Life’s like music

CEBU, Philippines -  In the last few decades, however, the Cebuanos’ regard for their own music seems to have given way to foreign tunes. The likes of “Matud Nila,” “Usahay,” “Lagkaw,” “Ikaduhang Bathala,” “Gugma,” and other local classics are now relegated to the sides. Many Cebuanos are saddened, but only very few attempt to take concrete steps about it.

Just recently, Dr. Jose R. Gullas launched the V.I.P. Gullas College of Music at the Banilad campus of the University of the Visayas. This was a dream-come-true for him, Dr. Gullas said in a short speech during the opening. The story began a long time back.

He grew up surrounded by music. His mother, Doña Josefina Gullas, played the piano very well, and so did an aunt. His grandmother, Doña Andrea Rivera, would have her workers gather together at the end of the week and play music while waiting for their pay. The young Dodong always sat around, mesmerized by the beautiful sound.

Such musical experiences have seeped deep into his soul. The music continues to play in his mind, in his heart, in his life. Now at a prime age, Dodong wants to bring the music back. And he wants the endeavor to eventually take on a life of its own, independent of his own personal capacity to sustain it.        

The establishment of the V.I.P. Gullas College of Music is a big step in that direction. Dodong brings together the most qualified people around for the school’s faculty and puts up top-rate facilities to match. The music school is the only in Cebu to offer a Bachelor of Music degree.

It would seem that only the rich could afford to go to a school like this. But the truth is, the V.I.P. Gullas College of Music is Dodong’s way of bringing the music to the grassroots of Cebu society. He is putting in place a scholarship program for promising students from the towns of the province. When these scholars graduate, they will bring with them the musical knowledge back to their hometowns.

Dodong Gullas’ love for music has since grown added roots. He has come to view his own life as if it were a musical piece. “Come to think of it,” he says, “my life is like music. There have been high notes and low notes in my life experience.” He means moments of both exaltation and dejection. 

At his age now, Dodong is at a good vantage point to look over at his life. All of his 80 years have brought him far enough to grasp the drift of his life story. And he is gathering speed in the direction that he thinks is his calling. 

What may be Dodong’s biggest undertaking yet is putting up a philharmonic orchestra. It is a daunting project to take on, even by big institutions. That it is to be his personal endeavor sure takes a lot of nerve indeed.

But Dodong is determined. He has tapped the right people on this plan. And he has sought heaven’s blessing on his intention, as he always does in all his endeavors.

The V.I.P. Gullas College of Music is a son’s tribute to his parents – Don Vicente, his father, and Inday Pining, his mother. And this, together with the JRG Halad Museum and the planned philharmonic orchestra, is his contribution to the Cebuano musical heritage. With all this, the music of Dodong Gullas’ life may yet be coming to its best part – the grand chorus.