Songs of Praise for Year-end 2010 Winners

“It’s hard to judge a song of praise, it involves the way of thinking, faith, passion, and ability with the words of God in the Bible.” These are the words of the Presiding Minister to the Members of Church of God International (MCGI), Bro. Eliseo Soriano, one of the judges in the 2010 A Song Of Praise Year-End-Finals.

The ASOP is being done twice a year by the MCGI as being administered by Bro. Eli Soriano and Bro. Daniel Razon. By years of sustenance, the program produced many songs of praises that could be used to praise God. The songs’ lyrics are carefully and vividly criticized according to the teachings based on the Bible. This competition is not more on the musicality of the song; it is more in the lyrics if it is according to the Bible. ”It carries the most important message of the song,” according to Bro. Eliseo Soriano who is the initiator of this program.

The A Song Of Praise (ASOP) Year-End-Finals was held at the Ang Dating Daan (ADD) Convention Center of the MCGI. The competition was comprised of thirteen finalists who were from different parts of the world gathered together to promote the singing of songs of praises to God.

Also, the songs presented in this competition are newly composed by various composers around the world, both amateur and professionals. ASOP aims to produce remarkable songs of praise for God.

The newly composed songs presented in this program are the following: Ama Salamat sa Iyo (Mindanao) by composer, Bro. Alfonso Malasaga and interpreted by Sis. Robbie Rose Demelletes, Huwag Nang Mawalay Pa (LBMR) by composer Bro. Reynar Salba and interpreted by Bro. Eugene Bayal, Ama Aming Moog at Tanggulan (Quezon-Marinduque) by composer Bro. Rogelio Fernandez and interpreted by Sis. Irene Barcellano, Sa Isang Sulok Lang (Visayas-Cebu) by composer Bro. Ariel Trias and interpreter, Sis. Catherine Campos; Salamat (Visayas-Bohol) by composer and interpreter, Sis. Venice Boliche, and In This Journey (NCR) by composer Bro. Jay Alvin Consigo and interpreter Sis. Naomi Sorianosos. The last one interpreted by Sorianosos was awarded as the song of the year while the one interpreted by Campos was hailed as second placer.

There were also entries from outside of the Philippines. Alleluia to our King (Hongkong) by composer and interpreter Bro. Erwin Friend, which got the third place, Grande Deus (South America) by composer Bro. Idlao Fernandez and interpreted by Bro. Oliver Lumanang and Sis. Ronnie Postero, Ang Aking Dios (Malaysia) by composer Bro. Rex Blaza and interpreted by Luela Andres, Maglilingkod sa’Yo (Asia-Singapore) by composer Bro. Jude Abarca and interpreted by Bro. Andy Abanto; and Dakilang Pag-ibig (Europe-London) by composer Bro. Dennis Damasco and interpreted by Sis. Joan Trance. The one interpreted by Abanto was held as first placer.

In the years of its continuous holding, new various genres of song of praises are being introduced.

Although, not all got a place in the rankings, none of them went home without a prize. Bro. Eli Soriano told the organizers to give them “recognition prizes”; this is to encourage the composers to create better songs. As of now, the UNTV where Bro. Daniel Razon is a CEO is planning to launch this coming year a Tawag ng Tanghalan-like program which features a competition presenting newly composed songs of praises.

(Written by: Mark Juneil Bucao)