Mary Anchit secured two Siloys during the Cebu Siloy Music Awards 2023 Presentation in Auckland, New Zealand on May 26, 2023. The mother of one took the awards for Best Vocal Performance, Female and Song of the Year for her song, “Isayaw Tika”. In announcing the award for her performance, Mel B. Libre, who hosted the FB Live program, said, “Singing the lullaby, Ïsayaw Tika, Mary Anchit’s sweet motherly voice exudes pure love to her first child and has charmed not just mothers, but even the hardest of rockers. Padayon, Mary Anchit!”
In the two other categories that she was nominated, as Breakthrough Artist of the Year and for Best Collaboration (with Jerika Teodorico for “Matulog Ta’ng Duha”), Anchit lost out to mrld (“Ikaw Pa Rin”) and Julia Q & Jericho Streegan (“Unspkn”) respectively. Anchit, who appeared as presentor, closed the presentation with a stunning performance of “Isayaw Kita”.
The other winners were: Kurt Fick (Best Vocal Performance, Male), MakaGirls (Best Duo/Group), Kenn Tayogandaga (Best Alternative Music Performance), Jewel Villaflores (Best Inspirational Song Performance), Jacky Chang (Best Dance Song Performance), and VispopX and Organic sharing the Event/Initiative of the Year.
Among the surprise winners were MakaGirls whose song, “Sa Makausa” composed by Jundel Bacalso had failed to reach the finals of VispopX, and Kenn Tayogandaga from Davao whose rock song “Manamilit” bested favorites SE24, Juan Paasa and The Sundown.
The presentation was spiced up by the performances of Benmark Mercado (who sang his Minpop 2022 grand prize winning song, “Pipi Bulag Bingi”), Do Medi (who rendered an acoustic version of “Tikasan”), Ben Noynay (who beamed from Melbourne, Australia and interpreted “Lawas Kalag Katarungan”) and Jericho Streegan (serenading with his latest song, “True”).
One of the highlights of the 7th edition of the awards was the acceptance by Max Surban of the Siloy Bantugan Award whose citation reads: “For decades, Max Surban has been at the forefront producing not just Bisaya novelty songs, but also classics such as Baleleng and his duets with Pilita Corrales. He is also one of the pioneers in indie music production and is not afraid to try new things such as collaborating with Bisaya rock band Missing Filemon.”
Surban also paid tribute to his friend, the late Yoyoy Villame who took the Siloy Bahanding Awit for the song “Magellan”. He said “Usa ka historical song ang “Magellan” nga dunaý touch of comedy busa makalingaw kaayo. Maong hangtud karon daghan gihapon ang ganahan
maminaw sa awit nga “Magellan”.” He added, “Mipanaw ang akong higala nga si Yoyoy
Villame sa edad nga sintenta i-kuwatro apan ang iyang mga awit ug ang iyang kabantugan magpabilin’g buhi sa kasingkasing sa katawhan.”
Find the full list of winners and nominees below.
Siloy Bantugan Award
Max Surban
Siloy Bahanding Awit
Magellan by Yoyoy Villame
Song of the Year
A Songwriter(s) Award
Bayhana
Di Na
Do Re Migo Ra Mi
Hawid
Isayaw Tika
Mopadayon
Para Natong Duha
Undangon Ta Ni
RJ Ensalada
Jerika Teodorico
Jundel Bacalso
John Erscel Malagar
Mary Anchit (Winner)
Jewel Villaflores
Keith John Quito
Morisette Amon, Ferdinand Aragon, Relden Campanilla, Carlisle Tabanera, Dave Lamar
Best Vocal Performance, Female
Jacky Chang
Jerika Teodorico
Jewel Villaflores
Margrethe Matin-ao
Mary Anchit
Mau Ria
Morisette Amon
mrld
Bayhana
Wa Pa Ni Mahitabo
Mopadayon
Do Re Migo Ra Mi
Isayaw Tika (Winner)
Unsa Kaha
Undangon Ta Ni
Ikaw Pa Rin
Best Vocal Performance, Male
Domedi Tikasan
Ferdinand Aragon
Bangon Adlaw
James Gulles Usa ka Libo ug Usa ka Panamilit
John Erscel Hawid
Joseph Gara Para Natong Duha
Kent Charcos Da Vao
Kurt Fick Di Na (Winner)
Milky Lozarita Dili Ko Sumhan
Best Duo or Group Performance
FlipGang Mamacita
MakaGirls Sa Makausa (Winner)
Mampor & Me My Baleleng
Oh! Caraga Hinaut
P Square
Bingi Bulag Pipi
Reon A Place I Could Call Home
Three-Legged Men Please Don’t Stay
Wonggoys Ig Human
Best Alternative Music Performance
Bethany Bright
Juan Paasa SiLouie
Kenn Tayogandaga Manamilit (Winner)
Mitosh Rafanan Pagdahum
Pavel Camoro Bayot Ko
SE 24 Chada
Sepia Times Intravenous
The Sundown Last Dance
Best Collaboration
Cookie$ x Fonzy
Palmolive
Jerika Teodorico x Mary Anchit Matulog Ta’ng Duha
Jingkie, Xila, Latigo, Domedi
Juan Karlos x Janine Berdin
Sugta
Pancit
Julia Q x Jericho Streegan Unspkn (Winner)
KZ Tandingan x Ben&Ben Sabel
Oh! Caraga x Gustav Gahi’g O
Vincent Eco x Mampor&Me
Kita Mga Bagani
Best Inspirational Song Performance
