September 18th was a cold, windy day. But the performances that night of our Filipino-Canadian bands at the Winnipeg Musiklaban 2010 contest more than compensated for the lousy weather outside Garrick Centre downtown.
Fresh from its success last year, Winnipeg Musiklaban once again brought talented amateur bands from our community on stage to shine and amaze audiences of all ages. Filipino-Canadian bands Sacrament, Eryza Plague, Project Clear Sky, Mustave, Casting the Circle, Hearts or Crosses and Tuldok brought the house down as they battled it out on stage to be this year’s Musiklaban champion. They each performed a cover and an original song. Guest performers Half-Man Half-Elf, Last Second Decision (2009 champion) and Radio Refugees entertained the appreciative audience as well.
Speaking to the judges Shawna Coultrand of Manitoba Film and Music, Meran Currie-Roberts of Manitoba Conservatory of Music and Arts, and Maui Zamora of CKJS Radio and Aftertouch band backstage, they told me how talented the contestants were and how it was difficult to proclaim just one winner. But there can be only one, as they say. And in the end that honour went to Mustave!
It was a bit emotional for members Maeiou, Jhayar, Kitz, Borj and Kervy who said they did not expect to win, as they felt they were up against fierce competition.
Mustave brought home a total $1,300 worth of cash and gift certificates as prizes, and of course the bragging rights of being the Winnipeg Musiklaban 2010 champions!
As with last year, the event is also a fundraiser. One hundred percent of th ticket proceeds will be shared between the Philippine Canadian Centre of Manitoba (PCCM) and a needy child under the protection of the GMA Kapuso Foundation in the Philippines. Report on the total amount raised for these beneficiaries will be published next issue.
Again, congratulations to Mustave and all our Filipino-Canadian bands for a job well done! Thank you to all our generous sponsors, media partners, guests, supporters and hardworking volunteers. See you at next year’s Winnipeg Musiklaban!
“More pictures coming up in the next issue.”
