A young Cebuana singer and journalist is taking center stage in a research-backed push to bring Cebuano music closer to today’s youth.
This as Preciosa Bacalso fronts the launch of “Basin Pa Lang,” a new cultural initiative by BaiReels aimed at reviving local music patronage.
Bacalso, a Cebu-based vocalist with a background in musical theater and journalism, lends her voice to “Basin Pa Lang,” an original Cebuano song designed to resonate with students and young listeners navigating themes of hope, uncertainty, love, and self-discovery.
The song anchors BaiReels’ broader effort to reposition Cebuano music within modern youth culture through digital storytelling and campus engagement and is set to drop on February 25 across major streaming platforms.
The initiative was formally introduced during a press conference on January 28, at Dahon Cafe, presented by Lantao Entertainment Productions through its digital platform BaiReels.
Organizers said Bacalso represents a new generation of Cebuano artists—technically trained, emotionally grounded, and culturally rooted—whose work bridges creative expression and social awareness.
BaiReels’ campaign is grounded in a 2022 research study by John Cavin M. Sabonsolin of Biliran Province State University, which found that youth patronage of Cebuano music remains critically low due to limited exposure, weak trend presence, and inconsistent integration into contemporary pop culture.
The study identified quality, trend alignment, public promotion, and peer orientation as key factors in restoring interest among students aged 18 to 24.
Positioning itself as a digital-first platform for young audiences, BaiReels aims to translate these findings into action by making Cebuano music more visible and relatable through short-form video, youth-centered storytelling, and partnerships with schools, civic groups, and community organizations.
“Basin Pa Lang” is envisioned not only as a song release but as a cultural symbol meant to exist in playlists, campuses, and online spaces where young people already gather.
Bacalso’s transition from musical theater to original Cebuano recording mirrors the shift BaiReels hopes to encourage among listeners—from distance to discovery and renewed cultural connection.
Organizers underscored that sustaining Cebuano music requires collaboration beyond artists alone, calling on media institutions, educational institutions, civic and cultural groups, community partners, and sponsors to support campus engagements, digital campaigns, community showcases, and programs for emerging Cebuano artists.
Lantao Entertainment Productions is a Cebu-based digital platform focused on youth, culture, and Cebuano music, with a mission to revitalize the Cebuano language and creativity through modern media, youth storytelling, and community collaboration.
