IN A historic first with the aim to promote local artistry and love for Philippine music, the City of Bogo in northern Cebu hosted the Visayas qualifiers for a national music competition.
Bogo City welcomed five contingents from different places in the Visayas at the National Music Competitions for Young Artists (NAMCYA) @50: Gintong Pamana (Golden Legacy) Semifinals-Visayas Cluster that was held on Saturday, September 9, 2023.
The event showcased the deep love Filipinos have for music, with NAMCYA playing a vital role in the country's cultural landscape since its formal establishment in 1973 through Presidential Proclamation 1173, which was later amended in November 1988.
The proclamation aimed to preserve, develop, and promote Philippine music as an art form and cultural catalyst, designating the last week of November each year as National Music Week, with NAMCYA competitions at the forefront.
NAMCYA has consistently uncovered exceptional musical talents from across the Philippines, thanks to the dedication of numerous musicians, trainers, and administrators tasked with selecting the finest artists from all seventeen regions annually, the group said in a statement.
During the screening process in Bogo City, the groups that stood out in the semi-finals of the Junior Rondalla Category were:
* Iloilo City National High School Himig Kwerdas Rondalla
* Isabela National High School Youth Rondalla-Negros
* Jose Garcia Montelibano Negros Occidental High School Rondalla
* Lapu-Lapu Community Rondalla
* City of Bogo Science and Arts Academy Rondalla
The City of Bogo Science and Arts Academy Rondalla and the Iloilo City National High School Himig Kwerdas Rondalla will represent the Visayas in the national competition.
The groups are set to compete on the national stage in November at the iconic Metropolitan Theater in Manila, where they will vie for top honors alongside other talented groups from Luzon and Mindanao.
NAMCYA operates under the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, reaffirming its commitment to nurturing musical excellence across the Philippines. (KJF/With PR)