Iloilo Pop Song Festival Presents 15 Original Ilonggo Songs

ILOILO CITY – Ilonggos are known for their passion in music. Throughout history, many Ilonggo singers and Hiligaynon songs became timeless, popularized by radio and other forms of media. In this age of digital social media dominated by the internet, Ilonggo music will have its timely evolution ushering competitiveness and new creative vision. Kuris-AMX Multimedia Inc. and RSLPhoenix Music in cooperation with the Local Government Unit of San Enrique, Iloilo presents the first Iloilo Pop Song Festival 2015. This exciting event is a competition for talented songwriters and composers coming from the Province of Iloilo and other parts of Western Visayas. Songwriters submitted their original songs in either Ilonggo or mix Ilonggo-English lyrics through the competition’s official facebook page and email from September 8, 2015 until November 15, 2015.

On November 18, the Top 15 Semi-Finalist song entries were announced online through facebook and youtube open for public sharing and listening. The Top 15 Semi- Finalist songs are: “Sweet Song” by Philip Muleta (Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental), “Sa Imo Lang Ako” by Emman Abatayo (Glenville, Leganes, Iloilo), “Pinalangga Ko Nga Iloilo” by Joel Lenaming (Jaro, Iloilo City), “Tele-banda” by Vincent Bastian (St. Vincent College of Science and Technology), “Bitoon” by E.P.I.C. or Justin Andrew Perlas (Iloilo City), “Suplada” by Rocky Fuentes (Bacolod City), “Nabatyagan” by Edz Callao (Bo. Obrero, Lapuz, Iloilo City), “Maayo Kay Nabal-an Ta” by VIR Brand, “Lagaw Ta Sa Uma” by Ronalyn Faustino (San Enrique, Iloilo), “Imo Nga Yuhum” by Francisco Umadhay of Francis Playground (Sta. Barbara, Iloilo), “Tagipusuon” by Joel Lenaming (Jaro, Iloilo City), “Di Ba Hambal Mo” by Shamel Ricablanca (3^rd Sign Band), “Madulom Nga Palibot” by Ang Mag-utod (Pavia, Iloilo), “Pagpalangga Mo” by Ymmannuel Demegillo (Sta. Barbara, Iloilo), and “Talagsahon” by Vincent Bastian & Cyre Barcenas (St. Vincent College of Science and Technology). The Semi Final competition will be held at the Shops at Amigo (Amigo Mall) on November 28, 2PM where the Top 5 song entries will be announced to compete for the Grand Finals on December 18, 7PM at San Enrique Covered Gym in San Enrique, Iloilo. The Top 5 song entries will win cash prizes, certificates, trophies, music video production contract. The unique concept of this competition will pay tribute to the Top 3 winners’ chosen organization, municipality or school who will also receive the trophies. 

The Iloilo Pop Song Festival 2015 is more than just a songwriting competition that inspires songwriters to develop, promote, elevate and reintroduce Hiligaynon or Ilonggo music in global perspective but advocate to spread goodwill and use it as a medium for change. This year, the organizers together with San Enrique Mayor Ramona P. Go decided to initiate a series of charity programs for the Aeta community of San Enrique, Iloilo by co-producing the 2015 recording and music video version of the original song “Christmas in the City of Love” set to premier online on the first week of December.

Who will make a mark in the first multimedia songwriting competition in the Province of Iloilo and the whole Western Visayas? Check out www.facebook.com/iloilopopsong festival to listen and download the Top 15 Semi-Final original song entries.

Iloilo Pop Song Festival is co-presented by San Enrique Agricultural College (SEAC) Batch 1990 Alumni, Panay News (official media partner), The Shops at Amigo, KADMATSE – President Josie Palu-ay, Juvie Padernal Hammond, AMX Pharmaceuticals, and Music & Lyrics Production.

