Fact: Filipinos love to sing.
We even invented karaoke machine.

Manny Pacquiao, a boxer who’s won seven championship titles and modern hero of the Philippines, loves to sing.

But why do Filipinos love to sing?

First of, it’s important to note the musical styles that are prominent in the Philippines and have shaped the Filipinos love affair with music and song.
The Kundiman is a lyrical song that gain popularity in the Philippines in the early 19th century, but has roots in pre-colonial styles. It’s Western comparison is that of the love ballad. The Kundiman was a way for Filipinos to express deep devotion, whether it was to one’s country or one’s beloved. The Kundiman is strongly influenced by the Spanish culture. They brought over guitars and Mediterranean melodies and soon enough guitar strings were being plucked in barrios everywhere.

From Wikipedia:

Scholars and historians believed that the Kundiman originated from Batangas. Dr. Francisco Santiago (1889-1947), the “Father of the Kundiman Art Song”, briefly explains in his scholarly work “The Development of Music in the Philippines” the reason why this Tagalog song is called Kundiman is because the first stanza of this song begun thus:

“Cundiman, cundiman

Cundiman si jele”

“Hele ng Cundiman

Hele ng Cundangan”

Eufronio Melo Alip “Tagalog literature; a historico-critical study” pg. 18

1896-1898 was a very tumultuous time in Philippine History and Filipinos channeled those sentiments into song. Jocelynang Baliwag, officially known as Musica del Legitimo Kundiman Procedente del Campo Insurecto (Music of the Legitimate Kundiman that Proceeds from the Insurgents), poetically expressed the nationalist sentiments of the Tagalog revolutionaries in the midst of Spanish colonial liberation. Disguised as a love and courtship song, it sings of a young and beautiful Filipina idolized in Baliuag, Bulacan named Josefa ‘Pepita’ Tiongson y Lara who symbolized the image of the Motherland. It lifted the rebels’ spirits during the Philippine Revolution, and later dubbed “Kundiman of the Revolution.

JOCELYNANG BALIWAG

P- Pinopoong sinta, niring calolowa

Nacacawangis mo’y mabangong sampaga

Dalisay sa linis, dakila sa ganda

Matimyas na bucal ng madlang ligaya.

E- Edeng maligayang kinaloclocan

Ng galak at tuwang catamis-tamisan

Hada cang maningning na ang matunghaya’y

Masamyong bulaclac agad sumisical.

P- Pinananaligan niring aking dibdib

Na sa paglalayag sa dagat ng sakit

‘Di mo babayaang malunod sa hapis

Sa pagcabagabag co’y icaw ang sasagip.

I- Icaw na nga ang lunas sa aking dalita

Tanging magliligtas sa niluha-luha

Bunying binibining sinucuang cusa

Niring catawohang nangayupapa.

T- Tanggapin ang aking wagas na pag-ibig

Marubdob na ningas na taglay sa dibdib

Sa buhay na ito’y walang nilalangit

Cung hindi ikaw lamang, ilaw niring isip.

A- At sa cawacasa’y ang kapamanhikan

Tumbasan mo yaring pagsintang dalisay

Alalahanin mong cung ‘di cahabagan

Iyong lalasunin ang aba cong buhay.

Ever wonder why your parents refer to dating as “courting-courting”? Sure, it’s because of old-fashioned values, but it could also be derived from an old tradition known as Harana.

Harana – which is the traditional setting for the Kundiman – is when a suitor serenades under the window of a loved one, singing about love and devotion, which conjures images of European chivalry and knights in shiny armor. The emotional connotations are very strong and this type of song can be seen as a symbol of being Filipino and a bond that unites Filipinos all over the globe. The music video above is by Parokya ni Edgar and is titled “Harana,” which is a modern day interpretation of the the tradition.

In the 1920’s, the Kundiman began to reach the mainstream and by the late 1930’s the song “Dahil Sa’Yo” became a Kundiman standard.

