A music gala for Vicky/ F. Arcellana scholarship

The program at the Philamlife Theater was titled “A Music Gala celebrating art, friendship and a birthday milestone” – the latter referring to the 60th birthday of Vicky J. Cuisia, wife of Philamlife big boss Joey Cuisia who gave the welcome remarks.

The event, he said, was a celebration of FIAT (Friends in Art) to benefit Gawad Kalinga headed by the admirable Tony Meloto, and the Laura Vicuna Foundation which helps street children. Also held were Impy Pilapil’s sculptural exhibit “Joy” and the first FIAT on-the-spot painting contest for children.

The incredible George Yang opened the music gala with “Funicul, Funicula,” “Unchained”, which he dedicated to Joey and Vicky – whose love for each other, tenor Yang asserted, was unchained – the Neapolitan song “O Sole Mio” and the aria “Nessun Dorma” from Puccini’s opera Turandot.

Yang, my favorite “late bloomer”, proved that he has kept “blooming” with time, his voice soaring and sustaining the top notes with added confidence and assurance. He articulated the Italian and English lyrics clearly, and he sang “Nessun Dorma” expressively, to the increasing wonder and resounding applause of the audience.

The appeal of Jose Mari Chan, long-time singer and composer, was altogether different. He communicated with each listener endearingly, as though he were singing just for him or her. “Refrain”, he explained, was composed when he was still courting Mary Ann. Its exquisite melody, like the melodies of the other two love songs, lingered in the mind, Jose Mari’s voice remaining soothing, gentle, caressing throughout. As he implied, he composes readily and easily, while supplying the beautiful, moving lyrics himself. For instance, he dashed off one of the love songs while he was waiting for his plane!

The program offered something for every one. Popular music gave way to classic with the legendary Nena del Rosario Villanueva playing Astor Piazzola’s “Le Grand Tango” with brilliant cellist Renato Lucas. Piazzola revolutionized conventional dance forms — try dancing the tango to ‘Le Grand Tango’! — as no other composer has done before or after him. Pianist and cellist conveyed the strong, robust rhythms and disguised lyricism — disguised because the listener did not quickly discern it. Rapport was impeccable, flawless, with Villanueva’s rich hues complementing Lucas’ vibrant, luminous tones.

Anton Arensky’s Trio No. 1 in D Minor was interpreted by multi-awarded international concert pianist Jiovanney Emmanuel Cruz, cellist Anton Josef Inacay and violinist Jareena Inacay, both richly talented but considerably younger and much less seasoned than Cruz.

A powerful piece, Arensky’s Trio was replete with thundering chords and rippling runs from Cruz who dominated from start to finish. The imbalance was technically not correct because in chamber music, the participants should have the scores evenly divided among them. But, to begin with, Arensky evidently showed partiality to the pianist, favoring him with bravura passages that frequently covered the entire keyboard. Secondly, with the titan Cruz as pianist, he inevitably outshone the other two young instrumentalists who played with marked distinction.

The Arensky Trio was exciting and fascinating, Cruz infusing the movements — particularly the Allegro moderato, the Scherzo and the Allegro non troppo – with electrifying elan.

The Arcellana family and the UP Institute of Creative Writing (UPICW) awarded the Francisco Arcellana Scholarship Grant (2008-2009) to Maria Emilynda Jeddahlyn Pia V. Benesa, a BA Creative Writing student of the UP Department of English and Comparative Literature (DECL) last Sept. 5 at the Dean’s Office, UP College of Arts and Letters (CAL). Benosa, a third-year student in Creative Writing, is current secretary of the UP Writers’ Club. She is a 2006 Manila Science High School graduate.

The grant, open to all UP students in CAL or DECL on a full-time basis, gives a monthly stipend of P2,000 for ten months of the school year from Aug. 1 to May 1 of the ensuing year. The grant was established by the family of Prof. Francisco Arcellana (1916-2002) to honor the late National Artist for Literature and UPICW founding director.