What is Kantarriba?

“…we sort of give the students a blank canvass where they share what’s in their hearts then we help them share these to the community….”

ABUCAY, Bataan – A pop songwriting competition launched in 2013, KANTArriba started as a subject requirement – Radio Production, among Communication Arts students of the Colegio de San Juan de Letran Abucay Campus.

Now on its third year, it aims to highlight the creativity and talents of Letran students (high school and college) through composing songs that reflect the lives of students – their joys and sorrows, their triumphs and defeats, the challenges they hurdle, what inspire them, what keep them going. To vividly capture these poignant thoughts, the students also produce accompanying music videos for the songs.

Videos of the songs featured in the competition uploaded in Youtube garnered a cumulative 50K+ views and are also available in music streaming sites and stores such as Spotify, iTunes, Amazon.com and GooglePlay.

Indeed, the realization of such a competition is ever more pertinent to Letran-Bataan with the establishment of its campus radio, Arriba Campus Radio 87.9 FM, which can be heard all over the province and a simultaneous webcast catering to online listeners all over the world.

True to the purpose of a college radio, the competition showcases local talents such as Lorenz Baluyot, Chique Villeroz, Lyme Vichuaco, Vintage, Eat Bulaga’s Mikay Puzon, Ace Espinosa, Francis Adao, Suzette Soyangco, Pinoy Dream Academy’s Chad Peralta, flip top sensation Tipsy D., Carmella Servera, and viral diva Shanne Velasco; through airplay and promotion so that it reaches young audiences, either through radio or social media.

This year, 10 brand new original songs with the theme “Songs of Young Heart” were produced together with music videos sure to capture young hearts and the young at heart alike.

Yesterday, the premiere showing of the 10 music videos was held at the Audio Visual Room of Letran for the judging. The panel of judges was composed of Mr. Arlo Cordova, a graphic designer; Mr. Kurt Ibanes, photo journalist from the Tourism Office; Mrs. Alma Garcia and Mr. Roberto Pantig, senior education program specialists from DepEd; Mr. Francis Baluyot and Mr. Meji Love Laugo, photographer and film maker respectively of Shutterworks; and Ms. Aida R. Rubiano, Editor-in-Chief of 1Bataan.com.

All songs are arranged and mixed by Bataan music producer, Mr. Gabriel Jessie Guevarra, director for the Center for Alumni and Public Affairs of the Colegio de San Juan de Letran. Awards night will be held at the Plaza Mayor de Balanga on October 23.