Maintaining the rich heritage of Filipino liturgical music, the winners of the annual Purihi't Pasalamatan National Songwriting Competition were presented by the Jesuit Music Ministry at the Kalle 5 restobar in Quezon City, recently.

From 149 entries, six finalists went through rigorous evaluation, and three winners were announced at the event.

Taking the top spot is "We Come To You" by Anthony Go Villanueva and Joel Zaporteza, as performed by Kammerchor Manila.

Taking second place is Jay-El Blaza Viteño's song "Umawit ang Sambayanan" as performed by the Eastern Chamber Singers, while third place went to "Tayo'y Magsiawit at Magpuri" by Erwin Vargas as sung by the Ambassadors for Christ Chamber Singers.

The other three finalists, ''Halad Pasalamat" by Jundel Bacalso and LYRe, "Ang Among Mga Halad" by Bryan Angelo Bisin, Nathaniel Cabañero, and Koro Crescendo, and "Magtipon Bayan ng Diyos" by Fr. Leo Alaras and Coco Recoleto, were also recognized during the awards ceremony.

Anthony shared with us the inspiration behind "We Come To You."

"Actually, nung cocompose ako on the spot ko siya ginawa, my inspiration kasi with that song is meron ako tinatapos na mass for St. James, sinabihan ko si Joel na gumawa ng english text na mga kanta, nung tinitingan ko na yung mga lyrics na sinulat niya dun na nag-akma yung song," Anthony said.

(Actually, I composed it on the spot, I was inspired because I had just finished a Mass for St. James. I asked Joel to write some English lyrics, and when I looked at what he came up with, the song fit perfectly)

The Board of Judges, chaired by Fr. Manoling Francisco, SJ, include professor Alejandro Consolacion II, Dra. Maria Theresa Vizconde-Roldan, professor Jude Roldan, Fr. Fruto Ramirez, SJ, and Fr. Nemesio Que, SJ.

During the awarding ceremony,  Fr. Nono Alfonso, SJ, executive director of Jesuit Communications, gave an update regarding the process of having the late priest-composer Eduardo Hontiveros, SJ, proclaimed as National Artist for Music.

"We entered his name. 'Yun lang ang masasabi namin. Deliberations are ongoing. This is our third attempt," he said.

"We know from the past that the objections were… na si father Hontiveros daw, his music, only caters to the Catholic Church, to the Catholic faithhood. That's something like 85% of the Filipino nation," he added.

But Fr. Nono recalled that during a recent trip to France, he actually heard a choir there performing "Papuri sa Diyos," which was written by Fr. Hontiveros.

"Nagulat na lang ako na 'yung misa was in French and yet 'yung choir kumanta ng songs ni Fr. Hontiveros like 'Papuri sa Diyos' and others. His song is being sung not only in the Philippines, but anywhere Filipinos are. We have to recognize that. Source of Filipino pride siya," Fr. Nono said.

(I was just surprised that the mass was in French and yet the choir sang songs by Fr. Hontiveros like 'Papuri sa Diyos' and others. His song is being sung not only in the Philippines, but anywhere Filipinos are. We have to recognize that. He is a source of Filipino pride)