Can’t Sing? This Local Contest Was Made For Sintonado People Like You

(SPOT.ph) It is a truth universally acknowledged that a Filipino must be in posession of a good singing voice. Various talent shows like The Voice, Pilipinas Got Talent, The Singing Bee are a testament to that fact, having made a name out of many exceptional vocalists...but what about the rest of us who can't carry a tune? A local singing contest has emerged to provide the citizens of Negros Occidental a chance to sing, regardless of vocal prowess. 

The Search for the Libagon Champion is an online singing contest for Kabankalan City residents who can’t sing. We're not kidding. Libangon means “out of tune” in Hiligaynon or Ilonggo, the language spoken in Negros. The grand winner receives P5,000 and a trophy, while the top 10 contestants receive P1,000 and a certificate.

“Na-notice ko na ‘yung mga tao mahilig kumanta, may passion sa pagkanta. Pinoy eh. That is why ang karaoke ay sikat, isa sa mga favorite pastimes ng mga Pinoy. Sa dami-daming kumakanta, dami ring kumakanta na sintonado pero nahihiya kaya kumakanta lang sa kanilang mga bahay,“ Vice Mayor Miguel “Migz” Zayco was quoted as saying.

The Search for the Libagon Champion, a singing contest for people who can't sing

The Search for the Libagon Champion was initiated by Zayco in mid-August.

Contestants were asked to submit a one-minute clip of them singing with no music accompaniment, which was then posted on Zayco’s Facebook page. Whoever has the most reacts was crowned Libagon Champion.

The post calling for contestants reached 19,000 reacts and 11,000 shares. It wasn’t just fun and games for Kabankalan residents, though. More than 100 (non)singers had actually participated in the contest, according to Zayco.

“Noong nakita nila 'yung ang Libagon Challenge, naka-relate kaagad. Marami nga akong nakikitang tina-tag nila ang mga kaibigan nila," Zayco was quoted as saying.

The singing contest ended on September 1. Take a look at the winning performances below:

The Libangon Champion is 29-year-old Rona Gustilo, an OFW working in Hong Kong. The rest of the top 10 winners were awarded in-person on September 4.

Want to join this contest too? Zayco said he has plans of bringing this competition nationwide by next year, this time called “SINGtonado, ang boses ng bawat Pilipino na wala sa tono.”