A tribute to a maestro

This year marks the 100th birth anniversary of National Artist Lucio San Pedro, whose musical talent and influence greatly affected the course of Philippine music and culture.

As a tribute to the much-celebrated San Pedro, Freeway  recently launched its ninth installment of the National Artist Collector’s Series at The Row in Glorietta 1 in Makati.

With his music in the background played by a live string ensemble, the launch was definitely a night filled with nationalistic grandeur attended by San Pedro’s family and friends.

Hosted by Rachel Alejandro, the event started with a video montage of San Pedro’s life and works. Guests were treated to a beautiful medley of songs prepared by high school students straight from Lucio’s hometown, the ARS Noveau Chorale from Angono, Rizal Lead School for the Arts.

The night’s special guests were Khristy San Pedro-Salita, Rhodora San Pedro-delos Santos, Alberto delos Santos and Dr. Antonio Hila.

In line with the nationalistic theme of the event, the night was capped with the presentation of the winners of the recently held Art Bag Design contest. The winning designs, Fiestas in the Philippines by Kevin Roque and Ang Huling Babaylan by Christine Sioco, are now available in Freeway stores nationwide.

San Pedro, born in Angono, Rizal on February 11, 1913, was a great Filipino composer, conductor and teacher. He is popular for his lullaby Sa Ugoy ng Duyan made with another National Artist for Music Levi Celerio, and the symphonic poem Lahing Kayumanggi.

During his late teen years, he became a church organist and started composing songs, hymns and two complete Masses for voice and orchestra. After studying under different musicians in the Philippines, he proceeded to the Juilliard School of Music in New York City as a scholar and learned advanced composition under Bernard Wagenaar in 1947.

His numerous works, influences and contributions to Philippine music led to his proclamation as a National Artist of the Philippines for Music on May 9, 1991 by President Corazon Aquino. He died at the age of 89 on March 31, 2002 due to cardiac arrest. His gravesite can be found in his hometown of Angono.

(For more information, visit www.freewayonline.com.ph,www.facebook.com/FreewayOnline or @FreewayOnline on Instagram.)

Design excellence

Interior designer Jigs Adefuin constantly innovates the design landscape of his discipline. He adheres to the classic idea of investing in one’s passion and determination.

Being in the business for 18 years, his accomplishments are a testament to his commitment to design excellence. He took great consideration of his education, pursuing design courses at the Philippine School of Interior Design (PSID).

One of his greatest milestones was ranking 10th in the Philippine Interior Design Board Examination. For five years, Adefuin underwent extensive training at the Nardy Aquino Interior Design Studio. He eventually worked for an international luxury furniture brand, learning everything about furniture construction, proportion and texture for six years. He capitalized on all his knowledge and experiences and established the Adefuin Design Studio, stationed at the LRI Design Plaza in Makati. Because of his respectable reputation in the industry, Adefuin was recognized by his alma mater as one of the PSID 10 Iconoclasts.

“For a design to be able to transcend time, it requires the use of tried and tested design elements. To be a good designer does not necessarily mean that you invent your own; you have the benefit of history to tell you what works and what doesn’t,” says Adefuin.

The LRI Design Plaza, in its desire to provide a platform to showcase the expertise this seasoned interior designer, chose him to be the 2013 Designer of Choice in its annual design exhibit.

LRI Design Plaza proprietor Tony Lo shares, “Adefuin is the bridge between the young and the young-at-heart designers. He  transcends the preferences and tastes of different generations with timelessness and maturity that appeal to all.”

(Visit Adefuin Design Studio at unit 309, LRI Design Plaza, 210 Nicanor Garcia St. (formerly Reposo), Bel-Air II, Makati City.  For more information, send an e-mail at [email protected].)