CAMP DIRECTOR
The camp director is Dr. Ramon P. Santos, National Artist for Music of the Philippines.
He belongs to the New and Experimental Music group of Filipino composers. As composer, his works have been conceived along concepts and aesthetic frameworks of Philippine and Southeast Asian artistic traditions, featuring elements from western and non- western sources, including various combinations of orchestral instruments, Javanese gamelan, Philippine indigenous instruments, as well as different styles of vocal production.
He was Composition Chair and Dean of the University of the Philippines (UP) College of Music, and Artistic Director of the Cultural Center of the Philippines. He is now a University Professor Emeritus of the UP.
FACULTY
MARY LOUISE ALCANTARA
Mary Louise Macanaya-Alcantara finished her Diploma and Bachelor’s Degree in Music major in Voice, cum laude, at the University of the Philippines College of Music under Prof. Ma. Cecilia Valeña. Her most recent appearance on stage was her well-received performance as Sisa in de Leon’s Noli Me Tangere the Opera at the Cultural Center of the Philippines in 2017. She previously appeared in productions of Tanghalang Pilipino and UP College of Music. She has sung for voice masterclasses of international opera singers Nelly Miricioiu, Claire Primrose, and Arthur Espiritu. An alumna of the Philippine Madrigal Singers, she was part of the batch that won the 2007 European Grand Prix for Choral Singing held in Arezzo, Italy. She has been invited to adjudicate choral competitions and has given choral and vocal workshops all over the country.
She teaches voice at the Asian Institute for Liturgy and Music and the Madz Music Studio. She is a guest music facilitator for the Sining sa Eskwela teacher training program of the CCP Arts Education Department. She is currently the Program Director of the National Music Competitions for Young Artists (NAMCYA).
BEN B. BRILLANTES
Ben B. Brillantes at age 9 started informal music training when he joined the “Los Trobadores Rondalla” of his beloved town of Cainta. As a banduria soloist and double bass player of this noted “Los Trobadores Rondalla”, he won numerous awards and distinction. At age 12 he then joined the Cainta Community Band as a clarinetist to further develop his talent in music.
His Bachelor of Music in performance degree was from the University of Sto. Tomas Conservatory of Music where he majored two instruments, double bass and clarinet. He also took up emphasis in conducting and he is the first conservatory student who majored in rondalla. As a Rector’s scholarship awardee, he participated in the Asean Universities Arts Festival 2001 held in Singapore. He is one of the clarinetists in the U.S.T. Symphonic Band which competed with other Asian countries in the 2002, 4th Asian Symphonic Band Competition held in Bangkok, Thailand.
In 2003 he toured Japan for the premier of Fr. Manuel Maramba’s opera Lord Takayama Ukon. As a founding member of the Southeast Asian Youth Orchestra and Wind Ensemble, passing the audition in five years (2003-2007) as principal Double Bass, he played with eminent guest conductors and soloists. In 2006 he assumed the post of resident conductor for the Cainta Community Band. In 2007 he established The Cainta Rondalla Ensemble Inc. that won in the National Music Competition for Young Artist and has performed in the 3rd International Rondalla Festival. 2008 was the founding of the Taytay Youth Philharmonic Orchestra with Maestro Delfin Calderon as Music Director, who personally chose him as his associate conductor.
He finished his Master of Music degree Major in Theory Pedagogy at St. Paul University and with his thesis entitled Philippine Symphonic Rondalla he was awarded Summa Cum Laude.
At present Ben is the chairman of the newly opened V.I.P. Gullas Conservatory of Music of the University of the Visayas, the first conservatory in Cebu to offer a Bachelor of Music degree.
LEONARDO E. BRUNO JR.
Leo started playing the octavina at age 8 as a member of the Timoteo Paez Elementary School Rondalla under the tutelage of Maestro Celso Espejo. After elementary school, he further honed his skills in the Rondalla by joining the Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group, a resident folk dance company of the CCP, as a musician in 1998 and eventually became the musical director of the Kalilayan Folkloric Group, one the best folkdance groups in QuezonProvince in 2001. When the Celso Espejo Rondalla (CER), one of the best Rondalla groups in the country, formed in 2002, he became one of the group’s core members. Aside from the CER, he is also currently a member of the University of the Philippines Rondalla (UPR).
As a musician, he has performed in various events here and abroad, most notably, the CuerdasInternational Rondalla Festivals in 2004 (Naga), 2007 (Dumaguete), 2010 (Tagum) as a member of the CER and 2014 (Taiwan) as a member of the UPR. He has also participated in other international music and dance festivals in Thailand, UAE, Portugal, Russia, China and Korea; as well as other functions in Iran, Italy, and Germany.
He became one of the trainers and resource persons of the National Rondalla Workshops at the Cultural Center of the Philippines in 2014, 2016 and 2017, teaching instrumental technique for the octavina. He was also elected President of Pambansang Samahan ng Rondalla (PASARON), a national organization of Rondalla teachers and enthusiasts, from 2007 to 2009.
