“Sobrang saya, sobrang saya. Actually never ko ngna-expect ito, but you know they say that the best things are the unexpected ones. Sakto ito sa buhay ko ngayon, sakto po yung kanta ko.” Ito ang ipinahayag ng singer na si Kris Lawrence ukol sa pagiging isa sa interpreter sa grand finals ng UNTV’s A Song of Praise (ASOP) Music Festival. Gaganapin ito sa November 7, 7 p.m., sa Smart Araneta Coliseum na may higit na isang milyong cash prizes at stake.
Nabanggit din ni Kris na isa na siyang born again. Kailan ito nag-start?
“Well, it’s been in the process, but you know when you give your life to Christ, it’s like you have to draw a line, you know what’s good, you know what’s bad. You know which is the right way and you know which is the wrong way.
“Alam mo naman tayo, masarap ‘yung mga bawal minsan, you know, we’re humans… You go back, you go forth, then unexpectedly siguro one year or two years ago, talagang I gave my life to Christ. I go to River of God, the church.”
Ang entry ni Kris sa ASOP ay ang “Patawarin Mo Ako”, mula sa komposisyon at lyrics ni Fernando Gardon. Paano niya ide-describe ang kantang ito?
Sagot ni Kris, “It’s a repentant song. You know, before you give your life to Christ, before you surrender your self to Christ, you have to say sorry. Kasi we’re born sinners, so iyon, it’s a great stepping-stone if you wanna give yourself to Christ. That’s why, sobrang sakto po talaga iyong song.”
Anyway, 12 Songs of Praise ang magtatagisan para sa Song of the Year award na ang mananalo ay tatanggap ng kalahating milyon piso. Ang mga awiting ito ay galing sa monthly winners na nagsimula noong November 2015. Ang grand champion dito ay tatanggap ng P500,000 cash prize, samantalang ang non-winning entries ay makakukuha ang bawat isa ng P20,000. Ang Best Interpreter Award at ang People’s Choice Award ay kapwa tatanggap ng P50,000.
Kabilang sa listahan ng grand finalists para sa taong ito ang mga sumusunod: God Will Always Make a Way – Composition and Lyrics by Glenn Bawa and Ronald Calpis (interpreter – Bugoy Drilon); Tapat Mong Pangako – Composition and Lyrics by Gulliver Enverga (interpreter – The Voysing); Ikaw Lamang – Composition and Lyrics by Jonathan Sta. Rita (interpreter – Tim Pavino); Ikaw Pala – Composition and Lyrics by Wilfredo Gaspar, (interpreter – Ima Castro); Tanging Ligaya – Composition and Lyrics by Angelica Soriano, (interpreter – Zendee); Ang Iyong Pangalan – Composition and Lyrics by Romarico Mendiola Jr., (interpreter – Jovit Baldovino); Araw at Ulan – Composition and Lyrics by Joselito Caleon (interpreter – Sitti); Pag-ibig Ka, Oh Dios – Composition and Lyrics by LJ Manzano, (interpreter – JBK); Mula sa Aking Puso – Composition and Lyrics by Joseph Ponce (interpreter – Carlo David); Kumapit Ka Lang – Composition and Lyrics by Noemi Ocio, (interpreter – Mela); at You Stood By Me – Composition and Lyrics by Vincent Labating, (interpreter – Jason Fernandez).
Ang ASOP ay sinimulan at mula sa inisyatiba nina Kuya Daniel Razon at Bro. Eli Soriano ng Members Church of God International (MCGI) na mas kilala sa religious program nitong Ang Dating Daan (The Old Path). Layunin ng ASOP Music Festival na i-enocurage ang mga amateur and professional songwriters upang lumikha at ihandog o i-share ang mga awitin ng pagpupuri sa Diyos.
Ginawa para sa TV ng Breakthrough and Milestones Production, Inc. – UNTV Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Kuya Daniel Razon, ang ASOP Music Festival ay kalahating dekada na sa kanilang search ng original compositions, proclaiming the power and greatness of the Lord Almighty.
Para sa karagdagan pang impormasyon sa ASOP Music Festival, bisitahin lamang ang official website nito sa https://www.asoptv.com. You can follow ASOP on Facebook via facebook.com/asop.untv and Twitter at twitter.com/asoptv. Maaaring bumoto para sa iyong choice of song sa https://www.asoptv.com/poll for the People’s Choice Award and support Original Pilipino Praise Music by subscribing to our official YouTube channel–https://www.youtube.com/asoptv
Ang lahat ng 12 songs ay napakikinggan na sa Wish FM 107.5.
Nonie’s Niche
by Nonie V. Nicasio
