''Singing Corruption Away''

A SINGING Spiderman emerged victorious at the Second Integrity TV Show (''Himig Dangal'') Anti-Corruption Songwriting Competition Grand Finals.

The first of its kind, the event was part of the Office of the Ombudsman-European Commission Corruption Prevention Project, a three-year program aimed at curbing graft and corruption in all sectors of Philippine society. It was launched last year.

But why a songwriting contest? In an interview, Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez said: ''Music is the most effective medium in communicating these anti-corruption messages.'' Music, she explained further in a public statement, is a universal language that knows no boundaries; it cuts across and brings together different generations and social classes.

Clad in a Spiderman costume, Lemuel Samblero as ''Peter Parker the Kwela Rapper'' wowed the judges with his entry, ''Mahiya Naman Kayo.'' His arresting lyrics and passionate delivery carried the day for his song, which had clever lines like: ''Tinataas ang mga bayarin/ Bayan ay lumalagpak/ Ang hindi lang tumataas/ Ay ang mga pandak.''

No stranger to the business, Samblero has a gospel rap-album released under the Praise Inc. label using his other pseudonym, ''Beracah the Gospel Rapper.'' This time around, he chose to impersonate Spiderman, his favorite childhood superhero, because the character's persona as a crimefighter suited the contest theme. It worked. Samblero took home P250,000 and a free trip to London courtesy of the British Council Philippines.

Taking second place was Gideon Marcelo’s “Walang Kurap.” A Metropop grand prize winner, Marcelo rendered his song with The Hood, a hip-hop group. Christine Bendebel’s “Crossroads,” performed by jazz artist Isha Abubakar, placed third.

Other participants included R&B star Kyla, who sang “Tayo Nang Maglingkod Sa Bayan,” by gospel composer Roberto M. david, and rock icon Dong Abay, who gave a quirky rendition of Gary Granada’s “Ang Kailangan Gawin.”

The show, aired live on the National Broadcasting Network, was held at the AFP Theater last May 12.

Of more than 190 songwriters from across the country who entered over 250 songs, 10 made it to the finals.

Varying in rhythm and style but showing a collective aspiration to “build a culture of integrity and excellence,” the finalists’ compositions were compiled into an album and are aired on ratio stations nationwide with the help of the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster sa Pilipinas. Titled “Finalists of the Anti-Corruption Songwriting Competition,” the album features a diverse mix ranging from jazz to ska, pop, soul, and rock n’ roll.

Whether it’s with a hopeful call for change or a downright admonition, the songwriters and their chosen singers prove they take the corruption issue seriously. The winning song says it best: “Para sa mga mahal nating pulitiko/ Sa mga nagtatrabaho sa ating gobyerno/ Sana naman ay maging tapat kayo/ Dahil kung hindi, Mahiya naman kayo.”