After losing in the previous season of A Song of Praise (ASOP) Music Festival songwriting competition, former call center agent Joyner Dizon decided to follow all the suggestions of ASOP judges from past episodes and applied it to his new entry entitled, “Awa”.

“Bukod sa nakakapagpuri ka na sa Dios sa pagsali dito, uuwi ka pa may dagdag kang kaalaman mula sa lahat – sa judges, sa interpreters at sa buong ASOP team,” said Dizon.

(Aside from praising God by joining this contest, I was able to learn new things from everyone, including the judges, interpreters and the entire ASOP team.)

He also personally picked his interpreter, Dan Billano, who, incidentally, performed the song that beat his entry last time.

“Napansin ko po ‘yung pagkanta niya, may puso. So, ‘yun po kasi ‘yung pinakaimportante sa musician, may puso,” Dizon added.

(I noticed that he sang the song with all his heart. That’s what’s important for musicians, putting his heart on what she or he sings.)

For Billano’s part, he said, he tries to understand first the meaning of the song when interpreting it especially when he’s not familiar with it.

All efforts paid off as Dizon’s “Awa” was declared the last weekly winner for the month of December.

“Awa” defeated the entries “Aking Dios” written by Ronald Diez and sang by Raynal Simon, and “Amang Mahabagin” composed by Israel Sapitan and Arvin Agustin and interpreted by Walton Zerrudo.

The judges included Dingdong Avanzado, Jackie Lou Blanco and Jungee Marcelo who temporarily replaced resident judge Mon ‘Doktor Musiko’ del Rosario.

ASOP songwriting competition is aired every Sunday, at 7 p.m. on UNTV. — Adjes Carreon | UNTV News & Rescue