Angelo Ortiz plays for his furry friends

Manila, Philippines -  Music hath charms to soothe a savage breast, to soften rocks, or bend a knotted oak,” says William Congreve, English playwright and poet. However, it seems that pianist Angelo Ortiz’s much loved pets have also been able to develop such a refined sense of culture that they now have specific musical preferences.

“They absolutely love Mozart sonatas,” shares Angelo. “When I start playing these, my five cats and Yorkshire terrier would always gather around. A couple of my Persians would perch themselves on top of the piano and sleep or rest there. Certain cats stay under my piano chair, and others would sit on the Lazyboy chair nearby. My Yorkshire terrier, too, joins the cats and he quietly sits and listens while I play.”

For Angelo, the time set for piano practice also serves as a time for bonding with his coterie of furry friends. “It is amazing because I don’t need to call them. Without fail, they show up when I start playing.” He is convinced that his pet audience keenly listens to the music, attentive that each sonata is played at the proper tempo. Like the most exacting conductors, they wield their tails like batons. “I notice that even when their eyes are closed, their tails would move to the music.” But what if he plays music other than that the Mozart pieces? “I know that they don’t mind. But I can tell that they like the happy and light expression of the Mozart sonatas best.”

Angelo is currently in his 4th year of study for a Bachelor’s degree in piano at the UP Diliman but he already has won prestigious piano competitions, won grants, and has four albums released internationally. He classifies his music as “classical pop” and his energetic style of playing has earned him the moniker “the Wladziu Valentino Liberace of the new generation.” “I was a 3rd year IT student at the University of Asia and the Pacific, when I took a break from school, signed up with Galaxy Records and focused on my music,” he says. “But then I realized I needed to finish school. So now I am in UP and will be graduating soon.” On the side, he teaches piano in his home studio at home on weekends.

Angelo believes that Isha the Persian cat took on the pain meant for him

Angelo has always loved animals and his two Siberian huskies who are too big and frisky to stay indoors have laid claim to the garage, driving away the stray cats who owned that domain. “I adopt kittens that I see on the road and take care of them,” he explains. “I was once bitten by a stray kitten that I saved from the highway. Then, the kitten died and I then found out had rabies. I had to get my anti rabies shots.” Nevertheless, that incident hasn’t stopped him from bringing home stray animals. I always think: If I won’t help them, then who would? I am an animal lover. My pets are part of my family and I always find happiness with them. They are the perfect meaning of unconditional love.”

That is one reason why Angelo is convinced that one of his cats took on the pain meant for him and gave up her life. “One night when I was utterly miserable from a very high fever, my favourite cat Isha was so insistent to sleep on my bed. But I was afraid that she was going to catch whatever I had, so I asked the help to bring her to another bedroom. When I woke up at around midnight, I was surprised to feel so normal — as if I never had that fever earlier. And then, I found Isha inexplicably lifeless when she showed no symptoms of any illness earlier. “

We who love animals are convinced that they are able to reciprocate the affection and make sacrifices for our benefit. Still, we agree and commiserate with Angelo when he says, “Losing a pet is like losing a part of me.”