Calling all music composers. The University of the Philippines Alumni Association (UPAA) has launched a nationwide contest for its new anthem. Interested participants must capture “the love for Alma Mater,” which best translates into music the existing lyrics penned by multi-awarded poet and UP professor Gemnio “Jimmy” Abad. (The 2nd edition of the UP Adidas jackets is now on sale in selected Adidas stores).

The contest is open to amateur and professional music composers of Filipino descent, including those living abroad. Entries should be original and unpublished which can be sung a capella or with musical accompaniment. The contest piece must be stamped with a Philippines address with the contestant’s complete contact information and accompanied by music or lyrics sheet and piano or guitar chords. Deadline for submission of entries is until November 30.

The winner will be announced on December 10, and will receive P30,000 in cash from UPAA and two roundtrip tickets to Boracay courtesy of SEAIR. Also set on the same day is the gala performance of the new anthem, which will be rendered by no less than the internationally acclaimed UP Singing Ambassadors at the Carillon Concert. The second performance will be at the UP Diliman Lantern Parade.

The competition is headed by Behn Cervantes, committee chairman and vice president of UPAA; Nini Jorge, former treasurer of UPAA; Ed Manguiat, founder and conductor of the UP Singing Ambassadors; Arwin Tan, professor at the UP Conservatory of Music; and Dakila Villan, former officio member of the UPAA Board.

Entries can be delivered or mailed to the UP Bahay ng Alumni, Room 211, Magsaysay Avenue, UP Diliman, Quezon City, 1101.

For inquiries, call the UPAA Secretariat at 920-6868 and 71 or 0917-8372098 and look for Dheng, Jenny or Shirley; or e-mail upalum@yahoo.com.ph .