TAIWAN EXCELLENCE "Your Song of Excellence: Duo Legacy" Bares Winners

Taiwan certainly has a lot of things that Filipinos could connect to. One of it is the love for music. TAITRA aka Taiwan External Trade Development Council recently held the Taiwan Excellence "Your Song of Excellence: Duo Legacy" at the Market!Market! mall in Taguig City. 

Out of thousands who sent their entries, they got the judges choose 3 finalists to battle it out on this one day at the mall's activity center. This isn't a walk in the park as we talked to the judges Kean Cipriano, Ice Seguerra, Yeng Constantino and Paulo Zarate. They also had to choose a winner based off a themed composition about Taiwan Excellence and an original song. Taiwan is known for their various quality products and seeing the Taiwan Excellence seal on them just assures you of their high standards. Aside from the economic standpoint, it's the connections we share in culture that makes it a worthwhile event.

We also got to talk to the executives of TAITRA and asked about what they were looking for as far as winners go. It's a combination of talent, x factor and the ability to showcase the Filipino talent. Because just like Taiwan, we find excellence in these things. Makes sense?

 Various Taiwanese brands also joined the event in support of the Taiwan Excellence program and this songwriting and singing competition:

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In the end, they announced The Unexpected Duo's Vench Larenas and Renz Salazar as Second Runner Up, Haranajeeb Duo's Khen Aldovino and Nephtali Fajardo as the First Runner Up. The grand winner is Mandarhyme Duo's Rusty and Janine Loayon, they won Php 300,000 for it. The event was witnessed by TAITRA's Brian Lee, Alex Lai, and people from Taiwan Economic and Cultural Office. Also in the event was Ambassador Wallace Chow and Ms. Josephine Shun of TECO Philippines.

Lara Maigue and Gian Magdangal for "The Greatest Duets goes BROADWAY"

Gian Magdangal and Lara Maigue have been certainly turning heads with their various covers on YouTube. My personal favorite is their version of "Last Night of the World" from popular musical Miss Saigon (which will be staged in Manila soon btw). Before they turned into lovers, they've been good friends and just went over that line with good intentions.

Lara is a very talented classical singer (a Soprano) educated from UP College of Music, and has gone in different places across the globe to promote Filipino talent and music. Gian on the other hand has been seen in the musical theater arena, always takes lead roles for obvious reasons. Both are actors, performers in live and on television shows too.  On November 10, they'll be performing at the Teatrino Promenade in Greenhills, San Juan City. They properly call the show "The Greatest Duets goes BROADWAY" which is produced by GL Productions (their own production company). The premise is to take you to best Broadway musicals through the songs they personally hand picked to do duets with. I wouldn't want to pre-empt, but as far as skills go, these two are practically the most equipped to do that on stage and this intimate venue. As Gian states in previous interviews, one reason he got hooked with Lara is her natural ability to mesmerize anyone who would hear her sing. He on the other hand has exceptional singing and acting prowess, which he puts to good use.

According to Lara "It's the first time we are working on something together and it is a way to showcase our love for Broadway. My dream used to be with a full orchestra in Carnegie Hall, while he wanted to do it in The Sphere in Las Vegas. The new generation should know how relevant music is now. The magic of collaborating, we love seeing that. We are fans of Broadway musicals, it was a natural idea to come up with and we want people to enjoy it with us."

Gian adds "The first challenge is to do both hats as producer and performer. The team, the business, it's just the start and we plan to do something big next year. We want to make work happen, a lot of give and take, it's a part of learning together. "

"Our goal is to package this as two individuals doing shows, and perhaps, just showcase all duets. There are going to be few solos but it's seamlessly going to be a duet too so you are not going to be umay from it."

Tickets are sold at Teatrino Promenade via 09175130909 or GL Productions via 09663890156 or Ticketworld.com.ph. Go get them now as I'm sure it'll run out fast!