Ron Artest can’t deny channeling his inner Filipino on the Magic Mic. Ron-Ron met this Filipino family online and they invited him over for dinner. Any Filipino social event isn’t complete without a karaoke session.

Even today, achievements in the American music industry is a Filipino value that continues to be expressed where the Filipino sees his ethnic background as a positive factor in musical success, especially as performers of western music in Asia.

i am pasaway. i should be on my feet finishing my choreography for this sat’s open training. but i am here, vegetating again in front of my pc. well, this won’t take any longer. i just want to write first then i’ll turn this distraction off.

although tiresome, i am enjoying every minute of my busy schedule. i met a lot of people and got to work with other business centers’ personnel. it’s just funny that my sched has been so crazy the past weeks. most days, i am at ortigas practicing for something or attending seminars. like next week, i won’t be reporting at the office at all. ow-em-nyi.

also, i was pretty much exhausted at work today. fyi: i reported at our office. how’s that. stayed til 7pm but still wasn’t able to finish what i was supposed to finish. demmit! i won’t be at the office tomorrow. i’ll be back there on friday. funny thing, i’d like to think that i am missed. perhaps, they miss me. they’re just too shy to admit it. bwahaha! oh well, I MISS THEM TOO!

5 November  2009

As part of the Kundiman Reading Series, poet Lee Herrick is reading on Sunday in NYC.   Details:

Verlaine
110 Rivington St.
New York City
5:00 p.m. (Open Bar 4:00-5:00 p.m.)
212-614-2494
F train to Delancey or V train to 2nd Ave
with Sandy Tseng and Lee Ann Roripaugh

Come on out, I’ll be there.

Bakasyon ng taong 2008 nang makarinig ng bagong awitin ang mga tao. Isang masayang awitin at pagkarinig ng aking mga kaibigan ay tinanong nila kung “Hale ba talaga iyon?” at ang iba naman ay binigyan ng ibang titulo ang nasabing kanta; ang dapat na “Pitong Araw” ay tinawag nilang “Kahit Pa Part 2”. Ang “Leap of Faith” ang naging ikalawang single ng Hale; at huling music video kasama si Omnie. Kung inyong mapapansin sa dulong parte ng music video ay pinakitang umalis si Omnie. Nagdaan ang maraming buwan at hindi naglabas ng music video para sa “Over and Over (And Over Again)” na ikinalungkot ko dahil isa itong kantang alam kong kagigiliwan ng marami. Bumawi naman ang Hale sa ikatlo nilang music video para sa AOB, ang “Sandali Na Lang”. Sumikat ito hindi lamang sa dahilang ‘maganda ang kanta’ kundi dahil na rin sa napakaganda nitong music video. Nalungkot ako ng i-anunsyo ni Champ na ang Sandali Na Lang ang huling single nila para sa AOB.

Buwan ng Mayo ng malaman ng maraming mga Halers na “Bahay Kubo” ang pamagat ng unang single mula sa kanilang pinakahihintay na ika – apat na album (na noong petsang iyon ay wala pang pamagat). Maraming nagbukas ng kani – kanilang mga radyo noong Hulyo 13 (tama ba?) dahil maririnig sa lahat ng istasyon ng radyo ang buong bersyon ng Bahay Kubo. Maraming namangha at nasiyahan, at isa na ako doon. Namangha ako lalo na doon sa parte ng adlib.

Hulyo 27 at walang pasok, at nagkaroon ako ng pagkakataong pumunta sa mall at bumili sana ng Kundiman pero badtrip, sa tatlong sari – sari store na pinuntahan ko, lahat ay wala pang Kundiman. Agosto 1 ko na nabili ang Kundiman. Pagkauwi ng bahay ay pinatugtog ko agad ito.

Ibang iba ang plakang ito, parang pinagsamang Hale Self – Titled at Above, Over and Beyond tulad ng Magkaibang Mundo, na paboritong kanta, ay parang pinagsamang Sandali Na Lang at Kung Wala Ka.

