Song fest to honor Camomot’s good deeds

CEBU, Philippines - Organizers are now busy preparing for the first songwriting festival that seeks to recognize the deeds and virtues of the late Archbishop Teofilo Camomot, the Cebuano prelate who is a candidate for sainthood.

In a press conference the other day, the organizing committee shared plans and preparations for the first AwiTeofilo and also announced the 12 best songs selected from 22 submitted entries.

Father Mhar Vincent Balili, the event's project director, told reporters that proceeds from ticket sales will go to buying the property where a museum for Camomot will be built.

Mother Ma. Louella Grace Buscato, the event director, said the evening event will be held at the newly-developed museum site situated beside the motherhouse of the Daughters of St. Teresa in Barangay Villadolid, Carcar City.

Buscato is the mother superior of the religious congregation, which was founded by Camomot who is a Carcar City native.

She clarified the activity is not a contest but rather an offering for the late Cebuano archbishop to commemorate his birth anniversary on March 3, the same day when the 12 finalists will be performing their masterpieces.

Balili, also the vice postulator for the cause of canonization of Camomot, said while construction is still ongoing, they are targeting to complete the museum site by March 1.So far, contractors are on track with the desired schedule of the construction works, he added.

Buscato said the new museum site can accommodate 7,000 people for the songwriting festival.

She said only 500 tickets are left and sales are expected to generate over P1 million.

Aside from raising funds, Buscato said the event is aimed at propagating Camomot's values and wonderful deeds, especially those he did for the poor.

The religious congregation also announced it will sponsor a mass wedding for 60 couples from far-flung areas and poor communities, 53 couples have already signed up.

No other than Cebu Archbishop José Palma will preside over the mass wedding on February 28, said Buscato.

Given that this is their first time to stage such a religious service, she said they draw inspiration from Camomot to continue his pastoral mission to the marginalized sector. (FREEMAN)