Halad Museum now open to the public with more musical pieces on exhibit

CEBU, Philippines - The public can now fully appreciate the newly-expanded Jose "Dodong" R. Gullas Halad Museum with more valuable musical memorabilia on display. The JRG Halad Museum is the first and only musically-themed museum in the region preserving Cebuanos' musical heritage.

Mr. Jose Gullas said, "The museum is dedicated to my parents, Don Vicente 'Papa Inting' Gullas and Lady Josefina 'Mama Pining' Rivera Gullas."

To celebrate the expansion, a holy mass and blessing will be held at JRG Halad Museum today. Archbishop of Cebu, His Excellency Most Reverend Jose S. Palma and His Eminence Ricardo J. Cardinal Vidal will grace the blessing of the museum.

The program will be followed by a harana of Cebuano songs popularized by Minggoy Lopez, Maning Velez, Ben Zubiri and more to be performed by the multi-awarded UV Chorale, the Mutya Orchestra, and Asia's Queen of Songs, Pilita Corrales.

Highlight of the musical performances will be the unveiling of the winning composition of Maestro Emilio "Mil" Villareal for the Halad Theme Song Contest, besting other entries from Cebu and abroad, entitled "Awit ni Dodong" with lyrics by Leo Lastimosa.

The lyrics, which take inspiration from the memoir of Jose R. Gullas entitled "To Never Forget," tell of a man’s serenade to a beloved; singing his fears of losing her as well as vows to take care of her.

The romantic lyrics are also very much reflective of the purpose of the Halad museum, which stands to represent the founder’s intention to preserve and honor Cebuano musical heritage. The museum aims to be a repository of Cebuano and Visayan musical treasures, including composers, artists and other memorabilia as well as a destination for an experience of Cebuano music and performing arts, cultural heritage and exhibitions.

Screening and judging of the 13 submitted entries, done last April 30, was a closed-door affair. The committee carefully studied and observed the songs' rhythm, especially the melody. Museum Director Audrey Dawn Tomada said, "The melody should complement the lyrics, and more importantly, should reflect the sentiments and feelings of the founder, The Freeman chairman Jose 'Dodong' R. Gullas."

For his part, Mr. Gullas said, "I would like to thank each composer for taking part in the competition and for producing a range of songs which deserve a wider audience. Likewise, I would like to encourage these composers to contribute more to the musical heritage of Cebu and to remember the songs of yesterday on themes of love, poverty and pain."

The event will be broadcasted on Monday, 8:00-10:00pm at DYAB. Attendance at this event is by invitation only.

The JRG Halad Museum is open on weekdays from Mondays to Fridays, 9:00am-5:00pm, and open on weekends by appointment. Entry for Senior citizens is free. For more information, please call telephone no. (032) 268-2579.