In a press conference held in the Artist Ko studio, located inside the University of the Philippines campus, Vispop, a non-profit and non- stock organization expressed their utmost support for individual creativity and talent, hence Vispop was created in 2009 and had its first staging in 2013.
“We’re glad that we’re here to continue making waves for Vispop music. Especially because these songs don’t only make a hit in the Visayas but also in Luzon. For example, Labyu Langga and Balay ni Mayang, those songs were unexpectedly a huge hit in Manila. So I thought, maybe we’re doing something right with this campaign because of the achievements,” Insoy Niñal said.
Vispop is a branchild of Artist Ko, and the first batch of Vispop finalists and winners captured the hearts of not just Cebuano listeners but non-Cebuano speaking music fans all over the country as well. It produced well-crafted music such as Duyog, Laylay, Papictura ko Nimo Gwapo, Labyu Langga, Buwag Balik, Dili Pa Panahon, Book Love, and some of these topped the music charts nationwide.
Insoy Niñal, Vispop’s project director said, “In the selection of the final songs is a bloody screening process done by five screening committee members.” he added, “ We had 360 plus entries and spent an entire day just to round it down to 6 final songs. We listen to each song thoroughly until the chorus. During the first round we cut down to 100, until the second round we’ll have 40, and the third round is when we come up with 6 final songs.”
“We want to re-define Visayan music each year. A lot of the songs this year have quite a different style compared to the previous years,” said Jude Gitamondoc, Vispop’s musical director.
This year they are set to continue their legacy of being the flag bearer of Visayan Pop music along with its new set of 6 finalists. Songwriters who made it to the final six are John Cadeliña and Irving Guanzon (Damgo), Kenneth Corvera (Pep-pep), Sherwin Fugoso & Marajane Monton (Imoha Ra Akong Kasingkasing), Joseph Gara (Paghunas), Marie Salvaleon (Suwat ni Maria), and Jerika Teodorico (Baklay).
The show will be on June 18, 2016 and will take place at the SM Seaside Centerstage.
Ian Zafra, Vispop’s development manager, said, “My role here is on the business development side, I look for partnerships to fund our projects.”
Vispop is supported by Filipino Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, Inc. (FILSCAP) and Cebu Chamber of Commerce Industry, Inc.
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Xatti Ybañez
iSTORYA Intern
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