An alumnus of Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation in Catanauan, Quezon and the University of the Philippines – Open University, he is currently an elementary public school teacher in Dep Ed – Pasay City and the conductor of the Timoteo Paez Elementary School Rondalla. He is also finishing his Masters of Education at the Philippine Normal University in Manila.
ELAINE JULIET ESPEJO CAJUCOM
Started to play Banduria at the age of five and already invited to perform in various hotels and some momentous cultural events all over the Philippines. At age nine, she was awarded “Best Rondalla Player” by the City School Division of Paranaque. At ten, she joined the NAMCYA SoloBanduria Competition and won first prize. A year after, she was awarded as the Grand Champion in “Barangayan” National Solo Instrument Category which aired over Philippine TV. During her early years as Rondalla trainer/conductor, her group won First prize in NAMCYA Children’s Rondalla Competition and Nayong Pilipino “Banduria, Octavina, Gitara at Iba pa” National Rondalla Competition where she was named as “Best Conductor” respectively.
As a Rondalla Head Trainer, she conducted the following workshops: Banduria Solo Workshop, International Rondalla Festival, Tagum City; Regional Trainer’s Upgrading on Rondalla Music Workshop, Tagum City; Regional Trainers’ Training in Rondalla, Surallah, South Cotabato; PASINAYA Rondalla Lecture-Demo, Cultural Center of the Philippines, Sanay-Guro, Baguio City, Master Class in Rondalla Music, UP Los Baños and CCP National Rondalla Workshop at Cultural Center of the Philippines.
As a Banduria Soloist she represented the country in the 2012-2016 Asia Traditional Ensemble and Asia Traditional Orchestra in Seoul and Guangju South Korea, 21th ASEAN Regional Festival for Arts and Culture in Phnom Penh Cambodia, Asian Games Welcome Dinner and Concert in Incheon South Korea, ASEAN Commemorative Summit Welcome Dinner in Busan South Korea.
She is also a core member and soloist of the renowned Rondalla Group, Celso Espejo Rondalla. She performed with the group in the 3rd International Music Festival in Krasnoyarsk, Russia; 65th Anniversary of the Embassy of the Philippines in Rome, Italy; India International Center Experience: Festival of The Arts in New Delhi India; 50th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relation Between the Republic of the Philippines, the Islamic Republic of Iran in Tehran, Iran; and 45th National Day Celebration in United Arab Emirates.
She is currently the Music Director of Sidhaya Rondalla, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts Employees’ Rondalla and the University of the Philippines Rondalla. An Artist and resource person of Cultural Center of the Philippines,Training Division and Music Programs. A Faculty Member / Senior Lecturer in Music Education Department, College of Music, University of the Philippines. Adjudicator and Chair, NAMCYA Rondalla Category and Solo Rondalla Category.
JIMUEL DAVE T. DAGTA
Jimuel Dave T. Dagta is an emerging composer, arranger, rondalla trainor, and a keyboardist. He took Bachelor of Music major in Composition and graduated magna cum laude and the class valedictorian of the 2016 batch of the UP College of Music. He studied composition under the tutelage of world-renowned composer Professor Josefino “Chino” Toledo, piano under Professors Augusto Espino, Pia Balasico and Luci Magalit, harp under the veteran harpist Lourdes Gregorio, and bandurria under Elaine Espejo.
In February 2013, he was one of the top 15 finalists from 637 entries when he joined the prestigious International Federation for Choral Music Choral Composition Competition. In March 2015, his composition Pulso for Flute and Orchestra was featured in the Musik Underkonstruktion of the Metro Manila Concert Orchestra. In November 2015, the same piece was performed by the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra at the Culutral Center of the Philippines, and it won the Yoshiro Irino Composers Prize during the 33rd Asian Composers League Festival.
Currently, he is a faculty member of St. Scholastica’s College-Manila and De La Salle College of St. Benilde teaching piano improvisation, music theory, orchestration and composition. He is the founder of the Padayon Rondalla where he plays the bandurria, and a member of AUIT, a vocal ensemble that specialises in performing contemporary music.
VERNE DE LA PEÑA, Ph.D.
