GROUPS from Tuguegarao City, La Union, Las Piñas City, Lanao Del Norte, and Taguig City were among the top winners announced in the first-ever online band competition Kanto Canta, which seeks to encourage Filipino talents to create artistic content that showcases innovation and creativity.
Letrang Norte from Tuguegarao City of Cagayan who sang and composed “Tahanan” bagged the grand winner spot. Abel of La Union who sang and composed “Reseta” and The Bratcave of Las Piñas City who sang and composed “Pag-ibig ang Tulay” got the second and third place, respectively. The fourth placer was from Lanao Del Norte with the band called IMCC Kapagintaw Entho-Rock Band with their song composition “Anihan Na,” and Far East Bronxx of Taguig City with their song composition “Bakit Sa’yo Pa Rin” took the fifth spot.
The panel of Judges was composed of renowned artists from the music industry. It included Filipino folk singer and composer, and a recent SUDI Awardee by the NCCA, Noel Cabangon; The King of Philippine Acoustic Pop, Nyoy Volante; Founding member of pop-R&B band Southborder, Jay Durias; and Kanto Canta project leaders and members of CCP Board of Trustees, Michelle Nikki Junia and Stanley Seludo.
The 6th Placer to 15th Placer will receive P5,000 each. The 5th and 4th Placer will get P10,000 each. The 3rd Placer will receive P20,000 and Kanto Kultura Trophy while the 2nd placer will get P30,000 and a Kanto Kultura Trophy. The Kanto Canta grand winner will get a P50,000, Kanto Kultura Trophy, and exclusive management and recording contract from Widescope Entertainment.
The Kanto Kultura trophy was made by Dan Raralio, a prominent sculptor and recipient of the CCP Thirteen Artists Awards.
The project has encouraged the artists to incorporate the country’s very own indigenous instruments into their compositions, in the hopes of discovering a new sound that can help find a niche in the global audience. It also aims to provide an avenue for different forms of artistic expression.
