand prize of P150,000 and a trophy in the 27th Cebu Pop Music Festival.
This is the second year that lyricist Gweendolyn Suico-Crescencio penned the lyrics of the grand prize-winning song, after last year’s “Tatay, Pauli Na,” a ballad for a father working overseas.
Also for the second straight year, a child performer won the Best Interpreter prize.
Eleven-year-old Genevieve Abuloc showed no jitters as she performed Villarojo’s song, a feat that earned her P10,000.
The fifth-grader from Sagbayan Elementary School in Bohol was among the finalists in the televised “Little Big Star” talent show last year, and has also won two other stage singing competitions in Bohol and Cebu.
Last year, 10-year-old Grant Dosdos won the interpreter’s prize.
It seemed a fitting ending to a night that began with the observation that “the highest form of praise for the Holy Child” is that offered through song.
So said Rep. Eduardo Gullas (Cebu, first district), founding chairman of the Cebu Arts Foundation Inc., in his opening speech at the competition staged at the Cebu Coliseum.
The congressman did not spare the vigilante-style killings in Cebu, as he urged those behind it to stop “the senseless and uncivilized so- called alternative” to crime prevention.
Before the start of the contest, Gullas also handed a lifetime achievement award to Msgr. Rudy Villanueva, for his support for the music festival.
Villarojo said it was the fourth time he joined the competition.
Each composer of the 12 best entries received P15,000, a plaque and gift packs from IPI. The lyricists received gift packs.
“Sugbuanon Ako” by Dennis Martin and “Kalandrakas” by Norman Jabonero won P100,000 for second place and P50,000 for third place, respectively.
The song “Lihok Kabataan” by Jun Cabillar won the texters’ choice award, with 1,600 votes.
In the middle of the competition, five Sto. Niño icons were raffled off. Award-winning pop performers Eva Santos, Rizza Navales and Maria Donna wowed the crowd with their individual songs.
The applause grew even louder when the three sang “Langit ug Yuta” together. Singer-actress Roselle Nava also performed two songs. (AIV)
