98.7 DZFE The Master’s Touch has been recognized as an outstanding contributor to Filipino music in the first SUDI National Music Awards of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts. The station is one of the first nineteen musical personalities, groups, or institutions to receive a SUDI Award. According to Dr. Felipe M. de Leon, Jr., member of the technical working group which evaluated the nominees, and head of the NCCA National Committee on Music:
“Tinignan namin yung kanya-kanyang achievements based on research, at mayroon talagang malaki ang na-contribute kasi unang-una, nagpasok ng bagong anyo ng musika o nag-promote…Halimbawa, ang DZFE, matagal nang nagpapatugtog ng classical music iyan and the only radio station na talagang nagpapatugtog ng classical music. Ang dami na niyang naimpluwensyahan at mula pa noong araw naging institutional na, kaya inaasahan natin na kapag gusto natin ng classical music, we tune in to that.”
(We looked at each individual’s achievements based on research, and there really were those who greatly contributed [to Filipino music] because they introduced a new form of music or promoted it. For example, DZFE has been airing classical music for a long time and is the only radio station that does. It has influenced many and has become an institution ever since, so when we want to listen to classical music, we tune in to that.)
The public is invited to view the official awards ceremony, which will be presented online in two parts — August 21 and August 28 at 1900h. It will be streamed live via NCCA’s official Facebook page and YouTube channel (@NCCAOfficial).
Ahead of the awards ceremony, DZFE’s Station Manager, Tiffany Liong-Gabuya states, “Through the decades, we’ve reckoned success by our faithfulness to our original mandate—to serve our listening community with programs that foster a growing appreciation for classical music and impart the gospel of Christ. To be given a place among the inaugural batch of awardees is precious affirmation of our years of contribution from the community we serve.”
From the Ilocano word “Sudi” which means “illustrious, renowned, celebrated, or famous”, the SUDI National Music Awards aims “to recognize outstanding contributions of Filipino musical works, creators, institutions, and researchers across genres and modes of productions with the highest standard and artistic excellence”. It is spearheaded by the NCCA, which is helmed by Arsenio “Nick” Lizaso. Proposed by former NCCA Chairman and National Artist for Literature Dr. Virgilio Almario, the awards began the selection process in 2018. A technical working group, chaired by Noel Ferrer, researched and collected the information of artists, groups, and institutions from all over the Philippines. The technical working group was composed of National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab, NCCA National Committee on Music head Dr. Felipe de Leon, Jr., Organisasyon Ng Pilipinong Mang-aawit and Philpop executive director Dinah Remolacio, Elements Music Camp founder Twinky Lagdameo, Homonym founder and managing director Mike Constantino, and Filipino world music artist Bayang Barrios.
Noel Ferrer further explained the award criteria: “Instead of judging based on compositions…for a particular year, [for] this one ang tinitignan ‘yung achievement nila, ‘yung contribution nila sa music industry for a decade, at ‘yung impact nila na hanggang ngayon nararanasan natin. Dapat talaga
significant ’yung contribution, ‘yung bigat ng contribution din, at [kung] nanganak ba ‘yung mga contribution nila. Did it give rise to other artists or other students of music na patuloy na binubuhay ‘yung kultura natin?”
(Instead of judging based on compositions…for a particular year, for this one, we looked at their achievements, their contributions to the music industry for a decade, and whether their impact is still felt today. Their contributions need to be significant; [also considered were] the weight of the contribution and whether these contributions bore fruit. Did it give rise to other artists or other students of music who continue to give life to our culture?)
Awardees for the first SUDI Awards fall under two decade-categories, 2000-2009 (to which DZFE belongs) and 2010-2020. Living or currently existing nominees from different Philippine sectors were eligible for an award. The merit of an artist’s whole oeuvre was considered. The nominees were collated in dossiers which were then evaluated by a jury chaired by Ryan Cayabyab and consisting of Bobby Barreiro, Andre Allan Alvarez, Maria Rachelle Gerodias, Francis Reyes, Lutgardo Labad, Christian Bautista, Dr. Felipe De Leon, Jr. Dr. Elena Mirano, Melchor Villena, and Dr. Jose Buenconsejo.
Other winners for the 2000-2009 decade are Prof. Benicio Sokkong, Prof. Carmencita Guanzon Arambulo, Dr. Grace Nono, Mr. José Iñigo Homer Lacambra Ayala (Joey Ayala), Loboc Children’s Choir, Prof. Josefino Toledo, Dr. Raul Sunico, and UP Singing Ambassadors. The winners for the 2010-2020 decade are Acapellago, Ateneo Chamber Singers, Mr. Vincent Ferdinand Dancel (Ebe Dancel), Mr. Gerard Salonga, Mr. Aristotle Pollisco (Gloc-9), Mr. Jonathan Manalo, Mr. Noel Cabangon, Rak of Aegis, Philippine Madrigal Singers, and The 70’s Bistro Bar. Eight special citations were also included. These personalities, groups, and institutions were not eligible according to the set standards but their contributions were worth mentioning. They are: Akapela Open, Elements Music Camp, Philpop MusicFest Foundation, Pinoy Playlist Music Festival, Bayanihan Musikahan, Mr. Bob Aves, Prof. Danongan Sibay Kalanduyan, and Route 196.
Awardees will receive a trophy by artist Leo Abaya. It was his last project before passing away this year. The SUDI National Music Awards will continue to recognize the excellence of Filipino artists, groups, and institutions triennially to promote the creation, development, and performance of Filipino music.
For more information on the SUDI National Music Awards, visit: https://ncca.gov.ph/2021/02/02/ncca-sudi-awards/
Some winners also feature on a two-part podcast from the NCCA, hosted by technical working group project director, Noel Ferrer. Listen on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3slqwqd
