Tacloban City (3 August) -- With the objective of enriching the culture of Eastern Visayas and promoting Waray music, the first Tanauan Waray Pop Music Festival was held in Tanauan, Leyte on August 2, 2005.

Bagging the songwriting competition is Pete Ryan Avila for his song Torre (Tower) while Philipp Nielo (Ha Bungto Han Kamagaraman) and Loreto Tizon (Dapdap) won the second and third prize, respectively.

The Best Interpretation was won by a young lawyer, Atty. Ronald Ronan Reposar with his own composition Kamamingaw.

Fifteen songwriters from all over the region vied for the Songwriter of the year and Best Interpreter awards. Sponsored by the Knights of Columbus Sacred Heart of Jesus Council and the municipal government of Tanauan, the contest revolved around the theme:" Hulagway Han Kinabuhi Ha Tanauan"( Way of Life in Tanauan).

Mr. Alex Villegas, K of C grand knight said that Tanauan is not only the "cradle of intellectuals" (as it has long been known) but a "pool of talents" and so it is but right that the Waray Pop Music Festival be held there.

Atty. Joe Buban, former Tacloban City Councilor whose wife Corazon, is this year's hermana mayor, wished the Balikbayans will hear the songs. He is sure that the songs will instill nationalism and love for Leyte and Samar within them. He is amazed at the number of talents the Region has whose potentials are not tapped because they are not given the right venues for them to develop their God-given talents. He is awed on the depth the message of the songs written by young composers in the Region.

For his part, Atty. Roque A. Tiu, the municipal mayor pledged to continue to support cultural initiatives not only as a means of developing the potentials of the people of Region VIII, not only as a tourism tool but as a means of inculcating appreciation and love for Leyte Samar values, rich culture and traditions among the people. Mayor Tiu is known for initiating cultural activities in the Region. He founded the Pintados festival in 1986 and together with his wife initiated the Pasaka festival in Tanauan in 1992. Both festivals have won acclaims in national and regional competitions.

The well-known Balinsasayaw Singers of Tanauan have cut two CD tapes produced by the Tanauan Municipal Tourism Council headed by Mrs. Olive Tiu, in cooperation with the Municipal Government of Tanauan, Leyte.

Mayor Tiu is now looking into the possibility of cutting CD tapes for the winners. With the support of the elective officials, he is hoping this will become a reality. (PIA-8)