Monday, February 04, 2008 Costanilla: ‘Some Enchanted’ dinner concert By
Sam Costanilla Spotlight
THE Cebu United Radio and Television Artists (Curta) Corp. is embarking on a post-Valentine fund-raising project, a dinner-cum-concert, on Feb. 16 at the Baseline grand ballroom. This endeavor is designed to raise funds for Curta’s medical aid program since most of its members are retired drama talents, writers, directors, soundmen, spinners and others. Since they are no longer working, and therefore are no longer earning, getting hospitalized becomes a major problem for them and their families. Curta founding chairman and president Emil Rizada Jr., vice chairman Edgar Gutierrez and their fellow officers should be commended for doing this kind of project which is definitely beneficial for all club members.
* * *
THE dinner-cum-concert titled “Some Enchanted Evening” two Saturdays from now is for a noble cause, that’s why I’m endorsing this event to all of you.
Your presence in the dinner-show means a lot to Curta as all ticket proceeds will go directly to its medical aid fund. For a price of P300 per ticket, you are already assured of a sumptuous dinner plus a night of love songs as well as non-stop ballroom and modern dancing. The performers include Dante Luzon, Baby Condeno, Ester Alferez, Cora Rosales-Jayma, Athens Engracia, Eking Fernandez, accordion wizard Bebe Rizada and some surprise artists. This writer is their pianist.
* * *
IT is heartening to know that despite Curta’s being a new and young club, some kind hearted individuals and establishments have financially supported Curta in staging “Some Enchanted Evening.” They include Deputy Speaker Raul del Mar, Rep. Tony Cuenco, Cordova Mayor Addy Sitoy, Dr. Claver Ramos, Mariquita Salimbangon-Yeung of MSY Charitable Foundation, Cebu Holdings Inc., Vicsal Foundation Inc., Visayan Electric Company Inc., Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Arthur Guani & KQ Trading, Vice Gov. Greg Sanchez Jr., Councilor Joey Daluz, Councilor Edgar Labella, Elmer Labella, Estrellita Dzenis and Dr. Emmanuel Labella. To them, words are not enough to express Curta’s sincere gratitude. By the way, I am selling tickets to this event so please feel free to call or text me at 09268443888 anytime for reservations. Please, help a noble cause, friends.
* * *
SOMEONE who claims to be a songwriter texted me to express his disgust over the inclusion of some composers who made it to the magic 12 in previous Cebu Popular Music Festival screenings. The texter thinks the screeners and some of the composers have been conniving to have their (the songwriters) entries included in the winning circle. He also says only those professional composers have made it to the magic 12.
* * *
AS the annual festival’s publicist, may I explain that there has never been and there will never be any connivance between screeners and songwriters in picking entries that deserve to be in the magic 12. If some songwriters always make it to the magic 12, it means they are really good and their compositions are really qualified for the competition. In fairness to us screeners, there is no way that we can find out who the composers are while we are in the process of screening their songs. We only know their names after we have picked the top 12 entries and retrieved their respective entry forms that are inside separate envelopes.
* * *
HERE is my unsolicited advice to songwriters whose entries fail to impress the screeners. First, improve your songs by making sure that the lyrics and music are perfectly done. Second, do not write your name or put any marking on your lyric sheets that we screeners have to get hold of while listening to your compositions.
* * *
THIS self-proclaimed radio commentator approached a local television station and asked management that he be allowed to handle a talk program, but he was turned down outright. The guy belongs to the so-called ACDC (attack and collect, defend and collect) group of notorious “mediamen.” (E-mail: samcost@yahoo.com or text 09268443888)
