Philippine guitar Sinfonia: A celebration of guitar music

CEBU, Philippines - Everyone is familiar with the term “classic”, often used in describing anything that is iconic in stature.

But as well-established, “classic” is as an adjective for something that’s of the highest of class, the realm of semantics enthuses a demonstrably enduring quality in identifying what is classical – referring to a “classic” as something that continues to be of relevance and value even with the passing of days, months, years, decades and centuries.

Here in Cebu, the Guitar Foundation of the Philippines Inc. is well aware of this “classical fact”, driven in highlighting the qualifiers and hallmarks which have made classical pieces and performances endearing through the years.

From the Cebu Classic Guitar Society to the Guitar Foundation of the Philippines Inc.

In 1974, a group of 13 young and talented guitar enthusiasts under the guidance and tutelage of Maestro Ulysses Dumdum formed what was then known as the Cebu Classic Guitar Society.

As an organization, the Cebu Classic Guitar Society was intent on not just promoting classic guitar music to the Filipino audience, but also on establishing a comprehensive library of guitar-related materials, as well as bridge interactions with world famous guitarists to help expose and develop local talents.

By the 1980s, the Cultural Center of the Philippines took the initiative in commissioning the City of Cebu in forming a guitar ensemble, with its foundation envisioned as a complement to the region’s bustling guitar making industry. The city’s Cultural and Historical Affairs Commission, with Commissioner for Music, Dr. Bonifacio Cabahug Jr. at the helm, spearheaded the project.

With the Cebu Classic Guitar Society already active at the time, the organization proved to be integral as a “recruitment avenue” for the undertaking, eventually leading to the formation of the Cebu Classical Guitar Ensemble, with Professor Lester Demetillo playing an integral role in its inception.

On February 22, 1984, the ensemble celebrated its debut concert at the Rizal Library and Museum, which was followed by a Visayan Concert Tour to the key cities in the region a year after.

Since then, the Cebu Classical Guitar Ensemble adopted a new moniker when it was duly registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission – the Guitar Foundation of the Philippines Incorporated.

The GFPI Cebu Classical Guitar Ensemble

In 2010, GFPI decided to revive the Cebu Classical Guitar Ensemble, with its reboot intended for the propagation of classical guitar standards to the new generation.

Currently composed of different classical guitar enthusiasts and pros – from students as young as 11 years old to professionals such as doctors, educators and lawyers – the group managed to turn heads its way in 2012 when it performed as the opening act of the 2012 Philippine International Guitar Festival and Competition.

For a group that’s active for smaller ensemble performances – with the GFPI Guitar Ensemble recognized as the foundation’s main unit – the GFPI Cebu Classical Guitar Ensemble has impressively accomplished a lot in satisfying its aims for being.

This month, the group will be taking part in a celebration of classical guitar performances spearheaded by GFPI, entitled “Philippine Guitar Sinfonia: A Celebration of Guitar Music From the Islands of the Archipelago,” on September 28, 2013, 7:30 PM at the Cebu Cultural Center, University of the Philippines Cebu, Lahug.

As an event, contingents from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao will come together in Philippine Guitar Sinfonia, showcasing guitar orchestral performances, ensembles, duets, and so much more.

All of Cebu is invited to take part in the upcoming celebration of Filipino talent, as well as witness all the charisma and appeals that has led to the world’s endearment for classical guitar performances and standards though the years.

For more information on the Philippine Guitar Sinfonia concert, and for more information on the Guitar Foundation of the Philippines Inc, like GFPI on Facebook – www.facebook.com/pages/Guitar-Foundation-of-the-Philippines-Inc