Namangha ako sa Bahay Kubo, Kalesa, Aso’t Pusa at Magkaibang Mundo. Sa totoo lang, ang lahat ng mga awitin sa album nila ay maganda pero ang apat na kantang iyon. Para sa aking paghuhukom sa bawat awitin:

1. Bahay Kubo (5 / 5) Mas maganda sana kung nadagdagan ng lyrics pagkatapos ng adlib, tulad ng sa Kahit Pa (‘DI ko man hawak ang panahon…) pero maganda ang pagkakagawa ng kantang ito. Ang pinaka nagpaganda sa awitin ito ay ang drums at gitara. Maganda rin ito bilang unang single ng Kundiman ngunit pwede rin naman ang Kalesa. Hindi tulad ng Pitong Araw (na unang single sa AOB) ay wala itong katunog na ibang kanta ng Hale sa mga nauna nilang album. Tulad ng sinabi ko sa unang bahagi ng review na ito, tinawag ng ilan kong mga kaibigan ang Pitong Araw bilang Kahit Pa Part 2. Sa kabilang banda, ang Bahay Kubo ay walang kapareha o katunog na ibang kanta ng Hale. Sana ay maging matagumpay ang Bahay Kubo hindi lamang sa radyo, kundi pati na rin sa MYX at MTV.

Paboritong linya: “Hindi kita iiwan, yakapin mo ako…”

2. Kalesa (5 / 5) Isang masayang awitin na para sa akin ay tinalo pa ang Pitong Araw at Kahit Pa. Malamang – lamang ay kung tungkol sa pag – ibig ang lyrics nito ay tatawagin naman itong Kahit Pa Part 3. Maganda rin kung ito ang naging unang single, pero hindi ko naman sinasabi na mali ang pagpili sa Bahay Kubo. Ang tema ng Kalesa ay saktong sakto para sa Kundiman. Bagamat kulang sa lyrics, nabawi naman ito sa ganda ng boses dito ni Champ.

Paboritong linya: “Ihataw natin, hindi tayo hihinto. Lahat ay maligalig, hindi mapapagod…”

3. Aso’t Pusa (4.5 / 5) Nagulat ako sa lyrics ng kantang ito. Kung hindi Hale ang umawit ng kantang ito at sinabi sa aking si Champ LuiPio ng Hale ang nagsulat ng awiting ito,hindi ako maniniwala. Kasama niya kaya si Rico Blanco (na kasama nila sa Treehouse Productions) sa pagsulat ng kantang ito o na – impluwensyahan siya ni Rico Blanco? Ang ganda ng kantang ito at angkop maging single. Kung fan ka ng Rivermaya (tulad ko) o kaya ni Rico Blanco (tulad ko ulit!) ay maaalala mo ang awiting “Huwag Na Init Ulo Baby”.

Paboritong linya: “Pa – hug naman, pa – kiss naman diyan…”

4. Ulap (3.5 / 5) Tulad ng nasabi ko sa Bahay Kubo, wala ka rin akong naalalang mga naunang awitin ng Hale na katunog ng Ulap. Ang sarap pakinggang ng “Ooooh…” at ng “Sabay tayong lumipad…”.

Paboritong linya: “Sabay tayong lumipad…”

5. Magkaibang Mundo (5 / 5) Pagsamahin mo ang Sandali Na Lang at Kung Wala Ka at ito ang kalalabasan: “Magkaibang Mundo”. Ayos din ito bilang unang single ng Kundiman. Kung ang Kalesa ay angkop maging unang single dahil sa tema ng awiting ito at tema ng Kundiman, ang Magkaibang Mundo naman ay angkop naman maging unang single dahil isa itong literal na “Kundiman”. Napakaganda ng pagkakagawa ng awiting ito. At tinalo pa nito ang para sa aki’y pinakamagandang tagalog na awitin ng Hale, ang “Kung Wala Ka”. Para sa akin, isa ito sa pinakamagandang awitin sa Kundiman.

