Composer reveals “Make a Stand” story

MANILA, Nov. 21, 2011 – The celebration of the National Youth Day as one of the highlights for the celebration of the CBCP Year of Youth ended last Friday with the Grand Festival Night, “Make a Stand” composer Jude Gitamondoc reveals the story of the NYD theme song.

Prior to the CBCP-Year of the Youth, Gitamondoc revealed that the song was composed years for a play titled “Zephyrin: The Musicale,” which features the life of one of the young Salesian, Blessed Ceferino Namuncura.

Jude Gitamondoc, the composer, admitted that the song “Make a Stand” fits the theme the CBCP-Year of the Youth.

“When I was ask for songs I gave some of the songs, like five to six songs and they chose ‘Make a Stand’ because it perfectly fit the theme, ‘Stand firm in the faith,’” added Gitamondoc

“It is just so happened that the values that are in the song, in the musical was also the intent that the National Youth Day [CBCP-Year of the Youth] intend to achieve,” Gitamondoc admits that it is not really intended for the CBCP-YOTY.

Gitamondoc also disclose that Daryl Leong, the one who sung the theme, was not part of the cast of the Zephyrin musicale but he admits that Leong’s voice is perfectly suited for the new recording of the song for the CBCP-Year of the Youth.

Courtesy of Jude Gitamondoc facebook account

“We also recorded a new version for the CBCP album. In the new updated Make a Stand, it has a duet and rap part already. So you better watch out for it,” surprisingly uncovered by Gitamondoc.

Gitamondoc shared that he has a Salesian background and because of it, young people are close to his heart.

“I believe that the youth of one’s person is the best time for one to hone his skills and to become a better person. It is an age of possibilities and so a lot can happen. It is either you choose good or bad and that can drastically change your life,” stressed by Gitamondoc.

Gitamondoc challenges the young, “You make a stand. You stand firm for what you believe in, in spite of all the odds and what your peers are saying. And that is a way for you achieve your goals. Choose right from the start.”

Born in Mangagoy Bislig, Surigao del Sur, Jude Thaddeus Gitamondoc started his love for music at the age of six. Graduating in Don Bosco Mission Seminary in Lawaan, Cebu, he once dreamed to become a priest. He had spent a year in UP Diliman’s Conservatory of Music telling that his music which is pop did not suit that of the conservatory.

Aside from his songs being performed by Mr. Pure Energy, Gary Valenciano, he has also written songs for other renowned Filipino artists like Toni Gonzaga, Piolo Pascual, Chad Peralta, Raki Vega, KC Concepcion and recently, Ariel Rivera. He has also written some musicales and won a few songwriting and jingle-writing contests. One of these is Pinoy Dream Academy's songwriting contest which he won for his song Not Today. (Mark Vertido/Jandel Posion)