   

Iloilo's Full Circle of Historical Reflection

History has always been set to repeat itself. Everything goes on a cycle as we traverse life. Life in Iloilo used to be simple yet beautiful, a once sleepy town turned into a bustling city in 1889 when Spain’s royal majesty Queen Ma. Cristina granted it a special title as the most loyal city during the Spanish colonization era in the Philippines. Moving forward, Iloilo became a bustling city, an international port for textile industry, an attractive destination, center of commerce and trade next to Manila. For the most part of the late 18th and early 19th centuries, Iloilo dominated the trading business, commerce and reached its peak as an affluent metropolis in the Southern Philippines. They say, that a country or a city with a strong connection to its cultural past and heritage can easily attain social and economic maturity because the past bridges the present towards a future of synergistic richness and prosperity.

The stunning Iloilo River Esplanade, photo by Felipe Uygongco

Calle Real, one of the oldest business districts in the Philippines, photo by Felipe Uygongco

The Paraw Regatta Festival held every February is Southeast Asia's oldest sailboat race, photo by Felipe Uygongco

The magnificent Molo Church and Plaza, photo by Felipe Uygongco

The world-famous Dinagyang Festival, Iloilo's cultural spectacle performing at the Iloilo Convention Center during the APEC ministerial meetings this year, photos by Felipe Uygcongco

Angelia Ong, Miss Philippines Earth 2015 is a typical Ilongga wearing the world-famous Hablon gown designed by Totong Gellagarin, photo by Felipe Uygongco

An Ilongga exude the natural charisma and passion. Hablon gown designed by Totong Gellagarin and photo by Felipe Uygongco

Looking at the present rise of Iloilo City as an envisioned setting of a strong economic prominence in Western Visayas, investment potential is surging high that paved way for visitors and investors to consider the city as a future business destination. Iloilo remained adamant to preserve its glorious historical past visible through the city government’s several projects that rebuild, revive and promote major historical landmarks including the old Calle Real, one of the country’s oldest business districts. An Eco-centered project such as the Iloilo River Esplanade anchored in the tourism development aspect of the city is making a name as the next most-watched destinations in the Philippines. The people, the sweet-loving Ilonggos and the charming Ilonggas, women of the southern Philippines whose charisma defines passion, true hospitality and soft-spoken nature that creates a welcoming image for Iloilo as a destination of people-centered culture. Visiting the city will tempt you to sink your palate to the countless delicacies and favorite local cuisines such as Batchoy, Biscocho, Pancit Molo, Seafood dishes and a lot more, a long-history of culinary passion preserved through the Ilonggo tradition. Ilonggos are also known as the most colorful people in the Philippines, and probably in the world, visualized through its prominent Dinagyang Festival and Asia’s oldest sailboat race – the Paraw Regatta. Iloilo presents a deep-rooted devotion to the Roman Catholic and well-known as a faith-based pilgrimage city with the existence of centuries old churches in Jaro District celebrating the annual “Jaro Candelaria” and St. Anne Church in Molo District. Central Philippine University is Iloilo’s version of an old American Protestant-founded university emerging as a tourism destination. Prominent infrastructure projects are filling up the “visual imagery” of Iloilo as a city of expanding modern metropolis yet passionate to preserve its past and harmonize with its ecological aspect. Social, cultural, ecological and, yes, spiritual aspects of Iloilo pieces up a puzzle of a ONE beautiful, harmonious, prosperous and progress-driven metropolis, one of the most livable, “next wave” cities in the world.

The 3,700-seater Iloilo Convention Center, photo by Felipe Uygongco

Richmonde Hote Iloilo, the first luxury hotel that opened at Iloilo Business Park this year, photo by Felipe Uygongco

Visualizing Iloilo City on a higher ground of tangible changes, there is one “phenomenal” reason why this city magnetized a lot more investors and visitors to come in the past few years – Iloilo Business Park. Megaworld, the Philippines’ leading real estate developer and BPO office landlord realize the potential of Iloilo as a potential economic center and investment hub. The company invested P35 billion in a 72-hectare property in the old Iloilo Airport  located in Mandurriao District to developed the area into a highly-urbane township intended for business, lifestyle elevation, tourism and create a new destination for pleasure-seekers, tourists and people wanting to immerse themselves in the colorful yet passionate culture of Iloilo. Major shopping center, the longest dining strip in the country, international hotels, BPO office buildings, rising central business district, international-standard convention venue and various points of interests will emerge in this vast, all-expanding, and larger-than-life Megaworld township. Iloilo Business Park is the city’s high-life magnet and newest claim-to-fame in terms of investment credential.

