Monday, January 29, 2007 Costanilla: Cebu Pop, Political Rally? By Sam Costanilla Spotlight
ONE of our readers, Emmarie Ocampo (emm_oc@yahoo.com), e-mailed her observation on the recent Cebu Popular Music Festival. Here’s what she wrote: “Sir, I should congratulate all those behind the successful staging of this year’s Cebu Pop, but I also hope that they will take my comments in a positive light. The entire show was, as usual, very impressive and fantastic. We like the hosting style of Sam and Lou because they didn’t do a lot of ad libs which could have turned the show amateurish and dragging. We also like the simple yet attractive stage setup because it didn’t distract us. Of course, all 12 songs were great. Our balikbayan friends bought several compact discs of this year’s Cebu Pop. The live band accompaniment was truly great.”
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“HOWEVER, Sir Gullas’ message was a long-winded one and it kinda bored us. Next time, he should be reminded by the director to make his speech short because the Cebu Pop is a cultural event, not a political rally. We also didn’t like those intermission numbers rendered by divas Eva (Santos), Maria Donna and Nerissa. Why were they allowed to sing English songs and not Cebu Pop compositions? Lastly, why did the organizers stop giving prizes or incentives to neophyte songwriters? Kindly enlighten us through your column.”
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EMMARIE’s observation is valid and well taken. As the publicity guy and emcee of the annual songwriting competition, let me explain that Rep. Eduardo Gullas’ speech was not that long. His points were so important in relation to the Cebu Pop, his brainchild, and its mission of uplifting the local music industry. Emmarie was obviously exaggerating in stating the words political rally. Gullas didn’t use the occasion in promoting his political stock, did he?
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AS to Emmarie’s comment on those three Cebuano divas belting out English songs, let me stress that those pieces were the very same songs that made them win their respective grand prizes in separate international singing competitions that they participated in. Nothing wrong with that. As guest performers, letting them sing English songs was such a welcome respite after those 12 original Cebuano songs.
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ON the issue of stopping the giving of prizes to neophyte songwriters, it has been eventually found out by Cebu Pop organizers that such practice didn’t actually serve its purpose, which is to encourage budding songwriters to participate. In the past, several Cebu Pop regulars or veterans submitted entries but used other names (supposedly those of neophyte composers) in order to earn the additional cash incentive alloted for first-time entrants. Enlightened now, Emmarie?
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MY very good friend Teena Fajatin, one of the big bosses of Marie Ernestine School, has every reason to be ecstatic these days. In a text message to me, Teena happily announced that her school will be presenting the musical play Princess Bride as front act of Lea Salonga’s concert on Feb. 14 at Waterfront Cebu City Hotel in Lahug. The play starts at exactly 6 p.m.
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TEENA added that her daughter Peachy Fajatin-Pegarido is directing the play and that tickets are at P4,000 and P3,000 (with dinner) and P1,000 (without dinner). Some talented students of MES have been tapped to star in Princess Bride such as Ian David Utterback as Westley, Stephanie Palanas as Buttercup and 1989 school alumna Jamna Gicole as the Mother. Take advantage of this rare opportunity where you will havetwo magnificent shows in one night. The tickets are now available at Ayala Center Cebu and all campuses of Marie Ernestine School.
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THIS commentator is no longer heard on the air after the radio station where he used to broadcast decided to stop airing his program. The guy’s political patron no longer paid for his airtime and, in fact, he still has substantial payables to the network. The station employees jumped with joy upon learning about the commentator’s unfortunate fate.
