Finalists in CCMF-Bikol songwriting bared

“ABOT KAMAY ang Pag-Asa,” “We are Home” and “See it in CCMF” are one step closer to become the CCMF-Bikol Anthem. These three entries topped the semi-finals of Consuelo “Chito” Madrigal Foundation – Bikol’s songwriting competition held on September 12, 2018 at the Bishop Francisco Gainza Trade Fair at Robinson’s Place, Naga City. “We want to come up with an anthem to promote the advocacies of the foundation and to celebrate what we have accomplished so far,” CCMF-Bikol Chief Executive Fr. Wilmer Tria explains. From the 14 entries pre-screened on August 29, five advanced to the semi-finals. “Abot Kamay ang Pag-Asa” composer Angelo Inting hails from Bato, Camarines Sur. Composers Joseph Reburiano (We are Home) and Venrich Hermogeno (See it in CCMF) are from Naga City. Their compositions will compete in the Grand Finals on December 19, 2018, during the General Assembly and Christmas Party of the foundation’s beneficiaries. The grand prize winner will receive PhP 50,000.00; second and third place will receive Php 25,000 and Php 15,000, respectively. Other entries in the semi-finals were “One” composed by Jireh Orobia or Legazpi City, Albay, and “Kahirapan, Labanan composed by Gerald Naquita of Lipa, Batangas. Fr. Xavier Amoroso, director of the Commission on Liturgical Music of the Archdiocese of Caceres, chaired the board of judges. Members were Emy Cunanan of Naga Parochial School; Cloyd Lagyap of Zeferino Arroyo High School, Iriga City; Dr. Lynette Kirstin Mendez Velasquez, owner of Bicol Renal Care Center and Fr. Jay Jacinto, head of the Vocations Office of the Archdiocese of Caceres. The event also featured testimonies of beneficiaries. Rosela Dimaiwat, a Microfinance member from Iriga City, shares that by joining the program, she has a steady source of capital for her microenterprise. Elenita Morano, a homepartner of the Housing Program, reveals that the affordable housing has secured her family’s future. Gjane Caubang, a scholarship grantee, highlights her learning experiences as an apprentice in the various offices of the foundation. Domar Nicolas Sara, an alumnus of the scholarship program and now manager of BPI Magsaysay Branch, hosted the event.