Paboritong linya: “Nasan ka man ngayon, sana’y mabuti ka. Magkaibang mundo, sana’y maisip mo rin ako.”

6. Bulalakaw (2.5 / 5) Tagalog ng shooting star. Masyadong naging malungkot ang kantang ito kung kayat hindi ko masyadong nagugustuhan. Siguro ang isa pang dahilan kung bakit hindi ko ito masyado magustuhan ay katabi nito ang Magkaibang Mundo. Sa katunayan, nakaka relate ako sa kantang ito. Pero wala akong balak ikwento ang buhay pag – ibig ko dito dahil isa itong review. =] Intindihin niyo ang kanta, at baka makarelate din kayo.

Paboritong linya: “Sa muli nating pagkikita, ako ay matiyagang maghihintay sa iyo…”

7. Yakap (3 / 5) Naalala ko ang “Dahil Sa’Yo Sa Himig ng Aking Gitara” dahil sa linyang ito: “Ngunit nawaglit sa aking isip, ang layo mo pala sa akin”. Nakapagpawala ng stress ang kantang ito dahil masarap itong pakinggan; pero para sa akin ay mas masarap pakinggan ang susunod na awitin.

Paboritong linya: “Ngunit nawaglit sa aking isip, ang layo mo pala sa akin”

8. Harinawa (4 / 5) Gustong – gusto ko ang pagkakagawa nila sa kantang ito. Mabagal at tahimik sa unang bahagi ngunit pagkatapos ng adlib ay biglang liligaya ang awitin at pinaganda pa ng mga huling linya. Perpekto itong kantang ito para sa mga nawawalan ng pag – asa o sa mga naghahanap ng inspirasyon.

Paboritong linya: “Darating, darating ang bukas…”

Panlahatang grado: (4 / 5)

Karamihan sa mga kanta sa plakang ito ay bagay na bagay bilang maging theme songs sa iba’t ibang palabas pati na rin sa mga pelikula. Kung mahigit sa walo lamang sana ang bilang ng mga awitin dito ay kaya nitong tapatan ang Hale Self – Titled. Panalo naman ang Kundiman laban sa Twilight at sa Above, Over and Beyond. Inaasahan kong may mababasa akong ‘Omnie Saroca’ sa mga pasasalamatan ng bawat miyembro pero nadismaya ako ng wala akong nakita kahit ‘Saroca’ man lang.

Nabasa ko dito na maglalabas sila ng kanilang ikalimang album sa susunod ng taon. Sana ay maka – apat o makalima silang singles para sa Kundiman. Nadismaya kasi ako ng tatlo lang ang inilabas na singles sa AOB.

Kung ang kaibigan mo ay hindi Haler, payuhan mo siyang making naman ng OPM at pakinggan ang Kundiman at sabihin mo sa kanyang siguradong hindi siya madidismaya sa plakang ito.

Huling Tanong: Kung apat ang napagdesisyunan nilang bilang ng magiging singles, at ikaw ang napiling pumili ng apat na kantang gagawin nilang singles, ano ang apat na awiting iyon?

*Ikaw na rin ang pumili sa unang single at tandaan na ang ikatlong single ang pinaka importante (ayon sa pamahiin ng matatanda).

Para sa akin, ito ang pipiliin ko:

• Kalesa

• Aso’t Pusa

• Magkaibang Mundo

• Bahay Kubo

Alin ang sa iyo?

From Sarah Gambito of Kundiman:

As you (may) know, Kundiman is playing an important role in the literary world of the U.S. By initiating a summer retreat for Asian American poets five years ago, it has opened doors of opportunity that were previously closed to young poets of the Asian diaspora. Through intensive workshops with renowned poets and the enthusiastic support from staff and peers, the amount and excellence of their output is phenomenal.

