THE CULTURAL Center of the Philippines (CCP) is giving young artists an opportunity to show their creativity through the “Kanto Kultura” project, a series of online activities for music, broadcast and film, literature, theater, dance, and visual arts.
The brainchild of CCP Board of Trustees members Nikki Junia, Stanley Seludo, and Dr. Jaime Laya, with the support of CCP President Arsenio J. Lizaso, the project “seeks to encourage Filipino talents to create artistic content that showcase innovation and creativity.”
The “Kanto Kultura” series begins with the online music competition called Kanto Canta, showcasing original Filipino compositions integrated with traditional musical instruments, and a fusion of musical genres.
Ms. Junia, who is a music educator, said during a press conference on Feb. 17 held over Zoom, that the restrictions brought by the pandemic have increased the challenges to attain the CCP’s objective in “fostering the consciousness of cultural heritage and its development.” She added that the competition was established to provide a platform for artists to develop their skills and as an opportunity to promote their work.
“This is a chance for our bands and instrumentalists to have a voice and showcase their compositions,” Mr. Seludo said in a mixture of English and Filipino.
The online band competition is open to natural-born Filipinos (18 years and up) who currently reside in the Philippines. Applicants should have no existing professional and commercial entertainment contracts. The contest is open to one-man bands and groups with a maximum of seven members. Applicants are also required to create a YouTube page to upload their entries.
The original compositions are to be written in Filipino or another native language, or a mix of both. The composition should not have been previously uploaded on any social media or music streaming platform prior the competition. The song is to be accompanied with a performance music video showing the performers playing instruments. The songs should be about hope and inspiration.
The submission period is from Feb. 20 to March 20. Fifteen finalists will receive P150,000 worth of prizes and plus local and international opportunities. Three quarter-finalists will be chosen from the top 15 every quarter. Quarter-finalists will be announced on April 3.
The entries will be judged according to music quality and appeal (40%), presentation and creativity (40%), and content and song message (20%).
“We are talking to several record labels to work with us with the distribution and partnership. So if this is sealed, then it is another means for these artists to be recognized and to be heard on the live streaming platform,” Mr. Seludo added.
For more details and inquiries, visit Kanto Kultura’s Facebook page at facebook.com/kantokultura or Instagram: @kantokultura, or contact the CCP Marketing Department at (02) 8832-1125 local 1409/1800 or e-mail ccpkantokultura@gmail.com. — Michelle Anne P. Soliman