Ben Noynay
Eva de los Santos
Ferdinand Aragon
Jewel Villaflores
Manny Lapingcao
Pavel Camoro
Lawas Kalag Katarungan
Someday
Bangon Adlaw
Mopadayon (Winner)
Hinuktuki
Salamat Kaayo
The Agadiers Magdungan Ta
Wonggoys Ig Human
Best Dance Song Performance
Cookie$ x Fonzy
Palmolive
DJ Sandy Paru-paru G
FlipGang Mamacita
Jacky Chang
Kurt Fick
Bayhana (Winner)
Tingbits
Morisette Undangon Ta Ni
Relden Iro
Event/Initiative of the Year
Live Concert Series: Homegrown Hits
MinPop 2022
MusikaNimo
Organic (Winner)
Puff Tour
Rakrakan Year 5
Summer Symphony: Local Series
Vispop Music Festival (Winner)
Breakthrough Artist of the Year
John Erscel
Joseph Gara
Kent Charcos
Kurt Fick
Mary Anchit
mrld (Winner)
Relden
The Sundown
When Max Surban was chosen as the Siloy Bantugan awardee for 2023, it was one of the ambitions of the organizers to get him to appear in the awarding presentation. It was a lofty dream, but not unreachable. Having dealt with Max in the past and knowing his humble nature, this writer was a bit confident of getting the Bisaya music icon to accept the invitation.
On the first week of May, we sent the invitation via Messenger. Then we waited. No response. Still we waited. Still no response. Probably, Max was busy with gigs or maybe indisposed. We lost hope. So, we revised the script by simply having the host announce the award and acknowledging him.
Then on 22 May, we received a response. It came from Max’s daughter Arlene Wright, who communicated in her father’s account. She said that she had just read the invitation while trying to retrieve the account. “Sabihin ko kay papa. Pwede pa ba?” she wrote.
Immediately, we responded, “Pwede””, with instruction on the technical details of sending the pre-recorded video. Since we also requested Max to announce the Bahanding Awit award to Magellan composed by his close friend, the late Yoyoy Villame, Arlene suggested for us to invite Hannah Villame, Yoyoy’s entertainer daughter. With the limited time available, we opted not to put more pressure on ourselves.
We asked Arlene to send the material by 25 May as we were editing the videos for the presentation. Thursday came and no updates in the Messenger chat. We made a follow up. Arlene responded by 12 noon, admitting that “My dad is not internet savvy…Wala po marunong mag video using cel sa bahay. Nandito po ako sa Vancouver.” She said that she would ask a friend to go to her dad’s residence to make the video. “I hope it will work out,” she added.
And it did work out. At 12:07 am on 26 May, Arlene forwarded the video of Max Surban. In his video, the living legend acknowledged the award, sang one of his songs and made a beautiful tribute to his buddy, Yoyoy Villame whose song, “Magellan” was awarded as Siloy Bahanding Awit.
Thank you, Arlene. To Max Surban, Happy 55 years of entertaining! And we look forward to your 85th birthday celebration next year, to be exact on May 15, 2024. (Mel B. Libre)
Ang Siloy Bahanding Awit karong tuiga ipasidungog sa kantang “Magellan” nga sinulat ug girecord sa akong amigo nga si Yoyoy Villame. Migawas kining awita niadtong dekada 70 og naila dili lang sa Kabisay-an kun dili sa tibuok Pilipinas. Hangtud karon ang awit nga Magellan nagpabilin nga kinaham sa mga katawhan tungod sa si-aw nga paghulagway sa pag-abot ni Magellan sa Pilipinas. Maong dapat lang nga kini atong ipasigardo isip Bahanding Awit. Kongrats, Yoyoy Villame.
Best Vocal Performance, Female, Cebu Siloy Music Awards 2023
Q: Tell about how you started in your music journey?
A: I started as a vocalist of the band CHISCA. Pursued my passion in songwriting in 2016 as a solo artist.
Q. You came out with your debut album, Miss Mary, containing English compositions. How was the reception of your songs on radio and during concerts?
A: I get feedbacks from friends that 'Hero' was played on the radio. On live performances, I could see/hear the audience sing a few lines of the song.
Q. Of the songs in Miss Mary, which one enjoyed airplay? What was your favourite song in the album?
A: Matilda's March
Q. When did you decide to write Bisaya songs?
A: Since Vispop 2. I submitted an entry then, and made it only to top 20.
Q. What was the inspiration in your writing “Isayaw Tika”?
A: My motherhood journey and my daughter.
Q. You’ve done duets with Vincent Eco (in “Ibog”) and Jerika Teodorico (in “Matulog Ta’ng Duha”). How did you find collaborating with them? Who among the Vispop artists do you dream of doing a duet?
