Jun Villarta, 52, from Barangay Apas, Cebu City, an actor from Cebu Catholic Television Network (CCTN) performed “Gubot Pa Sa Lukot” which also won as grand champion for the “Huni sa Kasingkasing” category.
“Nalipay ko kay first time nako sa Cebu Pop. Nag-practice lang mi, naay lakas ng loob ug nag-enjoy lang gyud pud ko,” Villarta said after the competition.
“Gubot Pa Sa Lukot” was composed by Fr. Lyndon Ruiz.
It was the 51-year-old priest’s second win for the Cebu Pop Music Festival. He won as the grand champion in 2015 for his song “Nalumos sa Sabaw” under the rhythm and blues (RnB) category.
“Very happy kay nindot ang message sa kanta.
Actually naay di maayo sa kaminyoon, nya high technology na. Naay daghan anang nahitabo nga na wrong send. Panggaon jud ang asawa ug dili mangita’g ikaduha,” Fr. Ruiz said.
“Gubot Pa Sa Lukot” is about a tall and handsome man married to a kind wife but has girlfriends. One day, he accidentally sent a message to his wife which was intended for one of his girlfriends.
Villarta received P10,000 for winning the Best Interpreter and P100,000 for being the grand champion of “Huni sa Kasingkasing” category.
“Gubot Pa Sa Lukot” bested three other songs in the category: “Gugmang Habalhabal” (composer: Hardie Bigcas, interpreter: Karl Allanic), “Uban” (composer: Jerika Teodorico, interpreters: Lorenzo Niñal and Therese Villarante), and “Ania Ako” (composer: Archie Lesiguez, interpreter: Daryl Shane Leong).
GARBO SA MGA BISDAK
The song “Sugboanon Ko” performed by Sheena Belarmino and composed by Jay-arr Librando was hailed as the grand champion for the “Garbo sa Mga Bisdak” category. They received P100,000 as their prize.
The song highlights being a proud Cebuano and talks about tasting its famous delicacies and food such as rosquillos (Liloan), “bakasi” (Cordova), liempo (Balamban), and “lechon” (Talisay City).
The song also features Cebu’s landmarks like the Magellan’s Cross and highlights the Cebuano faith to Señor Santo Niño.
Belarmino, 12, is a grade five student from University of Cebu (UC) and a native of Badian town.
“Nahadlok ko gamay kay mga maayo man sad mokanta akong mga ate and kuya diri so wala ko mag-expect na modaog ko karon. Congrats sa akong mga ate and kuya,” she said during the interview.
“Sugboanon Ko” defeated three other songs in the category: “Bisdak Rocks” (composer: Dennis Martin, interpreter:
Johar Lapasaran), “Ipasigarbo” (composer: Sharon Lanier, interpreters: Danielle May Ozaraga, Philipp Mancol, and Francis Isidro), and “I am Cebuano” (composer: Ritcher Alegado, interpreter: Kristal Mae Dianon).
The song also bagged People’s Choice Award and Best Video with prizes of P10,000 and P5,000, respectively.
Belarmino is not a newbie in contests since she already joined “Dance Kids” and “Tawag ng Tanghalan Kids” in ABS-CBN.
Librando, for his part, said that it is part of his bucket list to win the Cebu Pop Music Festival with his own composition.
Asked for the inspiration behind the song he said, “Because of Cebuano pride. Being proud of Cebu, the places in Cebu, everything that beautiful in Cebu including Sheena as one of the most beautiful things in Cebu.”
Librando, 36, from Barangay Busay, Cebu City is a Music and Religious Education teacher for grade and senior high school at St. Theresa’s College (STC).
AWIT SA GUGMA
A song offering for loved ones entitled, “Ikaw Na” was the grand champion for the “Awit sa Gugma” category.
“Ikaw Na” is composed by Neil Salarda and interpreted by Necie Diaz.
It was Salarda’s second time to join the Cebu Pop Music Festival and he is happy that he finally won.
“Very happy and blessed kay last year finalist ra ko,” Salarda said.
Salarda, 38, from Barangay Apas, Cebu City is a full-time musician. He performs in a hotel in Cebu City and a choir member.
Three other songs competed in the category: “Wa Sa Ta”” (composer: Manolito Languido, interpreter: Joy Mae Cabase), “Pls. Lang Ayaw sa Karon, Ugma na Puhon” (composer: Jade Castro, interpreter: Gerlyn Abaño), and “Unsaon Ko” (composer: Tiffany Damayo, interpreter: Christian Paul Rosa).
“Pila na ka songs mga maoy. This time why not offer songs for loved ones nga in the end nagkadayon gyud,” Salarda answered when asked for the inspiration behind his winning song.
Salarda and Diaz received P100,000 for winning this category.
PERSEVERANCE PAYS OFF
Gloria Villarojo, the events manager for Cebu Pop Music Festival, said she was impressed by the perseverance showed
especially by the winners.
“It only shows kung mo-persevere lang ka, magsige’g hatag og kanta nga bisa’g dili ka kadaog sa una, mag sige ka og practice to improve yourself then mo-abot ra jud ang panahon nga modaog ka,” she said.
So far, there has been no announcement yet if there would be new categories next year.
“But for sure the pop and ballad will always be there,” she said.
The impressive lineup of judges during the last Friday’s competition included Homer Cang, Hannah Magdadaro-Go, Reginald Bernaldez, Chacha Blanco, former Judge Simeon Dumdum Jr., Odessa P. Rodriguez, Verb del Rosario, Lucien Letaba, and Marlon D. Baula.