Kundiman Fellows have published poems in The Virginia Quarterly Review, The Colorado Review, Pleiades, Black Warrior Review and Crab Orchard Review. They are attending MFA and doctoral programs at The Iowa Writers’ Workshop, New York University, Stanford University, The University of Houston, and The University of California, Berkeley. Three Kundiman fellows have gone on to publish full-length collections of poetry.

What you may not know is how important this program has been in the development of lives of the poets themselves. I’d like to share quotes from just two of the Fellows and I invite you to read the testimonies of others on our website www.kundiman.org. Also, please see Janine Oshiro’s essay on her experience at the Kundiman retreat here: http://www.oregonhum.org/i-spy.php

Months after this year’s Kundiman retreat, I am still left wondering whether the most intensely beautiful experience, short of falling in love, was an accidental happenstance of a meeting of more than 20 poet-minds at various stages of our writing development; or the intricate design of the driven and artful, purposeful and generous, tactical and loving staff, guest faculty and board of Kundiman. The camaraderie, peer review, professional insight and instruction, mutual support, lack of sleep and utter kindness and friendship fired up the most remote synapses of my brain and my deepest heartstrings. But why qualify the impact of Kundiman? I did fall in love—with my fellow poets, their exquisite analyses of my work and each of their unique poetic voices. I’m both humbled and proud to be a small part of this growing family of writers who even today, are shaping the poetry of tomorrow.

–Debbie Yee

As soon as I arrived, I was greeted so warmly as if I was among old friends! I felt at home among complete strangers. Here was a group of dynamic people who shared both my struggles—being a writer of color in America—and my passions: a deep devotion to the art of poetry. I’ve always heard, read, and spoken about the importance of community in any artistic endeavor. The poet’s road can be a lonely one; the drifting heart needs its anchors. But I never realized how empowering a community of artists could be until I spent four days at UVA with the Kundiman staff, teachers, and fellows. I found there what I failed to in any other poetry workshop I’ve taken: a deep respect and honor among poets; a desire to talk about race, identity, and history, in conjunction with one’s composition process; and a willingness to be brave.

–Brynn Saito

We are turning to you to ask for your help in insuring that the 6th Kundiman Summer Retreat can take place, to replace funds that we received in the past but that are not available this year because of budget cuts. The $4,000 we need will go toward direct costs of the retreat—faculty and staff travel and faculty honoraria. Again this year, Kundiman staff members will donate their time to coordinate and administer all the stages required to carry out the five day session. What we ask, we ask for the program itself and for the brave and gifted poets it serves.

Poet by poet, Kundiman is helping to change the face of American literature and what it means to document an important part of the American story. We need the certain light of poetry all the more in these uncertain times. With your help, we will continue to light the way for the next generation of Asian American writers.

Please click here to donate:
http://www.kundiman.org/%5BCLB%5D_Brightside/1.Source/donate.html

Please, also, do forward this widely.

For the past years that we’ve been performing for weddings, at last a request came for us to perform an old piece, “saan ka man naroroon.” Before this song was a great hit and considered to be an immortal piece but now it is sang for funerals. Maybe, because of the melody. But the lyrics don’t imply death. Maybe, because of the title when translated is wherever you are.

I was hesitant to sing the piece at first because the guests might think otherwise but the couple requested it and if I am right it’s their favorite song.

I sang the song during the pictorial in the church and I sensed that the couple and the guests enjoyed our performance.

Come & say hi if you’re going to AWP!

Ching-In

Thursday, February 11, 2009.  7-9:30pm

Lambda Literary Foundation Emerging Writers Reading & Reception

Gerber-Hart Library and Archives, 1127 W. Granville, Chicago IL

(adjacent to the red Line “Granville” stop).
Free, including drinks and hors d’oeuvres

Info: http://www.gerberhart.org

Reception and readings by Lambda Emerging Writers Retreat Fellows Kathie Bergquist, Ching-In Chen, Charles Rice-Gonzales, RJ Gibson, Ely Shipley, Griselda Suarez, Ahimsa Timoteo Bodhran, Cole Krawitz, Anne Laughlin and Ruben Quesada. There will be a free copy of the book, A Field Guide to Gay and Lesbian Chicago, given to the first 100 guests.

