Friday, January 11, 2008 Serna: Shows with Piolo, Sam, Pilita, Malu, and Dulce By Roger Serna: Sounds and images
TODAY is the second day of the nine-day novena for the feast of the Holy Child, more popularly known among Cebuanos, and the entire archipelago as Señor Santo Niño.
The Cebu Provincial Government is among the pilgrim sponsors of the masses of the day. This early, excitement over the coming feast is already rising. I hope the fervor of the faith is equally intensifying.
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Speaking of the feast, one activity that signaled the start of the celebration is the grand finals of the Huniño Original Song Writing Competition held last Monday, Jan. 7, at the Sto. Niño Pilgrim Center.
I arrived at the venue while the Huniño Symphony Orchestra was playing the overture of tunes related to the feast, including the gozos (religious songs) to the Sto. Niño. Awesome! Take a bow, Maestro Obet del Rosario.
Unlike last year, the weather was quite cooperative. Father Dan de los Angeles and Maryrose V. Maghuyop were the program hosts. Father Dan almost stole the thunder away from the finalists and the winners with his humor.
Ultimate Born Diva winner Raki Vega wowed the crowd with three numbers and in the process endeared her more to her fellow Cebuanos as well as guests from other places.
The top prizes went to Santo Niño, Kaloy-i Ako (by Jafet Vistal and interpreted by Wilson Mendez Jr.), Daghang Salamat, O Santo Niño (by Emmanuel Abellana and interpreted by Danica Caballes) and Viva Santo Niño (by Niño James Banares and Ma. Lyndie Abella and interpreted by Wilson Po), winning first, second and third slots, respectively.
Wilson Mendez was voted best interpreter. Danica, the youngest interpreter, showed promise of following in the footsteps of Vina Morales who started as a child warbler.
The song Santo Niño, Kausaban Ko, which told of the repentance of inmates and interpreted by jail officers (one of whom was the composer himself, JO1 Melvin Girasol), was the most applauded. It led me to think that it would land in the top three slots.
Needless to say, the event was a resounding success. Congratulations!
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Until today, I still insist on using the phrase “Sinulog grand parade” instead of “Mardi Gras,” which some broadcast and print colleagues are using. This is because I believe the Sinulog is not a Mardi Gras because, as my reference tells me, the Mardi Gras is done on the Tuesday (thus the ‘mar’ syllable), immediately preceding Ash Wednesday.
Furthermore, while the Mardi gras is purely merrymaking, the Sinulog is not. So, there.
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One of the Sinulog events that I’m looking forward to is the concert entitled “Bongga Ka Day!” It stars Pilita Corrales, Dulce and Malu Barry. Of course, these performers are no strangers to the entertainment scene (except perhaps to those who pretend to be ignorant about “local” performers).
These names alone conjure pure entertainment not capitalizing on anything else, like including production stunts, but purely on exceptional vocal quality and showmanship.
Bongga Ka Day! is scheduled on Friday, Jan. 18 at the Cebu International. Convention Center. Show starts at 8 p.m.
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For the female species and the young set, “Heartthrobs sa Sinulog” can be an irresistible magnet. The concert stars today’s hot performers (not to mention controversial) Piolo Pascual and Sam Milby in the same show that drew hordes of admirers to the Music Museum, Aliw Theater and in the United States and Canada.
Joining the two are dance floor dynamite John Prats, funny lady Pokwang and other surprise guests. Heartthrobs sa Sinulog will be staged at the Pacific grand ballroom of the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino on Saturday, Jan. 19.
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Those who have been following the Sinulog festivities will find the annual event incomplete without the Ms. Cebu beauty search in the list of activities. The search has become the springboard for homegrown lasses for bigger opportunities in the field of modeling, show biz and other fields.
This year’s batch promises yet another stellar line-up of head-turners. The pretty ladies are Tifanny Michelle Cabrera, Carolyn Flores, Kathy Lynn Atuel, Priscilla Cassandra Gonzales, Angela Martie Alfeche, Kirstie Lynn Babor, Priscilla Mae Honorio, Karen Nacario, Marjorie Jane Tan, Sian Elizabeth Maynard, Girley Gabriel and Jam Charish Libatog.
Take part in the selection by voting online. Drop by the booths at the Ayala Center and SM City Cebu for details.
