Last year’s runner-up wins 2nd Akapela Open: ‘Pure bliss’

PINOPELA performed an eight-minute suite that included Ryan Cayabyab’s “Kahit Ika’y Panaginip Lang.”

Improving on its second place finish in the 2013 Akapela Open, Pinopela, an eight-member group from Baguio City, won this year’s edition of the a cappella singing contest, besting nine other acts during the recent finals at Meralco Theater.

“Pure bliss” was how Pinopela’s JJ Pimpinio, in an interview with the Inquirer, described the feeling of bagging the title.

The other group members are: Ryan Lamaroza, Timmy Go, Anthony Castillo, Jessalyn Doldol, Charmaine Suyo, Zsaris Mendioro and Ingrid Payaket. All of them, except for Mendioro were in Saint Louis University Glee Club. “We often played gigs at Kaffee Klatsch restaurant in Baguio. That’s how we improved our pop singing,” Pimpinio said.

A standout

Pinopela stood out with an eight-minute suite made up of “Skyfall” by Adele and a medley of “Locked Out of Heaven” and “Treasure” by Bruno Mars and “Bang Bang” by Jessie J, Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj.

This year’s finalists were required to include in their performances a song by Ryan Cayabyab, who heads the competition through his eponymous music school, in cooperation with One Meralco Foundation and PLDT Smart Foundation. Pinopela selected Cayabyab’s “Kahit Ika’y Panaginip Lang.”

Cash prize

The winning group took home P250,000 in cash. In second and third places were Dynamix (which received a special award for best arrangement) and defending champion Acapella Go, which won P150,000 and P100,000, respectively.

Pimpinio said his group hopes to represent the country in an international competition: “We dream of standing on a global stage with our uniquely Filipino and contemporary a cappella sound.”

Although Cayabyab doesn’t see a cappella music breaking through the local mainstream music scene any time soon, he said it’s still important to continue raising awareness and appreciation of it.

He told the Inquirer, “Maybe at some point, we’ll start hearing more a cappella music on the radio. But right now, we’re focusing on education and building a community of a cappella singers.”

Aside from the competition, Cayabyab conducts free workshops around the country. Since initiating the drive last year, Cayabyab has been to Pampanga, Aurora, Cebu, Negros Oriental, Cagayan de Oro and Davao. “We meet a lot of young music lovers. My daughter Krina usually goes with me. We teach singing and songwriting.”

Packed workshops

The workshops are usually packed, Cayabyab said, adding that it is heartening to see many young people eager to learn more about a cappella singing. “Teaching is a breeze, as many of them can already read sheet music. I have a lot fun,” he said. “We also get choir singers who want to learn new styles and techniques.”

Asked how he sees the Akapela Open in the following couple of years, Cayabyab said, “I would love for this contest to eventually go regional.” (E-mail: [email protected])