Marian music festival draw many singers

IT was the first time that 10-year old Mary Rose Empuerto of Barili town will climb up onstage to perform.

“I do not know why I was chosen to sing this song but I will give my best,” she told Cebu Daily News.

And she did give her best in a princess-like gown singing about a narrative of the miracles and apparition involving Mama Mary with her song entitled “The House of Mary.”

Unlike her, Angel Romulito Pielago is considered a seasoned performer despite being the same age as Mary Rose.

The singing boy wonder from Malabuyoc town sang a Cebuano song “Pagkabulahan Mo”  (You are blessed.

These children are just two of the 15 performers who sang during the 27th Original Marian Song Festival.

Every year, the World Apostolate of Fatima (WAF)-Cebu chapter pools songs made for the Holy Mother.

This year, fifteen songs paying tribute to Mama Mary were showcased shortly following a Eucharistic celebration at the CAP auditorium, Cebu City yesterday.

The song festival drew a number of participants.

“We had to say to no to some entries because there are already too many. But we promised to include them for next year,” WAF archdiocesan president Editha Cantilado told CDN.

After more than two decades, it’s not just Cebuano composers contributing to the Cebu-based religious musical activity. In fact, an entry from Cavite was included in the 15 featured Marian songs this year.

The song entitled “Ina Ng Fatima” (Lady of Fatima) was interpreted by two teenage girls. /Correspondent Jessa J. Agua