3rd Children's Pop grand finals tonight

CEBU, Philippines - Faith, young love, gratitude to a mother, family, nature, and youthful optimism are among the themes of the 12 song finalists for the 3rd Children’s Popular Music Festival which will have its grand finals tonight, Nov. 4, at the Cebu International Convention Center in Mandaue City beginning 6pm.

The finalists are: May Lain Pa Ba by Joseph Venzon Dosdos (Sogod); Alang Kaninyo, Faith Nicolette Aniñon (Samboan); Tambag, Churchill Bulac (Carcar); Magkahiusa, Riejare Jhun Edullantes (Mandaue City); Pasalamat, Chastily Jean Nebria (Oslob); Binhi, Allan Pepito Jr. (Consolacion);

Tingog Kabataan by Mary Rose Sarino (Carmen); Mada’a Ra’g Smile, Ellaine Estrera (Poro); Kinaiyahan, Sandy Rhey Gomez (Danao City); ‘Awa Lang, Jan Ann Drew Teves (Naga); Pamilyang Nagkahiusa, Joecille Jee Escanillan (Toledo City); and, Pag-ampo sa Kahitas-an, Daisy Dawn Noel (Ronda).

Prizes at stake are trophies and cash prizes of P15,000 for the grand prize, P10,000 for the second prize and P7,500 for the third prize. The best interpreter will receive P2,000. The finalists will also receive participation prizes of P2,000 each.

The songs are outputs of the child representatives of the local government units of the province who were sent by their respective chief executives upon the invitation of the Provincial Council for the Welfare of Children, the prime mover of the songwriting festival.

The council is headed by Gov. Gwen Garcia and co-chaired by PB Member Agnes Magpale, the chairperson of the Committee on Women, Family and Minors. The children underwent a workshop on songwriting last July at the Intosan Resort in Danao City. Screening of the outputs-entries was done a week later. Another workshop was held last August to refine the songs and provide appropriate arrangements.

Award-winning composer Jude Gitamondoc was the resource person in the songwriting workshop. He was assisted by Gani and Gloria Villarojo of Soundtraxx Production Studio. Irving Guazon of Sakdap quartet, songwriter Fil Cabillar Jr. and Lorenzo Niñal of the group Missing Felimon also lent their expertise to the budding songwriters. Mentors from the Center for Pop headed by Cebu branch manager Jay Unchuan also gave lectures on voice and stage projection.

As in the previous two editions, a compact disc album of the finalist songs will be released on the finals night. The young songwriters will interpret their own compositions.

Prior to the grand finals, a rondalla competition will also be held in the same venue at 4 p.m. Children instrumentalists from Oslob, Borbon, Danao City, Argao, Dalaguete, Talisay City, Minglanilla, Aloguinsan and Sogod will fight it out for the cash prizes at stake with the contest piece “One Cebu.”