Monday, April 28, 2008
Costanilla: Cebuano singers in ‘Tingog’
By Sam Costanilla
Spotlight
COMPOSER Paul Melendez, singer Jeanne Torrefranca and this writer have finally agreed to list down names of local singers that we intend to tap for the historic recording of Paul’s grand-prize winning song, titled Usa Ka Tingog, in the tradition of We Are The World.
Historic because this is the very first venture of its kind as far as the Cebuano/Visayan music scene is concerned where the interpreters will be made to sing a few words, if not a whole line, of Usa Ka Tingog. It was originally performed by Leah Mae during the Cebu Popular Music Festival a few years back. Paul, Jeanne and I aim to produce this particular song featuring a lot of voices.
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IN fact, we have already fixed the rehearsal schedule: May 17, June 28 and July 19 at Baseline Restaurant. We are aiming to record the song on Aug. 8.
Through this write-up, I am calling on the following singers to say yes to our invitation for them to be part of this historic project: Eva Santos, Gil Maningo, Novo Bono Jr., Elvis Somosot, Leah Mae, Maricel Suaring, Dante Luzon, Raki Vega (she’s now based in Manila), Sarah Rivera, Baby Condeno, Linda Dajao-Sayson, Ester Alferez, Gani Villarojo, Eking Fernandez, Boyet Lim, Leo Patrick Acibar, Lauro Flores, Ivan Dumdum (he also already arranged the song), Chad Borja, Manny Lapingcao, Myles Carciller, Chiko Pineda, Danica Caballes, Girlie Laspiñas, Grant Dosdos, Nanette Dilao, Windy Prado, Kim Sanchez, Dr. Warfe Engracia, Roy Caballero, Bob Jamiro, Esmene Blanco and Jane Vestil. Paul, Jeanne and yours truly will also sing during the recording.
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YES, producing Usa Ka Tingog with these singers is an ambitious undertaking. A tall order. It’s not easy to gather all of them just to let each singer render a few words, if not an entire line of the song. The thrill of gathering several interpreters to sing this particular Melendez composition as well as the thought of promoting unity and speaking as one voice, as the Cebuano title suggests, have encouraged Paul, Jeanne and this writer to pursue this ambitious musical undertaking. Those singers that I’ve mentioned earlier are asked to call or text me right away. We need their commitment to be part of a historic musical venture in Cebu.
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MY very good friend Carlo J. Caparas, the country’s top teleserye writer, should be congratulated for his being the Ratings and Teleserye King. His Cebuano wife Donna Villa must be the happiest and proudest person nowadays. She texted me that direk Carlo’s newest accolade is due to the fact that his teleseryes, like Joaquin Bordado, Kamandag and Tasya Fantasya, are lording it over the ratings game. Incidentally, per Donna’s text message to me, she and direk Carlo will be coming to Cebu this week for their much-deserved and long-overdue rest and recreation here.
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THIS local church official is being chided even by his fellow priests for his tactlessness and arrogance. A woman provincial legislator is also assailing him for his “un-priestly” pronouncements and actions. (E-mail: samcost@yahoo.com or text 09268443888)
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (April 28, 2008 issue)
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