Recently, the Kabayaos auspiciously celebrated the 85th birthday of violin virtuoso Gilopez, his 40 years of wedded bliss with one of our leading pianists Corazon Pineda, their 45th year of musical partnership, and 65 years of concertizing, including the participation of their richly talented children Farida, Sicilienne and Gilberto in a unique quintet.
From the speech I delivered on the occasion, here are salient facts. After studies at NY’s College of Music, Gilopez gave his debut recital at 17 in NY’s Town Hall, a year later, he became the first Filipino to play at Carnegie Hall. Wrote the NY Times: “Kabayao seemed to hold the large audience in the palm of his hand, from beginning to end.” In 1961, he rendered 21 concerts in 29 days in New Zealand. In the 70’s, he concertized in Japan, Canada and the US. The NY Herald Tribune commented: “His extraordinary qualities lift him from among technicians and place him among artists.” The New Zealand Herald and the SF Chronicle figuratively placed him on a pedestal: “If this charming young man with a fiery temperament continues on his way up, he will soon appear in bold letters in European music circles,” predicted Viennese daily.
After his distinguished engagements in the US, Europe and Asia he concertized with Corazon in Manila, Asia, Canada, Australia, Europe and the US. Gilopez has conducted the Manila Symphony Orchestra; a dedicated mentor, his students consistently win in national contests. Driven by a proselyting zeal, Gilopez and Corazon perform in dilapidated theater houses, improvised stages, classrooms, sports arenas and even cockpits, thus spreading classic music to the masses and to thousands of our youth. The family continues to draw the highest critical acclaim.
Nene Leonor, former president of the Friends for Cultural Concerns, turned her sumptuous birthday celebration at the N. Forbes Pavilion into a fund-raising event for violin virtuoso “Chino” Gutierrez. Responding to Nene’s appeal were Menchu Concepcion, Tereret Liboro, Fortune Ledesma, Chloe Periquet, Minerva Tanseco, Mellie Ablaza, and Evie Costa, among others. Nene’s magnanimous gesture should be emulated. Our artists do not enjoy state subsidy; when they acquire international fame, their patrons elevate the country’s stature before the world.