Friday, February 13, 2009. 12-1:15pm
Panel, “Kundiman Kindles the Flame: New Asian American Poetry”

(Oliver de la Paz, Aimee Nezhukmatathil, Jennifer Chang, Timothy Yu, Neil Aitken, Ching-In Chen) Kundiman, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the creation, cultivation, and promotion of Asian-American poetry celebrates the achievements of its fellows, faculty, and its founders. During this panel, Kundiman fellows Ching-In Chen (The Heart’s Traffic). Neil Aitken (The Lone Country of Sight) and Timothy Yu (Race and the Avant-Garde: Experimental and Asian American Poetry Since 1965) will read a selection of poems. They will also share the stage with their Kundiman faculty and staff members who are also celebrating the arrival of new poetry book collections. Additionally, members of the panel will briefly discuss the mission of Kundiman as an organization and share some information about the summer retreat.
Association of Writers & Writing Programs Conference

Lake Ontario, 8th Floor, Hilton Chicago, 720 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago IL
Info: Joseph O Legaspi with Kundiman, josephl@kundiman.org

Friday, February 13, 2009, 3-4pm

The Heart’s Traffic Booksigning at Red Hen Press Table (522)

Association of Writers & Writing Programs Conference

Hilton Chicago, 720 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago IL

Saturday, February 14, 10:30-11:30am

The Heart’s Traffic Booksigning at Red Hen Press Table (522)

Association of Writers & Writing Programs Conference

Hilton Chicago, 720 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago IL
(Note: Members of the public can attend the bookfair free on Saturday!)

Sunday, February 15, 4:30pm

Women & Children First Presents Lesbian Poets!

Readings and reception with emerging and established lesbian poets including Achy Obejas, Ching-In Chen, Nickole Brown and Tamiko Beyer.

Women & Children First Bookstore, 5233 N. Clark, Chicago IL

Free, includes refreshments
Info: www.womenandchildrenfirst.com

Hope you like the music. Have a great day ahead.

Check out the shoutcast station.

Mga mahilig diyan sa mga Kundiman or just Classical Pinoy Music eto magandang Internet Radio… Ngayon ko lang actually nalaman meron pala nito… haha.

Click here to listen thru Winamp >>>This is a Winamp playlist file so when you click it a pop up window will appear prompting you to open it with Winamp or save the file in your PC.

Actually not all songs are Kundiman music, there’s also Classical Guitar and Piano and some Traditional Pinoy Dance music (like Tinikling etc.) so at least you won’t be that bored with Kundiman’s. hehe.

I actually like Kundiman songs you know. Maganda naman kase eh. Haha. I want to buy one of those TV version songs… Nakalimutan ko na yung TV Program na puro Kundiman classics yata yung kinakanta ng mga artista… Basta yun… haha…. di bale mkakabili rin ako nun.

Update April 22, 2009: I think the show is called Aawitan Kita. I wonder where i can buy one of those celebrity Kundiman songs from Aawitan Kita? Argh. >_<” Somebody tell me where. XD I don’t want the ones by Armida. I want the ones by other singers… Hehe

Update Aug 17, 2009: Well it seems the link keeps changing everytime… anyway just type “Kundiman” when searching in SHOUTcast Radio, then click on Classical Philippines Radio.

(As the title suggests, this is just a disparate collection of thoughts)

I have a new crush.

ACPAC

If there’s anything to be somewhat hopeful in film, these folks have it in their possession.

They leave me inspired.

**

Old School, Click here to read an article regarding music and his writing.

