feature

Open notes

YouTube could have promised some artists an international legion of fans and a free trip abroad. But still, there’s no place like home.

Home is where the heart is for the interpreters, lyricists, and composers of the 29th Cebu Pop Music Festival, traditionally conducted on the Friday before the Sinulog parade. These musicians may have the freedom to choose their concept, but no matter how they differ, one theme has kept them aligned: the Cebuano heart for novelty.

“The competition is open to whatever that comes to their mind, whatever they feel, whatever they want to express. It is open,” says event’s manager Gloria Villarojo of Soundtraxx.

Put your spoon and fork down. Pungko-Pungko, an entry written by Roy Tabasa with the musical arrangement by Russel Alegado, describes the Cebuanos’ appetite for affordable and exotic street food. Or perhaps, it is the comfort of eating with one’s hands. With different vocal approaches, Riel, Rico, and Roy Tabasa will interpret the song’s message.

Fortune tellers may have predictions, but still the question remains: Where do you go from here? This is a thought-provoking line from Manolito Languido’s Asa Paingon, interpreted by Nancy Navasquez.

If you’ve got nowhere to go, mothers know best in Bernard Gocela’s Ang Tambag ni Nanay. Reflecting on his own mother, Bernard writes: “Higala patalinghogi kining awit ko hinoktoki. Ang tambag ni Nanay ayaw og isalikway. Balik na, biya-i na, ang kinabuhi mong gubot. Bag-oha na.”

But again, it’s still up to the voice within. One’s determination starts a single change in Danilo Abapo’s Bulawanong Tambag: “Planoha baya ang imong pagabuhaton. Buhata gayod ug ikaw mag-malampuson. Bulahan ang tawo nga dili tapulan kay makasugakod sa tanan nga kalisdanan.”

Other original entries include K. K. K., Tsmabang Musikero, Sa Ngalan Sa Nasud, Tim-os Ko’ng Gugma, Bugtawon Ang Kagahapon, Kami Ang Kabataan, Sulti Pa Ka, and Tinuohuang Buktot.

Instead of an orchestra, minus-one tapes will accompany the participants to avoid technical problems. “Before we didn’t have the budget (during the 9th competition). Now, we have the budget, but most composers and interpreters suggest to use minus-one accompaniment. With this, there would be no reason to blame the instrumentalists,” explains Sam Costanilla, who’s hosting the event with Pinoy Dream Academy scholar Apple Abarquez.

Vying for the first prize, all 12 contenders will compete on Jan. 16 at The Cebu Coliseum at 8 p.m. The grand prize winner will receive P150, 000. (Clint Holton P. Potestas)

[back to main page] [back to cebu page] [top]