The regional contest “A song for Central America and the Dominican Republic” ended on June 29, where 24 finalists were recognized, including the Salvadoran group Friguey and the soloist Olga Solórzano, ended with a vote through the social networks of the General Secretariat of SICA.
Among the jury for the contest was Margareth Juan, who is coordinator of the Gender and Institutional Strengthening Unit of the General Secretariat of SICA, Jorge Garcia, Olinda Salguero, Alberto Menghini, Felipe Armijo, among which are people with immense knowledge about music.
First place went to Rosa Linda Matos Matos, born in Barahona, Dominican Republic in 1994, her stage name is Linda Rose, she is a singer-songwriter, arranger, music teacher and student, her song called “Del mismo cielo” where she expresses with pride and nobility to her country led her to achieve this achievement.
In second place, Manu Martinez from the country of Honduras, born in Lima Cortes, his song “Central America” reiterates once again the commitment he has with himself to promote and vindicate folk music and the culture of his native country. Being a musician and producer, he seeks that his productions are accompanied by the customs and roots of Honduras.
The third place winner is Mario Sacasa, originally from the United States and brought to Nicaragua since he was six months old, his song “Heart of the Americas” was able to add another triumph to his artistic career.
Each one of the winners already have an artistic background because they have been dedicated to music for a long time.
The award ceremony was exposed through Facebook Live through the main account of the General Secretariat of SICA where through a virtual meeting the winners were awarded.
The first place winner won $6,000, the second place winner $5,000 and the third place winner $4,000 in addition to a surprise during the ceremony for all finalists which consisted of 2 airline tickets to the United States for each song.
The contest was developed with the purpose of promoting citizen and artistic union in the Central American region through art and culture, and consisted of composing a song for the region within the framework of the Bicentennial of the Independence of Central America, the 35th anniversary of the Esquipulas Peace Accords and the 30th Anniversary of the Central American Integration System (SICA).