I just finished up Murakami’s collection of shorts Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman.  I need to rush through Kafka on the Shore, and if I have more time (which most of us never have) plow through South of the Border, West of the Sun.  I have to finish, consider I’m seeing him speak at Berkeley.

After going through this collection, I recalled how I had a short film that dealt with loss, and used a talking goldfish, a metaphysical garbage can, and projections of other “animals” which were manifestations of urban structures and freeway webs….

I also recalled another short film that dealt with a grandfather who had lost his fighting cock and wound up in the basement, and dregs of a large public library.  Pursued by a hapless grandson, the fighting cock inevitably gets away, and the grandfather inevitably forgives the grandson his ineptitude….

I wonder why I ever departed that wavelength.  It’s time I go back forward.

**

I don’t know why, but I like poppyseed bagels.

**

[Updated: 12:15 PM]

I’m bumping music at my work… and it’s pretty audible.

I’ve been using iMeem.  Been listening to Bambu for the last hour… I peeped his blog, and ran into this gift…

http://www.myspace.com/esperanzaspalding

She’s coming to town October 14 and 15 at Yoshi’s.  I don’t know bout y’all, but I’m going both days.

Yesterday, I also peeped a trailer of this film:

Where's your case?

From myparol.com:

Harana and Kundiman

Men in the Spanish period courted their women by singing underneath her window at night. This tradition is called the harana and still practiced in many parts of the country. The guitar or the ukulele are the most common instrument, and the specific type of music is called the kundiman, which usually begins with a minor key and then shifts to a major key in the second half; its lyrics are characterized by heavy poetic emotion that depicts the singer’s pleadings and offer to sacrifice everything on behalf of his beloved. Kundiman are lovesongs that define the Filipino gentleman’s romantic character.

This film is brought to you by the same folks who brought you The Gift of Barong.  I’m pretty jazzed about the docu.

**

I feel like eating a pork bun…

Nicanor Abelardo Grand Piano Project
20 June 2008, 6 : 00 PM
The Lobby, G/F
UP Vargas Museum

To celebrate the centenary of the University of the Philippines, the UP Jorge B. Vargas Museum presents the soft launch of the Nicanor Abelardo Grand Piano Project on 20 June 2008, 6:00 PM at the Lobby of the UP Vargas Museum.

The Nicanor Abelardo Grand Piano Project is an ongoing residency project of Australia-based artist Alwin Reamillo at the UP Vargas Museum. This developmental restoration project involves the artist’s sourcing of old upright and grand pianos and its transformation as art case instruments. These art case pianos also function as conceptual portraits to pay tribute to the memory of Nicanor Abelardo. Considered as the first modernist composer in the country and the composer of the university hymn, UP Our Beloved / UP Naming Mahal, Abelardo also wrote the first piano concerto in the country and pioneered the research of traditional musical forms that led to the development of the Kundiman to art music status.

The artist’s installation will feature two art case instruments, built from found Wittemberg upright pianos (1990) as prelude to the development of the grand piano. The installation will thematically focus on Abelardo’s classical work Mutya ng Pasig, which will be animated through text, objects, found piano parts and imagery drawn from extant photographs and popular culture to mark the artist’s musical journey as a composer. To signify work in progress, the artist will also feature a found grand piano, which will be developed in the months to come. A series of small-scale, wing-shaped piano lids and its mirror construction will also be developed to depict the artist’s journey as a government scholar to the United States. These ‘wing works’ thematically reference other classic Kundiman compositions such as Nasaan Ka Irog and Bituing Marikit. The final launch of the Nicanor Abelardo Grand Piano Project is set in December 2008.

For the opening of the installation exhibit, students from the UP College of Music will play selected pieces to highlight the musical legacy of Abelardo.

For details on the Nicanor Abelardo Grand Piano Project, please contact the UP Vargas Museum at numbers 928-1927 (direct line), 928-1925 (telefax), 981-8500 locals 4024 / 23, or email us at vargasmuseum@gmail.com.