I mentioned last Sunday that the gathering of Visayanians from all over the world on July 29, 2019, the green-and-white UV Grand Alumni homecoming, or GAHOM, was “an affair to remember,” very rare and special, something that is not bound to happen again, at least not within the lifetime of those who attended. It was a gathering whose memory will be held dear in the hearts of those close to a thousand Visayanians in attendance.
In line with UV’s Centennial celebration, my wife Nena and I are excited to invite music loving Cebuanos to MADZSAULOG,” Magsaulog sa Awit ug Panaghigalaay,” a back-to-back concert of the University of the Visayas Chorale and the Philippine Madrigal Singers with choirmaster Mark Anthony A. Carpio on Sunday, August 18, 2019 at the Center Stage of SM Seaside at 7:30 in the evening.
This musical collaboration brought back vivid memories of the historic basketball game of the Ateneo Blue Eagles against the UV Green Lancers in the national collegiate championship in 1957 at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila. The event was even graced by the daughter of former Philippine president, Carlos Garcia, Linda, who cheered for the visiting Visayas team. It was the first ever televised game in Philippine basketball history. Dr. Joselito Almendras even mentioned to me, “Dodong, that epic battle will be remembered by many in the years to come.” In the same light, this very special one-night only concert is also one for the books, and will feature the JRG Visayanian Halad Orchestra led by Cebu’s Maestro Reynaldo Abellana.
This project is a dream-come-true for me. When I told my wife Nena about it, she asked, “Do you think we can bring these two groups together?” To note, UV Chorale’s conductor, Anna Tabita Piquero, is a member of the UP Mads (as the group is popularly called).
Prior to this event, the UV Chorale and my wife Nena, as manager, is also organizing Musikaalam 2019, a choral camp for choristers from all over the region that is aimed at providing access to affordable world-class choral education. The participants consist of choir groups and individual choristers. This activity will culminate in a joint concert featuring the participants of the workshop on Saturday, August 17, 2019 at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral at 8:00 in the evening.
For ticket reservations please call UV EVP Office at 255 2434 or 253 6173 local 102/111 or text 09214587138 (Tan-Tan) or 0997 685 7515 (Isla).