A SONGWRITING competition commemorating the life, teachings, and values of Venerable Teofilo “Lolong” Camomot, the late Cebuano archbishop who hailed from Carcar City, will return in March after a five-year hiatus.
The Daughters of St. Teresa (DST), a religious congregation founded by Camomot, has announced the third season of “AwiTeofilo,” a songwriting festival dedicated to honoring the legacy of Camomot, with the finals night scheduled on Sunday, March 3, 2024 at the DST Compound in Barangay Valladolid, Carcar City in southern Cebu.
March 3 is also the birthdate of Camomot.
Tickets for the event are available at the DST Motherhouse and St. Catherine of Alexandria Parish Office in Carcar City, Patria de Cebu, Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño de Cebu, and Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral in Cebu City.
Interested attendees may also contact (032) 413-0292 or 0998-9999849 or visit the Venerable Teofilo Camomot Facebook page for inquiries.
The DST, in a letter sent to SunStar Cebu on Feb. 27, said the revival of the songwriting competition marks a step in preserving and promoting the teachings and values championed by Camomot.
The last edition of AwiTeofilo was held in 2018, while its inaugural edition happened a year prior.
Finalists
The DST has already selected 12 finalists from a pool of songwriters from different parts of the country.
The submission of original compositions was announced on Nov. 6, 2023 and ended on Dec. 15 of the same year.
After undergoing a selection process by the screening board, this year’s finalists are the following:
“Nang Dahil sa Iyo, Teofilo” by Hardie Bigcas
“Teofilo, Your Love Shines” by Joseph Barulo & Mary Donnell Barulo
“Paragon of Virtue” by Angelo Morales
“Salamat sa Gugma Mo” by Dionilo Abella
“Clay in the Potter’s Hands” by Jay-arr Librando
“Bokasyon sa Paghigugma” by Katrina Bacalso
“Ang Diyos Anaa sa Atong Kasing-kasing” by Riel Tabasa & Baby Tabasa-Suan
“Halandong Teofilo” by Bradrey Ledesma
“O, Dear Teofilo” by Saint Anthon Madaya
“Huni sa Pagsangpit” by Arnel Samson
“A Humble Servant of God” by Mateo Barulo Jr.
“Balaan Ka ug Gasa sa Diyos” by Fray Samuel Eyas, OAR
The prizes for the winning entries are as follows: P100,000 for the grand winner, P70,000 for the second prize, and P50,000 for the third prize.
A consolation prize of P20,000 will be given to the non-winners.
In addition to the major awards, the DST will also present a special prize of P10,000 for the best interpreter.
The DST said the proceeds of the event will be used for the construction of the Archbishop Teofilo B. Camomot Center of Spirituality Building in Barangay Valladolid in Carcar City, aiming to establish it as a sanctuary for reflection and spiritual guidance.
Camomot was born in Carcar City on March 3, 1914. He was a priest known for his piety, charitable works, and devotion to serving others.
According to reports, he dedicated his life promoting spirituality and helping the less fortunate.
He tragically passed away in a car accident on Sept. 27, 1988 in San Fernando town at the age of 74.
In 2022, he was declared Venerable by Pope Francis. This recognition marks an important step toward his beatification and canonization as a saint. / KJF