By Inday Chikadora | 02:47 AM January 18, 2020
Boholano composer and singer Joseph Gara was declared grand champion in the 40th Cebu Popular Music Festival 2020 held at the IC3 Pavillion, Cebu City, on Friday night, January 17, 2020.
Gara’s entry “Sugid ni Maria” was interpreted by Orfeshaine Quiñones.
“SUGID NI MARIA- is a song of longing for someone who is very dear, and dreaming is the only thing closest to once a reality,” he posted on Facebook.
Gara said joining the Cebu Pop Music Festival was a dream come true.
“It’s a dream come true to be part of this prestigious event. Sauna sa TV rku makakita ani, nangandoy maka submit og entry, naswertihan nafinalist pa gyud,” he said.
Gara with his interpreter Quiñones won P100,000.
“Abby” by Barry Villacarillo and interpreted by “Hahasula” singer Kurt Fick bagged the second prize, winning P75,000.
Jay-Arr Librando’s “Gugma Sa Kasulatan” made it to the third place, interpreted by Leela Jae Laburada and Librando himself, winning P50,000.
Charmaine Monternel won as the Best Interpreter and belted out the song “Pailob Lang”, complete with an Aegis-inspired singing style.
The Cebu Pop Music Festival was established by then Congressman Eduardo Gullas in 1980. Gullas also chairs the Cebu Arts Foundation, Inc, the group behind the longest-running singing-songwriting contest in the country.
40th Cebu Popular Music Festival 2020
This year’s entries were:
#1: Ayaw Gyud
#2: Bakho sa Kamingaw
#3: Sugid ni Maria
#4: Gugma sa Kasulatan
#5: Duha Na Ta
#6: Pailob Lang
#7: Salamat Cebu
#8: Sugbuanong Musika
#9: IPTU
#10: ABBY
#11: Estudyanteng Tambay
#12: Agalon Kong Estrikto
Joseph Gara. Photo: Gara FB