Classical Filipino music, poetry come back to life at grand cultural night held at PH Consulate by Mary Ann R. Mandap

In an unforgettable evening of nostalgic music and elegant poetry, the University of the Philippines Alumni Association in B.C. (UPAABC), in cooperation with the Philippine Consulate in Vancouver (PCG), staged last July 3, “Harana, Tula, Kundiman at Balagtasan: A Tribute to Filipino Songs and Verses.”

The event, held at the Consulate premises in downtown Vancouver, elicited surprising performances from alumni of UP and its long-time academic rival Ateneo, Consulate personnel and community leaders. It also drew lusty cheers from an appreciative crowd who seemed to have been brought together by a common love and longing for these distinctly Filipino art forms.

Balagtasan, the evening’s highlight, was a throwback to this cherished Tagalog tradition started in the 1920s, where bards debated a topic and argued in elegant verse. Aprodicio “Prod” Laquian, professor emeritus at the University of British Columbia (UBC), UP alumnus and balagtasan aficionado since his student days, was the principal moving force behind the revival of this poetic joust.

Prof. Laquian single-handedly wrote the script, including the lines delivered by protagonists Art Fabian of UP and Alya Manansala of Ateneo, who argued on the topic “Dapat ba o hindi dapat mag-dual citizen ang isang Filipino Canadian?”  Laquian also played the role of lakandiwa, arbiter and annotator for the debate.

Another much-applauded segment was the Harana, where UP crooners Anton Mandap, Del Gatchalian, Arthur Fabian and Tony Aytona accompanied by Alex Anaya on guitar, gave a hilarious impression of Filipino serenaders in the tradition of Dolphy and Panchito and the ubiquitous Minyong, the bald but exceptionally gifted guitarist of yore.

Meanwhile, elegant and passionate Tagalog flowed in copious amounts in the Tula portion as poets took turns reciting lines from classic Tagalog poems as well as some contemporary works. Ateneo’s Mike Calingo got the ball rolling with Bonifacio’s Pag-ibig sa Tinubuang Lupa, followed by UP’s Eric Inigo who dramatized Rizal’s lament in “Huling Paalam.” Tess Zamora Sumagui, also of UP, did a passionate rendition of “Awit ni Maria Clara.”

Renowned bilingual poet Anita Aguirre, meanwhile, recited her own work, “Ang Wikang Pilipino,” which was followed by Tony Aytona’s “Pumanaw na Kaibigan” and Nestor Navasero’s “Isang Daang Taong Pananaliksik sa UPLB.”

A medley of classic kundiman songs by Pilita Corrales and Sylvia La Torre was performed by UPAA ladies Fremma Esquejo, Charen Cusi, Elizabeth Fabian and Mary Ann Mandap. This was followed by the heartfelt rendition by UPAA President Charen Cusi of the melancholic kundiman love song, “Minamahal Kita”.

Renowned Soprano Kay Balajadia-Liggayu and Tenor Nazer Degayo Salcedo enthralled the audience with a regional medley of Kundiman songs and timeless ballads such as, Saan Ka Man Naroroon, Bato sa Buhangin and Hindi Kita Malimot.

The tribute to Filipino songs and verses was made more successful by the lively hosting of the two emcees Consul Rogelio Villanueva and Atty. Monette Ledesma, who gamely tried to speak in fluent and archaic Tagalog throughout the program.

Consul General Neil Frank Ferrer lauded the organizers for putting the event together.  He said the Consulate is grateful for relevant undertakings that promote Philippine language and culture. “Ngayon lang po ako nakarinig ng ganito kalalim na tagalog,” he joked. – Mary Ann R. Mandap

Photos by Angelo Siglos