LU BAND WINS BIG IN CCP’s KANTO CANTA COMPETITION
By: Joy Ann L. Gurtiza, GPC-LUPTO | Photos By: GPC-LUPTO | Date: June 30, 2021
From hundreds of entries nationwide, La Union-based “Abel” band from the town of Bangar grabbed Second Place in Cultural Center of the Philippine’s (CCP) first-ever Kanto Canta national online band competition with their song entry “Reseta.” Top 3 winners were announced through a virtual awarding program on June 30, 2021 where Abel garnered a score of 87.2%. Besting other bands from a pool of 15 national finalists, the band received P30,000 and a trophy as a prize.
According to the band’s songwriter Al Camarillo, their song “Reseta” shares a message of hope, resilience, and inspiration during this difficult time. Their composition is meant to represent the emotions people feel during the pandemic, and encourage them to stay strong and look forward to a better tomorrow. “Sa araw-araw laging may pagsubok lalo na ngayong pandemya mas sinusubok tayo. Pisikal, emosyon, mentalidad at isipiritwal nasusubok nang matindi. Ang totoo ay ang mundo ay hindi naman maghihinay-hinay at hindi mas magiging tahimik dahil lang sa nais mo ito. Magtulungan at magmahalan na lang tayo,“ Camarillo highlighted in an interview with the Culture and Arts Section of the La Union Provincial Tourism Office.
Camarillo is proud to further share that the song’s melody was from his 5-year old daughter formed through random ukelele jamming. “Napaka-espesyal ng kantang Reseta sa buhay ko kasi proud ako na kasama ko ang anak ko na gumawa nito. Birthday niya sa August, may pambili na daw siya ng toy. Iyon ang sinabi niya agad noong nanalo kami,” Camarillo added.
Formed since 2008, the band name “Abel” is inspired by a Biblical Hebrew name “Hebel” - origin of the word hevel meaning breath or vapour. For the band members, their name highlights the fact that life is short. Promoting Bangar’s One-Town-One-Product, the music group aims to create music about the lives of people. Current band members include Camarillo, Ramil Dick Maballo, Engr. Dexter Macaso, and Michael John Olpindo.
Moving forward, the band continues to advocate and promote the use of native instruments in contemporary and popular music as it envisions to establish a network of local musicians through an organization they call “Aoeng”. Using newly composed songs, Abel shall also collaborate for the 10th year anniversary online drama production of La Union community-based theater group Dulaang Elyu, also managed by Macaso. The band also explores to develop new, locally produced musical instruments originating from the province.
Kanto Kultura is a project series launched by the CCP together with the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. that seeks to encourage Filipino talents in music, film, literature, theater, dance, and visual arts to create quality content that showcases creativity and innovation. The Provincial Government of La Union is one with CCP in supporting the growth of budding and thriving local artists and talents in the regions and provinces.