A: Collaborating with them was fun. I'd be glad to collaborate with any Cebuano artist as long as our music preferences meet.
Q. You are a teacher by profession. What do you teach? How do your students react knowing you are a singer-songwriter?
A: I teach Junior High School Music and English. I have a few students who would message me when they get to hear my songs.
Q. Can one be simultaneously a teacher and active musician? Are you able to balance these two careers?
A: Of course. It's a matter of setting priorities, and managing time.
Q. Has motherhood affected your being a music artist in terms of creativity and of your performing in gigs?
A: Motherhood is a whole different story in itself. So I think my songs will talk a lot about it in the future.
Q. What are your plans as far as your music is concerned?
A: I'll write songs time and again, while I'm still quite busy with my toddler. Record demos, and maybe release singles. I'm thinking of slowly getting back to teaching voice classes and put up my home studio.
Cebu Siloy Music Awards 2023
(Mary Anchit-Bedua)
Mohunong lang sa
‘Ning kalibutan
Ingáni lang ‘sa
Sa pagkakaron
Balik-balik, adlaw-adlaw
Wala lang sa’y laing lingaw
Kani lang ‘sa
Sa pagkakaron
Isayaw tika
Buntag hapon
Dili mapul-an bisan pa’g
Mao ra gihapon
Magbaylo man ang mga lakang
Dili na panumbalingon
Basta ikaw isayaw ko
Unang tikang
Dungan nga tun-an ta
Tuyok gamay
Dalang kiay-kiay
Itabyug-tabyug
Iduyan ka sa akong kamot
Sa akong dughan
Ikaw mag-a-uraray
Ug isayaw kita
Matag adlaw
Ug bisan di magkadimao
Dili motalaw
Mosaksi ang buwan
Sa atong mga lihok nga nagyagaw
Hangtud mongitngit
Ikaw akong isayaw
Kay dili ni magdugay
Nga ingon ini ka kagamay
Ug dili sa hangtud ang akong
kusog
Nga maduyan ka, inday
Mohunong man ang mga awit
Dili ko magmahay
Nga sa walay puas
Ug wala maý pahuway
Nga isayaw tika
Isayaw tika
Mohunong man ang mga awit
Dili ko magmahay
Nga hangtud sa hangtud
Mohinay man ang tuhod
Isayaw ka nako
Pinangga ko.
This song has taken a life of its own as a winner because of the lovely interpretation of Mary Anchit and the genuinely heartfelt lyrics of the song. This song is bound to become a Bisaya classic in the same breathe as Matud Nila, Usahay, Hahaha Hasula and Pero Atik Ra.
Singing the lullaby, Ïsayaw Tika, Mary Anchit’s sweet motherly voice exudes pure love to her first child and has charmed not just mothers, but even the hardest of rockers. Padayon, Mary Anchit!
When people talk about Kurt Fick, they associate him with Hahaha Hasula. But such talent is no one hit wonder, having released two memorable songs in 2022 namely Di Na and Tingbits. If Kurt can be romantic with his voice so can he bring us to the dance floor.
Jewel has remained consistent in the quality of original songs she’s produced since her first album, Bahandi. The anthem, Mopadayon, soars high with the distinctive voice of Jewel intertwined in a song with such inspiring message. God bless you, Jewel
Bisaya dance music has never sounded so good, that it is now at par with the best in the world. Leading the beat is Maoy Queen Jacky Chang with the anthemic Bayhana. Ngilngig ning Bayhana, si Jacky Chang.
Though the song didn’t reach the finals of VispopX, Jundel Bacalso’s “Sa Makausa” still stood out because of the powerful, as well as, sensuous delivery of MakaGirls. These three ladies remain remarkable not just in their harmony and vocal delivery, but likewise in their live performances.
Kenn Tayogandaga doesn’t have the look expected of a rock musician, but his eclectic musical composition, Panamilit, and his confident vocal delivery makes him a rock star, hands down
This Individual from Bogo, Cebu charmed the world with her song, Än Art Gallery Could Never Be as Unique as You and other songs like Ligaya and Ikaw Pa Rin. She appeared in the Digital Billboard in New York and has jammed with the biggest names in the Philippine music scene. Way to go, Mariel de Jesus aka mrld.
These two young and talented singer-songwriters have such advanced taste in music combining soul and jazz with a sprinkling of pop. You just have to keep silent to enjoy the beauty of their sweet delivery of Unspkn. Felicitations to you both Julia and Jericho.
Top to Bottom: Max Surban, Do Medi, Benmark Mercado, Jericho Streegan, Ben Noynay and Mary Anchit
Top to Bottom: Bhava Mitra, Ferdinand Aragon, Cattski, Jiji Aligno, and Yo Emperado
B ORIG RADIO SHOW. Celebrating Bisaya Original Music, broadcasting & podcasting from New Zealand to the world. One full hour once a week with replay. Hosted by former Y101 and NU107 disc jockey Free Mel and Minpop 2022 grand prize winner Benmark.
To listen to all episodes, simply click: https://www.freefm.org.nz/Programmes/Details.aspx?PID=70343183-1134-4f05-a494b10fb96a759d
