After 5-year hiatus, Vispop makes comeback

CEBU, Philippines – Vispop makes a return to the stage after the pandemic lockdown and other problems forced organizers to postpone the songwriting campaign for five years.

Six Vispop entries, ranging from Bisaya love songs to indie-jazz, reached the finals night, which was held at The Terraces in Ayala Center Cebu, Cebu City on on Saturday, August 27.

“We never thought that we would come to this point that we would be back, but now that we’re here, I’m so happy,” Vispop founder Jude Gitamondoc told Rappler on finals night.

The grand champion of Vispop X was “Para Natong Duha,” written by Keith John Quito and interpreted by Joseph Gara.

Gara told Rappler that their Vispop entry is a “poetic heartbreak story.”

“Keith John Quito, the writer of the song, tells us how painful it is to be friendzoned – almost like being treated as a brother,” Gara said.

The first runner-up was John Erscel’s “Hawid,” while Ferdinand Aragon’s “Bangon Adlaw” won second runner up.

Other finalists included:

• Kent Charcos, with “Da Vao”
• Mic Kindica, with “My Baleleng,” written by Paolo Olvido and Nazareth Actub
• Mary Anchit, with “Isayaw Tika”

The evening was also filled with special performances from Oh! Caraga, Kurt Fick, Jerika Teodorico, Morissette, Medyo Maldito, Jacky Chang, James Gulles, and Jewel Villaflores. – Rappler.com