Romantic music journey / Gary V. as ‘Mr. Energy’

On June 6, distinguished concert pianists Ingrid Santamaria and Reynaldo Reyes will start their seventh musical journey – playing the romantic concertos of Brahms, Beethoven, Chopin, Grieg, Liszt, Rachmaninoff, and pieces by Abelardo, Buencamino and Santiago – in several Metro Manila institutions.

In chronological order, these are Letran, Philippine H.S. for the Arts, PWU, Lyceum, Museo Pambata ,VMV Hypoallergenics, U. of Asia and the Pacific, De La Salle U., AIM, St. Stephen’s H.S., San Carlos Seminary, IRRI, St. Paul’s College and the Sisters of Mary.

Before embarking on the extended tours with Revyin 2001, Ingrid spent ten years organizing and establishing the Cebu Youth Orchestra (now known as the Peace Philharmonic Philippines) which was designated as the national orchestra of Southern Philippines in 2001.

In that same year, Rey conceptualized the "Romantic Piano Concerto Journey" which has brought world and Filipino masterpieces, rendered on two pianos by Ingrid and Rey, to people throughout the country, primarily for the enjoyment and learning experience of students, teachers, and future cultural leaders. To date, the unique journey has brought pleasure and enlightenment to millions, including listeners over television through some one hundred concerts in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

The forthcoming tour is expected to reach 22,000 people. Previous tours to remote, outlying regions were under the most trying circumstances. A virtual caravan including two piano tuners often travelled over bumpy roads; not infrequently, lodgings lacked modern conveniences.

The provincial tours have been interspersed with concerts abroad – Bangkok, Royal Palm Beach, Florida; Baltimore, Maryland. In June 2004, the duo is scheduled to perform in Japan, Korea and Hong Kong on the first part of an Asian tour; and Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand on the second.

The seventh tour, which ends Jan. 21, is being presented by Petron, and the Victorino/Pilar Cusi Awards, Inc. in cooperation with DZFE. Imelda O. Cojuangco is honorary chairman of the tour which is being endorsed by various government agencies.

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Gary Valenciano isn’t a concert pianist but in his own special way – both fascinating and riveting – he captivated the audience who "swooned" over him at the recent Christmas party of STAR.

Singing and dancing simultaneously, the nimble, fleet-footed Gary was here, there, everywhere, hurdling the stage or jumping off it with ease while demonstrating why he is called "Mr. Energy". The screaming and cheering of his fans would not stop, and he electrified them even more by showing his terrific talent on the drums. Gary then cajoled his listeners to dance with him, and as they did, filling the stage, he disappeared as swiftly as he had come – like a tornado. Or a cyclone.

Our thanks to entertainment editor Ricky Lo for having presented Gary whose song-and-dance routines are comparable with anyone else’s in the world.