Songwriting tilt for the Quadricentennial celebration

The University of Santo Tomas (UST) has launched a song writing contest which aims to come up with a banner song as part of the university’s grand quadri-centennial celebration in 2011.

According to the UST’s Office of Public Affairs, the contest will be open to all Thomasians: Alumni, faculty members and students including immediate family members of Thomasians. However, members of the Screening Committee are disqualified from entering the contest.

Ms. Giovanilla Fontanilla, UST Office of Public Affairs chief, said that each entry may be individually or collaboratively authored. However, she said, that only one prize will be awarded in case of collaborative composition.

“But each participant may submit as many entries as they can,” Fontanilla said.

Fontanilla said mechanics of the contest include:

- The theme of the song must contain the idea of the university as it celebrates its Qudricenennial.

- The duration of the song must at least two minutes but not exceed three minutes.

- The song may be English or Filipino

- The song must be certified original by the contestant. UST shall not be held liable should complaints due to similarities or likeness of the song arise. The contestant has the sole responsibility to prove its authenticity

- Submitted entries must be sung by a solo singer/artist with ourwithout instrumental accompaniment

- Contestants must fill out an application form and shall submit one (1) recent 2”x2” colored photo. Application form may be obtained from the Office of Public Affairs or may be downloaded from the UST website: http://www.ust.edu.ph/

Fontanilla said that entries must be submitted in CD format together with hard copies of the lyrics and the accomplished application form In sealed brown envelopes. She added that contestants may also send their entries via email provided that they indicate their name, address and contact number.

Fontanilla said that submission of entries is from August 17, 2009 to November 5, 2009 at the Office of Public Affairs or at opa@mnl.ust.edu.ph. International and regional entries, meanwhile, may be submitted through mail or courier and must be postmarked on or before November 5, 2009.She said that criteria for judging will be 70 percent for music and 30 percent for lyrics.

“The Screening Committee shall choose five finalists who will be informed through courier or email on November 15, 2009. The finalists will then choose their own interpreters, preferably professional singers,” Fontanilla said.

Fontanilla said the Grand Finals will be held on December 10, 2009 at the UST Medicine Auditorium with the Grand prize winner taking home P150, 000, second place winner P100, 000 and third place winner P75, 000. A consolation prize of P20, 000 will also be given to the non winners.Fontanilla also added that submitted entries shall become the property of the university. (Francis T. Wakefield)