Strumming a nation's pride

I could have gone to other places in mundane routine on that day but instinct and passion led my feet to a flavorful night of music. It was an experience that I shared with my UP students, co-faculty, relatives, and friends. It was a wonderful feeling that I have shared such great experience with my loved ones.

May 17, 2014 at the Marcelo Fernan Press Center was the day that an international artist faced the musical Cebuano audience. Audience that was composed not only of older music aficionados but even the high spirited young ones. For my nieces and nephews, I was at first anxious that these young boys and girls might have difficulty of staying long and appreciating the kind of music. But to my surprise they stayed the whole performance in awe, full of admiration.

It was an evening of music that the artist's instrument we Cebuanos can easily associate with as we boast ourselves to the world as musical people. An instrument that tourists would love to bring back home-guitar.

Fixated to just one person, one artist onstage for more than an hour could have been so exhausting. But not to this artist that strumming the guitar whose fingers swiftly run from various strings.

It was an evening of immersion and wishful thinking. It was an immersion because of the new songs from a foreign land. And wishful thinking for I desire we could have a dynamic and well-supported training avenue for our aspiring enthusiasts.

Impeccable technique and innate musical mastery make Ms. Berta Rojas, the classical guitarist, a renowned tourism ambassador. She brought songs of her country Paraguay. Considered as the most popular musician in her country, she possesses the great skill in strumming the guitar that to me would take skillful fingers to do it. She brought her music out of her country and gave the Cebuano audience what her country has. Her music has so much pride of her country, so much soul and love for music. Indeed music does not only express one's feelings and aspirations but that of a nation.

Organized by the Independent Philippine Art Ventures, Inc. and the Arts Council of Cebu Foundation, the concert featured guest artist Ramoncito Carpio, the Filipino classical guitarist who has received multiple international awards.  Ramoncito started the show and it was a great sight of a Filipino whose passion and love for the instrument is overflowing.

Cebu has renowned guitar-making industry. Translating one's musical keenness to an instrument that eventually produces melodic sounds is a distinguishing Cebuano mark. As musical people, we always find time to express our innermost feelings. This handy musical instrument, in provinces, long before the karaokes and even until now, has been a common instrument whenever friends are in group or when they troop to certain places. It unifies friends in social gatherings. If truth be told, up to the late hour of the night, oftentimes extended until early morning, I have come across friends in sari-sari stores or waiting sheds, of course, for a drinking spree, a wonderful bonding experience.

Berta ended with a classic Filipino song, George Canseco's "Gaano Kita Kamahal." This was to the amusement of the audience. A familiar song played by a renowned international guitarist was refreshing. A perfect ending that I can sense from the audience wanting for more of Filipino songs, a Cebuano classic perhaps.

The artist brought a different melody from her own country with an instrument that we are very much familiar with and Cebu is known for. Her skill enthralled the audience. Plucking the guitar, the artist produced a soulful, magical piece of music.

But it's the common love and appreciation for music that assembled us all in that hall.