It was a night that defined the future of original Pinoy music as young aspiring songwriters from various universities and colleges vied for the title of being Pioneer Insurance’s #MoveOnLang Songwriting Competition Grand Winner at the Hord Rock Cafe in Makati.
From a total of 150 song entries, ten made it to the finals night but it was Josef Escoto who proved “Invincible” among all finalists, copping a cool P100,000 grand prize and be adjudged maiden winner of the insurance firm’s first songwriting contest.
Benjamin Quijano came in second with his song “Aking Mundo,” to bring home P50,000, while “Alive” by Kenneth Roquid earned him P30,000 and a thrid place nod from the judges bannered by FILSCAP Chairman Nonoy Tan, Lorenzo Chan Jr., Pioneer Life Inc. President, Joy Mesina, One Music PH Editor-In-Chief, Noel Cabangon, FILSCAP Trustee and FILSCAP President Rico Blanco.
Pioneer also awarded the remaining seven finalists with P10,000 each. Julia Dichoso’s song “Hand in Hand” received 44.96% of online votes and was crowned as Online favorite.
Pioneer also gave a Special Recognition Award to Drei Chua of San Beda College Alabang for his entry “Bangon,” an exceptional composition that organizers feel perfectly describes Pioneer’s promise to its clients. Aside from the cash prize, all winners received P100,000 worth of insurance coverage from Pioneer.
Pioneer launched the #MoveOnLang Songwriting Contest in partnership with FILSCAP and One Music PH to encourage the youth to pursue artistic endeavors and to celebrate the Filipino trait of resiliency.
The winning song entries can be listened to on www.moveonlang.ph and Pioneer Insurance’s Soundcloud (www.soundcloud.com/pioneerph). All 11 songs are now available on Spotify, iTunes and Google Play.
Peter Paul Duran
