NCCA features Kundiman Finals Showdown

THE National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), led by its chairman national artist Virgilio Almario and Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino, featured Konsiyerto ng Kundiman last July 31, 2018, at the Abelardo Hall of the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

The concert is the culmination of the Timpalak Kundiman 2018, a competition for the search of original kundiman compositions as part of the celebration of Buwan ng Panitikan or National Literature Month last April.

Three set of composers were declared winners, among them are: April Misa and Vim Nadera for “Pag-ibig,” interpreted by Ivan Neri; Anton Luis Avila and Stephanie Quintin for “Kabiyak,” interpreted by Lara Maigue; and Rica Aquino for “Kundiman 2600,” interpreted by Ronan Ferrer. Each winning entry received P100,000 for the cash prize, together with certificates and kudyapi. Kudyapi is a lute with eight frets and two strings – one used for making the melody and one is for the drone, predominating in the northern groups in Mindanao – the Subanun, Maguindanaon, Maranao, Higaonon, and the Agusan Manobo.

The judges of the awards were respected music personas in practice and in the academe namely, Alfredo Buenaventura; Eugene de los Santos; Prof. Josefino Toledo; Rey Lucero and Ruth Mabanglo.

Dr. Michael Coroza, poet and director of the Timpalak Kundiman 2018 explained the importance of kundiman as part of Filipino identity, both in music and literature. He said, Ito ay ang pamana ng ating lahi.” He noted that hugot had been around before it is prevalent now. In the current times, millenials are fascinated in hugot—the sentimental and even melancholic concepts expressed in poetry, film and pop culture.

Coroza citedthe poet Jose Corazon de Jesus or widely known Huseng Batute and National Artist Felipe de Leon Sr. as pioneers for composing sentimental Filipino lyrics or kundiman. Ivan Neri who sang Misa and Nadera’s “Pag-ibig” won the special award for the best performer or interpreter of the kundiman piece.

For questions on this press release please contact Mr. Rene S. Napeñas, Head of the NCCA Public Affairs and Information Office through numbers 527-2192 loc 625 or email your queries to ncca.paio@gmail.com.