NCCA To Hold SUDI Awards This August

The SUDI Awards will be happening soon. This is NCCA's way of recognizing Filipinos who have outstanding contributions in musical works, creators and artistic exellence.

Noel Ferrer says "The SUDI Awards started back in 2018, later adapted by today's chairman and comittee. The SUDI Technical working group was formed to further push its cause which includes Bayang Barrios, Twinky Lagdameo, Mr. C., Dr. Felipe De Leon Jr. and more. This is multi sectoral. Everyone is part of the creative aspect, this is part of the Filipino music that we enjoy today. The NCCA Awards is a product of creative interaction with other stakeholders. The SUDI Technical working group was formed for this, mabuhay ang musikang Filipino."

Dr. Felipe De Leon Jr. says "We had the technical working group and the NCCA to select from a roster of nominees. It's not just Manila but regional personalities, educators, groups, made dossier for them and then given to the jury. The contribution should be huge, something that moved a lot of artists. We based everything on research, we see how they contributed, their being as an institution, from different genre and chose who have influenced. If they have a huge understanding of their music and given inspiration to others. It should be long term impact."

Ryan Cayabyab says "Choosing awardees are easy, they do standout. The idea is to have one per year, but because of the multitude of people who contribute to the music industry, we see how huge their impact is. The jury will choose in the end, it's going to be difficult in the future years."

Mark Carpio of the Philippine Madrigal Singers says "When the pandemic started, we took a break. People are expecting from us and Filipinos need something that uplifts things, then we received this award during this time. NCCA told us then, we are honored and felt happy that we are being recognized. Maraming salamat po!"

Award winning pianist and PPO's Raul Sunico says "Thank you to the Jury. When I was informed about this, I asked about SUDI awards, and learning about it I have come to appreciate the recognition. We don't perform for awards really, to make music, to make people happy and to make an impact for others. Thank you for recognizing us and our efforts."

Professor Carmencita Arambulo says "I have been teaching music for a few decades now. When I got the notice, I was surprised about NCCA's SUDI awards. I haven't been working for awards really, I have been teaching musical greats, teachers, performers, when I hear how they have done well, I already am happy. They are my affirmation. I will continue to do this, thank you NCCA and jurors. I will still teach the youth so they become excellent in their craft, their character become great, so they become better citizens. These days I have done it online, I have found it actually effective. We need to have great teachers so we get really good youngsters. When they get recognized here and abroad, my heart is full because that is my mission as a teacher. Thank you!"

Tiffany Gabuya of DZFE says "I should begin by saying that, we thought it wasn't really for us. When we read it, we couldn't bellieve it. We have luminaries that received this and getting it, we were just so grateful. Our contribution to music, usually are from Broadcasting. If I'm going to run this station, we are not going to change things, we didn't join any awards since I took over the station. I think, I'm happy to be part of the first batch. The people of heritage, for several decades, we're special and we're going to treasure that. We are thankful for the NCCA for the award, even if we don't get one in the next years, you have acknowledged us today."

Noel Cabangon says "Getting this gives me comfort. I am happy to give what we have for the industry and other artists, I am thankful for receiving this."

Chino Toledo says "Getting the email I got a little surprised. I saw the other awardees, and it wasn't a joke. The head of comittee was Ryan Cayabyab and saw the list seeing everyone I knew. This shows focus on years of making music, we're not stopping there. We don't make them for awards but being recognized made us feel someone is looking at it, someone is hearing it."

Gloc 9 says "When I see email, I don't usually read it. When they told me, I was super happy that it came from NCCA. I know how meticulous they are in choosing people, this just proves how we can make our own waves to be able for other people to see our work. This trophy will be really memorable for me."

By the way, Leo Abaya made and designed the awards for SUDI Awards, but he passed a few months ago. I'm so glad artistic excellence is being recongnized especially in a country that has been known for talent like us. Make sure you see the actual awards night in two parts on August 21 and 28 at 7PM on the NCCA Official YouTube channel. It'll be something good for the soul.