By Freddie Velez
CITY OF MALOLOS, Bulacan – The annual Singkaban Festival, which showcases Bulakenyo culture, tradition, and arts got off the wraps recently in this city as well as folk dances and Kundiman songs.
Singkaban Festival (photo courtesy of Philippine Festival) MANILA BULLETIN
Adopting the theme ‘Pamanang Kalinangan ng Nakaraan, Gabay sa Maunlad na Kinabukasan’ the month-long Singkaban Festival kicked off with a free concert of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra at the Bulacan Capitol Gymnasium in this city recently.
The 40 musicians under the baton of conductor Herminigildo Ranera impressed the Bulacan crowd with their rendition of popular and traditional pieces.
“Ang huhusay nila at talagang nakakabilib, na-entertain kami ng labis. Nakaka-enjoy lalo na at iba’t ibang music from different generations ang kanilang tinugtog at lalo pa ‘yung modern music kung saan nakaka-relate ang mga kabataan. Naitataas ang kamulatan ng mga Bulakenyo sa cultural and artistic appreciation,” said Ann Valentin, government employee from Bocaue, Bulacan.
Bulacan Gov. Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado said that Bulacan can be considered as the primary musical stage not only in the national level but also in the global arena.
He said Bulacan gave birth to numerous children of music who were recognized because of their exceptional talents.
“Nariyan sina Antonino Buenaventura, Ernani Cuenco, Levi Celerio, Nicanor Abelardo at Francisco Santiago na mga hinirang na Pambansang Alagad ng Sining at hindi maitatangging lumikha ng puwang sa mundo ng musika,” Alvarado said.
Alvarado added that in many instances, music is the only medium that can be used to express real feelings and sentiments especially in times where no words can describe what a person is feeling.
It is also the spirit that binds individuals to have a peaceful and unbiased life under the ideals of brotherhood.
Meanwhile, also present during the event were Arsenio Lizaso, president of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and the Bulacan Tourism Council headed by its president, Jorge Allan Tengco.