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| Here are the ten winners of Viva Music Group's Viva Musika 2020 songwriter search. (Image Source: Manila Bulletin/Viva Music Group) |
Viva Music Group, a subsidiary of Viva Communications, has announced the ten songwriters from different parts of the country and abroad who are hailed as winners of "Viva Musika 2020", a massive nationwide talent search that aims to discover promising yet unsigned composers and songwriters. These include a flight attendant, two lawyers, a seaman, an accountant and singer-songwriters hoping to achieve success in the local music industry.
From thousands who have submitted three unreleased compositions that were screened by industry experts and lay people, the ten songwriters who have the highest scores for these three songs prevailed and each received Php100,000 in advance royalties and signed to exclusive contracts with Viva Music Publishing. The diverse list of Viva Musika 2020 winners comprises of the following: Pat Cardoza from Tondo, “Manila with Mahal,” “Kailan Ka Babalik” and “Back to You;” Vee Jay Cariego from Cebu with “Miss, Miss Maayag,” “Key of G” and “Kalit;” Clyde Fedelis, from Quezon Province with “Isang Banayad na Pag-Indak,” “Kahit Hindi Magkaintindihan” and “Mission Forever;” Dianne Lim from Quezon City with “Umaasa,” “Kahit Wala ng Pagtingin” and “Dito Na Lang Tayo;” Fritz Baguio from Cebu with “Sabik,” “Dinaba” and “Thanks for Loving Me;" Joel Abad from Valenzuela City with “Kahit Wala Ka Na,” “Kilig” and “Torpe;” Paul Gomez Hildawa of Paranaque with “Malapit Na Akong Mahulog Sa Yo,” “Sakit” and “When God Seems Silent;” Oliver Narag with “Aaminin Ko Na,” “Di Na Ba Magbabalik” and “Madapaka;” Lino Cajegas from Davao but residing in Australia with “Magnet,” “Huling Pagkikita” and “Lost Love;” and Divino Rivera from Benguet with “Langit,” “Us” and “Dito.” Any of these songs will have a chance to be used in future Viva productions.
Viva Communications chairman and chief executive officer Vic Del Rosario Jr. was very pleased with the talented and diverse first batch of Viva Musika signees upon making the announcement. “This search is a continuation of Viva’s long-running efforts to look for hidden talents and to nurture their music careers to the fullest potential,” said Del Rosario. “I have heard the song entries and I believe that these Viva Musika discoveries will be creating a lot of hits for us. I am very excited to release their songs into the market.” “The music business is dependent on compositions and these compositions are the works of composers,” continued Del Rosario. “We cannot have the hit songs without these talented creators and Viva is very lucky to have ten exciting songwriters added to its roster.” He also decreed that the Viva Musika Composer Search will be an annual event for the Viva Music Group and is hopeful that more aspiring songwriters will be discovered with the songs that are slated to become classics and favorites in the foreseeable future.
Vic Del Rosario Jr. has been at the forefront of the Philippine music scene since he formed Vicor Music Corporation in the late 60s and steered the company to the pinnacle of success during its time as a leading proponent of original Filipino music. Along with that, Vicor discovered and led some of the greatest songwriters and singing sensations in the country to the peaks of their careers including George Canseco, Willy Cruz, Jose Mari Chan, TVJ (Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, Joey De Leon), Juan De La Cruz Band (Pepe Smith, Wally Gonzales, Mike Hanopol), Dennis and Rene Garcia of Hotdog, Rey Valera, Yoyoy Villame, Freddie Aguilar, Odette Quesada and more. The quest for hitmakers continued when Del Rosario formed Viva Records in the 1980s which saw the release of memorable songs from Vehnee Saturno, Louie Ocampo, Moy Ortiz, Ogie Alcasid, Edith Gallardo, Freestyle, Rivermaya, Itchyworms and Soapdish as well as The Juans, ALLMO$T, John Roa, Juan Caoile, This Band, Karencitta, Because, and Caleb Santos among others.
