A 24-YEAR-OLD freelance graphic and visual artist is the very first Visayan Music Awards (VizMA) grand champion.
Ferdinand Aragon's "Matag Piraso" was hailed the winning song in the competition, trumping nine others in the top 10 who also performed at the finals night at the Oakridge Pavillon, Mandaue City.
Aragon recieved P100,000 and a scholarship worth P150,000 from Thames International’s Innovation and Creative Enterprise Program.
Yan and Adonis Durado's "Balitaw" won second place while Melay Libres' "Lingi-a" placed third, receiving P75,000 and P50,000, respectively.
VizMA was organized by the Sacred Heart School for Boys Batch 1985 Foundation Inc., and endorsed by the Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas.
“I’m really happy not just about winning but because Visayan Music is being presented not just in the Philippines but to the whole world... that there is this kind of advocacy in our region,” Aragon said.
Aragon described “Matag Piraso” as a song for the brokenhearted who wants to collect its shattered pieces and love again. He admitted that the song is fiction and did not come from his personal experiences.
The songwriter revealed that the "Matag Piraso" was experimental for him as most of the songs he wrote were indie-folk, writing a ballad was something new for him.
“I specifically wrote 'Matag Piraso' for VizMa. I really challenged myself to write something new for this event. With God’s help, it won VizMa,” Aragon said.
Aragon said he will be joining this year’s Himig Handog, a national competition by ABS-CBN and Star Music. He also guested in ABS-CBN’s Sunday noontime show, ASAP for Linggo Ng Musikang Pilipino representing Visayas on July 28.
Special awards were also given to outstanding finalists in different categories.
The VizMA 2019 Sun Texters’ Choice award went to “Hit and Run” composed by Neil Sarada, lyrics by John Peterson Villarin and was interpreted by Chingkie Maylon, Jake Batiencela, and Markee.
Gail Blanco received the Best Interpreter award for “Sama Lang Kanimo” composed by Father Reymund Quito.
Max Surban and Monsignor Rudy Villanueva, represented by Father Benedict Tao, were given the Bahandi Lifetime Achievement Award for their great impact and contribution to Visayan Music.
Surban entertained the crowd with his unique sense of humor and performed his popular hit, “Baleleng.” Popular Cebuana musician Karencitta also perfomed at the event.
Over 500 songs were submitted in VizMA’s pioneering year. The organizers of VizMA are hopeful that more and more people will join the competition. It aims to recognize men and women who have played an important role in the promotion of the Visayan language, culture and music. (Michael Rey M. Cortes)