NINE-YEAR-OLD Yessha De La Calzada's eyes light up as she received three major awards in the recently concluded 39th Cebu Pop Music Festival at the IEC Pavilion, Friday night.
De La Calzada won the People's Choice Award, Best Interpreter and Grand Champion for "Awit sa Pagpakabana."
Jade Castro, the composer of the winning song "Kabataang Bag-ong Katilingban" expressed his delight over the win and gave praises to De La Calzada.
He said he knew the young girl will give a beautiful rendition and interpretation of the song after seeing her on YouTube.
De La Calzada and Castro both expressed their gratitude for the guidance of the blessed Sto Niño.
"Kabataang Bag-ong Katilingban" was arranged by Russel Alegado.
The song was inspired by the youth's dream of making their lives better because they are the future of the nation.
"Wa gyod mi nag-expect makadaog mi. Amoa lang is to perform lang gyod," said Asser Dilao, one of the intepreters of Hugot Pas Huot.
Jesson Albaran, composer of Kon Pwede Lang, centered on the hashtag "silver linings" as their motivation for the festival. 'Silver linings' is a common catch-phrase inspired by 2018 Miss Universe Catriona Gray.
"Whatever happens, go lang gyod." Albaran said.
The winners expressed their gratitude to Señor Sto. Niño, their family, and friends for all their efforts and support throughout the competition.
The festival set three categories for the contest proper namely 'Awit sa Gugma' featuring pop and ballad songs, 'Huni sa Kasingkasing' featuring all genres, and 'Awit sa Pagpakabana' with compositions about awareness on social issues.
Each category consists of four finalists rendering their vocal prowess as a tribute to Señor Santo Niño on the event's 39th edition.
Among the 12 finalists, three singers emerged as the grand champion from the three categories respectively.
In the Awit sa Gugma category, Kon Pwede Lang (composer: Jesson Albaran, arranger: Russel Alegado, interpreter: Gerlyn Ville Abaño) bagged first place.
Hugot Pas Huot (composer and arranger: Jeff Escarda, lyricist: Adonis Durado/Asser Dilao, interpreters: DJ Mae Dente and Asser Dilao) are named champions in the Huni sa Kasingkasing category.
Lastly, in the Awit sa Pagpakabana category, Kabataan Bag-ong Katilingban (composer/lyricist: Castro, arranger: Russell Alegado, interpreter: Yessha De La Calzada) emerged at the top.
For the minor awards, Kabataan Bag-ong Katilingban won People's Choice Award and Best Interpreter while Sugbong Nahiusa (composer, lyricist, arranger: Clark Geraldizo, interpreters: Kirsten Ila Mari Avila and Clark Geraldizo) won Best Lyric Video.
The Cebu Pop Music Festival is a Bisaya song-writing contest founded by Talisay Mayor Eduardo Gullas, chair of the Cebu Arts Foundation. The festival was founded in the 1980s. (Trina Louise Rivera, Ivan Gregory Tan, Ella Brette Llego and Kenneth Dwight/USJ-R Interns)