Telecom employee wins Sto. Niño song-writing tilt By Bernadette Parco
Cebu Daily News
First Posted 02:26pm (Mla time) 01/09/2008CEBU CITY, Philippines - People from varied walks of life showed their devotion through song last Monday in a music competition in honor of the Child Jesus, whose feast is celebrated this month. An employee of a telecommunications company came out on top.
Outdoing a policeman, a school teacher, a jail guard, a statistics officer and other men and women from everyday profession,
Jafet Vistal of Innove Communications’ electronics department won best composition for his song “Sto. Niño, Kaloy-i Ako†during the 2nd annual Huni Halad Alang Kang Sto. Niño de Cebu songwriting competition, also known as the Huniño competition.
Vistal received a P50,000 check and a trophy for his work, which was performed by Wilson Mendez Jr.
The winner said his song was inspired by the Gospel story wherein Jesus prevented a woman from being stoned to death.
In second place was the composition of Emmanuel L. Abellana of the National Statistics Office entitled “Daghang Salamat, O Sto. Niño,†performed by 11-year-old Danica Caballes, the youngest performer in the competition.
Even though Abellana’s work took second place, Caballes’ powerful performance made her a crowd favorite.
Abellana went home with P20,000 and a trophy.
The composition of teacher James Banares, based on a poem by Maria Lynde Abella, took third place.
“The lyrics came ahead of the melody,†said the 25-year-old composer. “The song speaks of the greatness of the Sto. Niño.â€
Their song “Viva Sto. Niño†became a crowd favorite for its upbeat tempo, setting itself apart from the other, typically mellower songs.
Banares received P10,000 and a trophy.
Included among the compositions that made it to the final 12 was an entry composed by jail guards Melvin A. Girasol and Joselito C. Cabunag.
Their song “Sto. Niño, Kausaban Ko†hails the Child Jesus for being an influence of change for prison inmates.
The jail officers performed their own composition, along with their policeman friend, Chief Insp. Johnson M. Calub.
The composition of another policeman, Allan D. Sorono, was also chosen as one of the 12 finalists. His song “Bugtong Dalangpanan Ka†was performed by Rene Campomanes, with backup vocals provided by the group Revelation 418.
Entries to the annual search were judged for their how easily their songs could be followed by listeners, basis in liturgy, and originality.
The chairman of the board of judges was Rev. Fr. Jonas Mijares, OSA, from the University of San Agustin in Iloilo City. Other judges included last year's winner Renato Sagayno and diocesan priest Ponce Jed Bellones.
All performances were accompanied by the 44-piece Huniño Symphonic Orchestra, under the baton of Professor Roberto del Rosario.
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