OPM Shines at Himig Pinoy 2018
Photo by Joanne Marie Bolo
Carolinian representatives for the Himig Pinoy competition went head to head with their own takes on OPM songs at the Rudolf Rahmann Cultural Center of the University of San Carlos – South Campus last Oct. 25, 2018. Himig Pinoy is an annual competition held not only to select the most outstanding Carolinian singers but also to foster appreciation for songs made by Filipino artists.
Esteemed gentlemen Maestro Roberto del Rosario, Mr. Niño Bañares and Mr. Dennis Sugarol judged the contestants according to their vocal ability, interpretation of the song and stage presence.
The competition began with the elementary category. The singers were from the North, South and Montessori campuses of the university. Elementary performers between the third to sixth grades sang their hearts out starting with Zhed Oriol followed by Cyan Villaflor, Rina Tan, Marc Ramos and Jabina Balic. Ultimately, Balic’s sassy rendition of the Vispop single, “Duyog”, championed the elementary category. Rina Tan’s take on “Dakilang Lahi” by Anthony Castelo won first runner up followed by Villaflor’s spirited performance of Rivermaya’s “Kisapmata”.
Up next was the high school category led by Amber Macaya followed by Ravyn Fernandez, Angel Alforque, Libby Tan and Blesselle Mojeres. In third place was Libby Tan with her moving performance of Roel Manlangit’s “Maghintay Ka Lamang” followed by Alforque singing the OPM classic, “Anak”, winning second place. However, it was Mojeres’s powerful performance of “Banal na Aso, Santong Kabayo” that championed the high school category. When asked why she chose the song, Mojeres stated that she wanted to do something different.
Finally, the college and senior high school category commenced with Christian Luy representing the School of Engineering followed by Jegi Andrei Nero from the School of Architecture, Fine Arts (SAFAD) and Design, Bianca Eran from the School of Education, Jeduthun Ligan from the School of Business and Economics (SBE), Christianne Merced from the School of Health Care Professions, Andrea Badinas from the School of Arts and Sciences (SAS), Aria Bench Angcon from the Senior High School and Charlene Lord Aton from the School of Law and Governance.
In third place was Andrea Badinas from SAS with her strong rendition of “Ang Buhay Ko” followed by Jegi Andrei Nero from SAFAD in second place with his poignant take on “Pangandoy” by Daryl Leong. However, it was Jeduthun Ligan who championed the college and senior high school category with his tremendous performance of Martin Nievera’s “Ikaw ang Pangarap”. When asked why he thinks more people should listen to OPM, Ligan simply quoted the lyrics of Francis Magalona’s song “Tayo’y Mga Pinoy” saying, “Bakit nanggagaya? Mayro’n naman tayo. Tayo’y mga Pinoy, tayo’y hindi Kano.”
Jhames Rosaldo, Himig Pinoy 2017 champion of the elementary category, also returned to the stage once more for an intermission number. After which, the Performing Arts group took to the stage for a final performance to conclude the night.
