CEBU, Philippines — Ten songs have been rounded up for the upcoming Visayan Music Awards, which means ten more have been added to the local music library that boasts of the best talents from the famed Bisaya.
Organized by the Sacred Heart School for Boys Batch 1985 Foundation Inc., the Visayan Music Awards (VizMA) aims to recognize men and women who lent an important hand in the promotion of the Visayan language, culture and music.
With the songwriting competition as highlight, VizMA recently held a listening party for its 10 finalists at the Asmara Urban Village. It was the first time all the artists were gathered to perform their music.
According to VizMA Project Chairperson Barney Borja, over 500 entries were sent for them to review. The panel had their work cut out for them, with the task of sifting through the submissions to find the most prized gems proving itself to be quite a challenge. As a result, instead of the initially planned seven finalists, VizMA decided to extend the shortlist to ten.
“Dagha’g nindot. Lisud i-decide kay ganahan lagi ta mu-share. We’re really proud to launch the Top Ten. Kung pwede pa lang Top 15,” said Borja, a music composer and producer. “Daghan grabe, which is good and very inspring. As far as the US and Canada, Leyte, Bacolod, tanan. Ingon ana sila ka supportive.”
“We’re very happy. For the first year, overwhelming ang number,” he added. “We have high level of materials so we made sure to produce the materials very well.”
The screening process took about three to four weeks and involved the help of artists and producers from all over the country to make sure that they churned out the best of the best. VizMA also wanted to make sure that they become a platform to all sorts of music. They were open to submissions from anywhere in the world, so long as the music was prominently Visayan either in language or context.
During the listening party, VizMA finalists performed both the raw version of the music which was then followed by the VizMA-arranged and fine-tuned versions accompanied by lyric videos. The repertoire for the first VizMA is comprised of a diverse lineup of genres from pop, to jazz, alternative, ballads, and even EDM.
Making it to the finals are “Alu” composed by Hakeem Duazo and performed by Mackie; “Ayaw sa Karon,” an ode to the student life composed by Ramon Christopher Calam, performed by Aaron Domingo; “Balitaw” by father and daughter tandem Adonis and Yana Durado, sang by Georg Laurente and Dane Smith; “Hit & Run”composed by Neil Salarda, with lyrics by John Peterson Villarin and performed by Chinkie Maylon, Jake Batiancela, and Markee.
Also in the Top Ten are RnB track “Kalimtan Na Ka Karon” by Ruel Cerino and performed by Chinkie Maylon; “Lingi-a,” an EDM song composed by Melay Libres and sang by Mix Fenix; “Matag Piraso,” a sentimental piece composed and performed by Ferdinand Aragon; “Natulog Mong Kasing-Kasing,” a ballad composed by John Stephen Cadeliña and lyrics by Irving Guazon, performed by Daryl Leong; “Nganu,” a cheeky pop song composed and performed by Fritz Baguio; and “Sama Lang Kanimo,” a ballad of hope by Fr. Reymund Quito performed by Gail Blanco.
The songwriting competition seeks to “redefine and broaden the definition of Visayan music.” Eyed as an annual campaign, VizMA sees itself as a venue for lesser known songwriters to showcase their artistry.
The inaugural Visayan Music Awards Finals night will take place this Saturday, July 27, at the Oakridge Pavilion in Mandaue City where the finalists will be performing a live rendition of their songs alongside the Cebu Philharmonic Orchestra.
A cash prize of P100,000 awaits the first VizMA grand winner, while the first and second runners-up will take home P75,000 and P 50,000, respectively. Third and sixth runners-up will receive P10,000 each.
Each of the seven winners will also receive a scholarship worth P150,000 for either a post-graduate or bachelor’s degree diploma from the Innovation and Creative Enterprise Program of Thames International. The scholarship is given to further build the artists’ skills and competency. A seven-moth part-time program involving the development of business, innovation and creative thinking skill is provided by the post-graduate diploma; while the bachelor’s degree offers the synergy of business, technology, and art so that scholars become effective in the creative entrepreneurship industry.
VizMA Creative Director Kenneth Cobonpue said that the audience can look forward to a one-of-a-kind show and a celebration of Bisaya music – an event which can be held at par alongside the spectacles presented by the Batch 1985 Foundation Inc., of the Binibining Cebu fame.
Artists like Karencitta, and music icon Max Surban will be gracing the affair, with Cebuana singer, actress and comedienne Giselle Sanchez hosting the program. More artists are being eyed to perform, not to mention the best sound and music engineers all in one room.
“I think you’re familiar with the kind of showmanship in the shows we produce,” said Cobonpue. “This is really going to be a show.”