TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan (PIA) -- The provincial government of Cagayan has opened recently a songwriting competition for all Cagayanos, which seeks to highlight the rich culture and heritage of the province.

Dubbed "Pagguruffunan Melodies: A Tune of Tales Competition,"  the contest is part of the celebration of the 441st Aggao nac Cagayan in June.

Pagguruffunan is an Ibanag word that means ‘helping one another’ in English.

“We’re looking for original songs that embody the vibrant spirit and cultural identity of Cagayan and must be upbeat, cheerful tunes that are catchy and easy to sing along to, appealing to all ages,” said the Cagayan Provincial Information Office (CPIO) in a Facebook post.

Participants must be residents of Cagayan.

Interested participants must submit an entry that is a maximum of six minutes, including the introduction and outro.

For the format and criteria, interested participants may refer to the CPIO Facebook page.

The top 3 winners will receive cash prizes: first place: P100,000; second place: P50,000; and third place: P20,000.

The deadline for submission of entries is May 24.

“Let's unite in music and pride for our beloved Cagayan. This is more than a competition; it’s a celebration of our collective identity and heritage,” the CPIO added. (MDCT/PIA Cagayan)