The magnitude of progress, developments, cultural pride, dreams-turning-into-reality, and opening a doorway for global opportunities for this once sleepy yet beautiful city of “many wonders” are coming together, falling into place and rising up as ONE destination we can truly OWN. In the crystal clear waters of the Iloilo River, the present facet of the city’s modern image is reflected like those in the past. It is not about reclaiming a historical title as the original “Queen[’s] City” (owning it or embodying it), it has always been there etched in the deepest recesses of our cultural identity as Ilonggos. We are part of its pieced-up puzzle, full reflection of passion and splendor waiting to make the world see this city sparkle in full brilliance.  Iloilo steps up in full circle. Its history is destined to repeat itself through Iloilo Business Park... OUR OWN STORY to TELL soon.

Dreaming to invest in Iloilo City? call us at (033) 330-3465, visit us online at www.iloilobusinesspark.ph  or see for yourself the lifestyle you desire at our IBP Showroom located at the ground floor of Richmonde Tower, 8 Enterprise Road, Iloilo Business Park, Mandurriao, Iloilo City.

Ilonggo Artists United for Iloilo’s Tourism

Ilonggo artists of Region VI performed "Lagaw Ta (Experience Western Visayas)" after 3 years since its official launch in 2013

The Tambobo Festival theme song of the Municipality of Ajuy was performed live for the first time with Jamela Puyo, Rodj of Metaphorhyme and NIPSC - Ajuy Dancers

Daniel Zedane performed his original song "Panaginip" and collaboration song with Rodj of Metaphorhyme "Ngaa Bala"

Iloilo's soulful duo - Marty n' Lindy performed a medley of their original songs

Metaphorhyme rap group performed their original songs "Balang Araw" and "Lipad"

Eunioa rap group performed their first single "Dali Na"

Iloilo City, Philippines – Ilonggo musis artists once again united to showcase their talents and passion for  local music and tourism industry last September 27, 5 p.m. at Robinsons Place Iloilo – Fountain Area during the last day of the 11^th Tumandok Tourism Fair organized by Province of Iloilo - Office of Culture, Tourism and the Arts, Department of Tourism Region VI, Tinukib Pasalubong Center, Iloilo Science and Technology University and Iloilo Tourism Officers Association, Inc. Local Ilonggo recording artists Daniel Zedane, Marty n’ Lindy, rap groups Eunioa and Metaphorhyme performed their original songs. The Iloilo Pop Song Festival, the first multimedia songwriting competition in Western Visayas organized by the Municipality of San Enrique LGU spearheaded by its municipal mayor, Ramona Palabrica Go together with RSLPhoenix Music and SEAC Batch 1990 launched the competition. San Enrique Iloilo Association – America president, Greg Palabrica shared the advocacy and invited Ilonggo composers from various municipalities to join the competition. Northern Iloilo Polytechnic State College (NIPSC) – Ajuy Campus together with its college administrator, Dr. Cirilo Deocariza and faculty and staff presented with pride the entertaining live performance of the Municipality of Ajuy’s Tambobo Festival Theme Song. The song was performed by local singer Jamela Puyo, Ilonggo rapper Rodj of Metaphorhyme and NIPSC – Ajuy Tambobo Dancers. Ilonggo artists of Region VI reunited onstage once again and performed “Lagaw ‘Ta (Experience Western Visayas,” the first and only unified tourism song and music video of Region VI produced in 2013.  On its 11^th year, the Tumandok Tourism Fair with the theme “Heritage and Tourism: Community and Environment” held at Robinsons Place Iloilo from September 24-27 continues to highlight the best of Iloilo’s tourism industry, talents and culture heritage.