The Bayambang Municipal Council of Culture and the Arts (BMCCA) has successfully staged the Musical Night on March 18, 2017 at the Public Auditorium, a pre-fiesta competition that showcased the town’s amateur talents in himno (hymn) composition, cancionan (individual singing), and rakrakan (battle of the bands).

The one-night, three-in-one competition attracted a throng of people at the venue into the late hours despite an unusually cold and windy air. According to BMCCA Executive Director Januario Cuchapin, the Musical Night was aimed at showcasing Bayambang as a town brimming with Pangasinense culture, particularly in musicality. “The BMCCA’s purpose is to develop local talents,” he said.

Himno

The affair, needless to say, was history-making. According to the BMCCA member Gemma C. Matabang, the winning composition of the himno contest will be the official hymn of Bayambang from hereon. The declared winner has the title “Bayambang: Tawir Ko, Aroen Ko” and is composed by Jane Frances Ambat of Nalsian Sur who took away the coveted grand prize of P50,000. What got the judges’ vote were the lyrics, which struck them as most apt, and the musical arrangement, which they found “swabe” (smooth).

The composers of the other five entries — all worthy competitors — received a consolation price each of P5,000.

The panel was composed of Fr. Anthony Layog of San Carlos City, Kit Sison of UP Baguio Tinig Amianan (among other things), and Dr. Aldrin Ydeo of Don Mariano Marcos State University.

Cancionan

The Cancionan portion had a Main edition and Bulilit edition, and the judges had a hard time choosing, for all contestants had beautifully clear, soaring and powerful vocals.

With a tallish frame and powerful baritone, Johnny Aquino won first prize, taking home P10,000 in cash for his on-the-mark interpretation of his chosen song. The second prize (P6,000) went to Ruby Sarmiento with her classy rendition, and the third prize (P4,000) went to the equally talented Sheralyn Escaño.

In the Bulilit edition of Cancionan, crowd favorite Shekinah B. Dizon ran away with the first prize of P10,000, by giving justice to the song while delivering with pleasant vocals. The second prize of P6,000 went to Jeddah Bautista, who gave an equally memorable, because excellent, singing performance. The third prize of P4,000 went to Arjohn Junio, who also rendered an impressive number.

The panel of judges for the individual singing contest was composed of seasoned musicians Christopher Chan, Ismael Malicdem Jr. (of the Municipal Civil Registrar’s Office), and Antonio Luces Sr.

BayamBands

The battle of the bands portion, dubbed this year as “BayamBands,” gathered together 11 contenders, with each band giving three song renditions in a row. This is when the crowd thickened to jampacked level.

The grand prize of P20,000 went to Flapjack, who stumped the crowd with their cover of Lani Misalucha’s “Queen of the Night”: it was performed with a rock ‘n roll twist, with great vocals and excellent instrument harmony. Their stage performance was truly concert-level, especially with their rendition of a pleasantly rearranged “Isang Linggong Pag-Ibig” (in true rock ‘n roll style, of course) which brought the house down.

Himig ng Lahi was first runner-up (P15,000) with their growling rendition of “Awit ng Kabataan,” while Multiple Choice was second runner-up, receiving P10,000.

Special awards were also given to the best vocalist, guitarist, keyboardist, and drummer.

The panel of judges for BayamBands was composed of veteran artists Gerry Fernandez, Christopher Chan, John Fernandez, Mar Aquino, and Oscar Ora.

It must be noted that select members of the BMCCA itself — who called themselves Alitengteng — opened the Musical Night in style, singing a Pangasinense song of prayer and “Pilipinas Kong Mahal” with engaging harmony. The night was made even more explosive by the intermission performances of the BMCCA Maneuvers, who wowed the crowd with their snappy hip-hop moves, and “The Voice Kids” finalist Al Vincent Casela, who gave his own version of Kitchie Nadal’s “Huwag na Huwag Mong Sasabihin.”

The winners will be presenting their winning pieces during the Cultural Night on fiesta week proper on April 6, 2017 at 8 pm also at the Public Auditorium. (Bayambang PIO/Media Affairs)