36th Int'l-Bamboo Organ Festival set for Feb. 17-23

MANILA, Philippines - The International Bamboo Organ Festival of Las Piñas on Feb. 17 to 23 is no ordinary music festival. It may well be the only festival that has for its centerpiece a unique music instrument that has been officially named a national treasure.

Crafted by Spanish priest Diego Cera, the Bamboo Organ of Las Piñas had religious beginnings. At first, it was used exclusively for liturgical purposes until the residents were inspired to make it the focus of a full-fledged festival of sacred music. Now on its 36th season, the Bamboo Organ Festival has earned a reputation both nationally and internationally and is the source of pride among Filipinos everywhere.

The bamboo organ is a serious instrument in the classic Spanish style and some the world’s best-known organists have enjoyed its charm and color. Fr. Diego Cera de la Virgen del Carmen was responsible for the organ and the church that houses it. An Augustinian Recollect, he was parish priest of Las Piñas and the son of a family of organ builders in his native Spain. He was a gifted natural scientist, chemist, architect, community leader and organist.

The festival brought Philippine music, culture and tradition to the international stage. It has opened avenues for international artists to showcase their talents.

The bamboo organ brought together parishioners, townsfolk and artists in a celebration of life. National Artist Alejandro Roces, after an extensive study on different fiestas of the Philippines, included the Bamboo Organ Festival in his upcoming book about Philippine fiestas — a testimony of the festival’s value in Philippine history and culture.

The annual International Bamboo Organ Festival recently unveiled its plans for its 36th edition.

Excerpts from some of Johann Sebastian Bach’s more celebrated cantatas will be featured in the opening concert titled Back to BACH. It makes use of a recently-acquired collection of scores from Bach’s more than 250 cantatas. In the lineup are well-known choruses, sinfonias and organ concertos which show why Bach is the most beloved composer of the Baroque period.

Future concerts will have several choirs as performers: The Las Piñas Boys Choir, champion of the 2008 World Choir Games in Graz, Austria; Hail Mary the Queen Children’s Choir, University of the East Chorale and Imusicapella Chamber Choir. Noted Filipino conductors Joel Navarro and EudenicePalarauan will also take center stage with visiting artists Luc Ponet (Belgium), organ; Guido Segers (Belgium), trumpet and Raphael Leone (Austria), flute. Filipino soloists are Armando Salarza, organ; Gina Medina, violin; Rey Casey Concepcion, viola and Renato Lucas, cello.

An innovation in the programming is the chamber music concert that will end the festival and feature rarely-played baroque compositions. Upon the invitation of Hail Mary the Queen Children’s Choir, other children’s choirs will be invited starting this year.

Commissioned choral work Jubilate! composed by Alejandro Consolacion II, who also arranged a cycle of popular Philippine folk songs, will premiere this year.

The festival is presented by Bamboo Organ Foundation, Inc. in cooperation with National Commission for Culture and the Arts, Department of Tourism, PAGCOR, Embassy of Austria, Sen. Manuel Villar Jr., Rep. Mark Villar, Mayor Vergel Aguilar and the City Government of Las Piñas, Bishop Jesse Mercado, DD and the Diocese of Parañaque, St. Joseph’s Academy and The Parish of St. Joseph with major sponsors Diego Cera Organbuilders, Inc., Via Mare, Novellino, Bote Central — Serenity Coffee, San Miguel Brewery Inc., Meralco, A.O. Infinite Trading, Lamoiyan Corp., OOCL, Marilag Corp., BDO, Menzi Trust Fund, Inc. Astro Import and Export Corp., Riguera Realty and Development Corp., Casimiro Development Corp., Cablelink, BPI Foundation, Pamatec, Royal Air Charter Services, Inc., Innovative Educational Materials, Inc., St. Bernadette Publication, Inc., Col. Pedro Rolan, Dr. Sonny Zulueta, Garampil Garden, Paraiso Digital Photography and Video, FGOgraphics, media friends and partners and members of the foundation.

For details, call 820-0795, 825-7190, 0999- 5087838 or e-mail [email protected].