IN AN effort to continue the mission of evangelization through music and literature, the Augustinian friars of the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño de Cebu announced the return of the Huniño or Huni Halad alang kang Senyor Sto. Niño after a five-year hiatus.
Now on its 13th edition, the religious songwriting festival dubbed the “Huniño Liturgical Song Writing Contest” will continue to feature the song writing prowess of local music producers as well as the singing talent of Cebuano interpreters to honor the Holy Child Jesus.
In a statement sent to SunStar Cebu on Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, the Augustian friars said this year’s competition will showcase choral interpretations of liturgical songs aiming to inspire the congregation and devotees to their active and full participation at the liturgy in honor of Señor Sto. Niño.
There are 12 finalists out of the 35 submitted entries that have been chosen to perform at the 13th Huniño Liturgical Song Writing Contest Concert Night on Wednesday, Aug. 23 at the Sto. Niño Pilgrim Center located in the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño de Cebu compound in Cebu City.
After undergoing selection by the Huniño Screening Board, this edition’s finalists are the following:
A CHILD’S PRAYER
Composer and lyricist: Katrina Lapuz Viagedor
ALL HAIL STO. NIÑO
Composer and lyricist: Dennis Martin
BALAANONG SALUMA, ALANG SA BALAANG BATA
Composer: Arnel Samson
Lyricist: Melquiadito Maambong Allego, MD
BLESS US O CHILD, STO. NIÑO
Composer and lyricist: Aldrin Tobes Barade
HARI SA KASING-KASING
Composer and lyricist: Fernando Quilo Rabutan
HUNI SA PAGDAYEG
Composer: Christian Charles Arong Acar
Lyricist: Carl lan A. Dris
MAHAL KA NAMIN, O SENYOR STO. NIÑO
Composer and lyricist: Niño James Bañares
O HOLY CHILD, LOVE INCARNATE
Composer and lyricist: Juan Miguel Bautista Exaltacion
STO. NIÑO, IKAW SA KASING-KASING KO
Composer and lyricist: Don Drexler Gala Oliverio
STO. NIÑO ANG PAN SA KINABUHI
Composer: Russel Mathew Tancio Estaño
Lyricist: Jezrael Robert Bihag Inoc
STO. NIÑO, CHILD JESUS
Composer: Neil Tambolero Salarda
Lyricist: John Willace Mariñas Tubalde
STO. NIÑO, PAGADAYGON KA
Composer: Jayvee Imperial Tagalog
Lyricist: Sheryl Jemina Cabillas
The prizes for the winning entries will include P100,000 and trophy for the first prize winner, P75,000 and trophy for the second prize winner, P50,000 and a trophy for the third prize winner, and a P20,000 cash prize and trophy to the non-winners as consolation prizes.
There will also be three special prizes that will be awarded for some entries. The winner of the Best Interpreter Award will receive a trophy and P10,000, while the Best Music Video Award winner will receive a trophy and P5,000.
A Devotee’s Choice Award will also be announced, and the winner will receive P5,000 and a trophy.
The submission of entries for the 13th Huniño Liturgical Song Writing Contest was open from May 5 to June 15.
In 2007, the first edition of Huniño was staged with the goal of spreading devotion through song by gathering creative song compositions for the liturgical festivities in honor of the Sto. Niño de Cebu.