Verne de la Peña chairs the Department of Musicology at the University of the Philippines College of Music and is the present Director of the UP Center for Ethnomusicology. He received his Ph.D. in Ethnomusicology from the University of Hawai’i at Manoa as a degree fellow of the East–West Center. He has conducted field work among the Kankanaey, Bontoc and Ifugao in Northern Philippines, among the Tagalog of Southern Luzon, the Iraya of Mindoro Island, the Yakan of Basilan Island and parts of Mindanao. Having also written about the Pinoy hiphop scene as well as Philippine contemporary music, he is frequently invited to speak on Philippine music culture in international and national conferences and workshops. In UP, he handles courses related to Philippine and world musics, musicology, and ethnomusicology, and currently serves as artistic director of the UP Tugtugang Musika Asyatika (UP TUGMA), a student ensemble specializing in Philippine and Asian traditional music. He earned both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in composition, and occasionally premiers new works for various media. His works have been published and performed in parts of Asia and America. He’s most recent work is Balung-an, a piece for various Asian instruments and dance premiered in Bangkok in 2012. In recognition of his academic and artistic achievements, the University of the Philippines conferred him the official rank of UP Artist II for the period 2016-2018.
SOLAIMAN EMATA JAMISOLAMIN
Solaiman Jamisolamin is a guitar lecturer at the UP College of Music. He is a graduate of Bachelor of Music major in Classical Guitar, under the tutelage of Mr. Lester Demetillo, at the UP College of Music. He is a member of Oktokanto Guitar Quartet and a former member of UP Guitar Orchestra and Knightwinds Choir. He pioneered the ensemble group, Guitar Guild (GuiGuil), for guitar minors, concentrations, extensions, and enthusiasts.
Aside from teaching in the UP College of Music, Mr. Jamisolamin also teaches ukulele and guitar for the indigent and for children with special needs. He volunteers as a ukulele instructor for Haemophilia Association for Love and Service (HAPLOS). He is also involved in Open School of Music—a UP College of Music community service group.
Solaiman served as a Musical Director in UP Diliman’s Christmas Pailaw: Himig ng Diliman and Diliman Art’s Month’s Salaysayan: K’wentong Bayan, Kaalamang Bayan. He directed, composed, and arranged music for specific themes sponsored by the Diliman Information Office (DIO) and Office for Initiatives in Culture and the Arts (OICA).
At present, Mr. Jamisolamin took core subjects in Master in Music in Musicology at the UP College of Music. He was recently admitted for Master of Music in Performance majoring in classical guitar and as a teaching assistant at the Illinois State University. He will continue his Masters abroad this coming August 2017.
JOHN KING LAYABAN
John King was a banduria member of the Sisters of Mary Boystown Rondalla when the group became Champion in the 2007 National Music Competitions for Young Artists (NAMCYA) High School Rondalla under the trainership of Mr. Nelson G. Espejo. In 2008, he was awarded Best in Rondalla upon his graduation in the Sisters of Mary Boystown. In 2011, he became one of the members of the Celso Espejo Rondalla.
He participated in the 3rd Strings of Unity International Rondalla Festival in Tagum City, Davao, in 2011. He was also one of the participants in the 45thSpirit of Union, performing in various cities in the United Arab Emirates, through the National Commission for Culture and the Arts and the Embassy of the UAE. He has also performed in important events such as the APEC Summit in 2015 as well as the ASEAN Summit in 2016.
He also was one of the trainers of the 2017 National Rondalla Workshop by the Cultural Center of The Philippines (CCP) Arts Education Department, teaching Instrumental Techniques of the Banduria. Currently, he is finishing his studies at the City University of Pasay, with the degree of Bachelor in Elementary Education.
RENATO LUCAS, Ph.D.
Renato Lucas is a noted cellist and conductor who has worked with the whole spectrum of music: collaborating with pop icons Ryan Cayabyab, Basil Valdez, and Kuh Ledesma; contemporary avant-garde composers from the Asia-Pacific Region; with the Deconstruction Theatre Phillip Glass Ensemble; conductors Redentor Romero, Dr. Francisco Feliciano; and film scoring with Nonong Buencamino in Marilou Diaz-Abaya’s masterpiece Rizal.
He was the Principal Cellist of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO) and currently teaches Cello, Chamber Music, Music History, and Music Literature at the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Conservatory of Music where he also serves as a Conductor of the UST Symphony Orchestra.
Lucas is a University of the Philippines alumni and he completed his M.A. in History from the UST Graduate School with the thesis on the History of the Symphony Orchestra in the Philippines.
At a young age, he joined Prof. Sales’ Pasaknungan Chamber Orchestra and the Philippine Youth Orchestra of Prof. Sergio Esmilla, Jr. He won first prize in the prestigious National Music Competition for Young Artist (NAMCYA) in 1978, and won the League of Filipino Composers’s Chamber Music Composition Contest that same year.
Lucas studied abroad at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music under Bonnie Hampton, a protege of the legendary Pablo Casals. He became principal cellist of the San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra, under Edo de Wart. He participated in the masterclasses of legendary cellists like Paul Tortelier, Zara Nelsova, Lorne Munroe, Anner Bylsma, Mstislav Rostropovich and the members of the Beaux Arts Trio. He won in auditions to participate in the Spoleto Festival held in Charleston, USA and Spoleto, Italy.
Renato represented the Philippines in various Southeast Asian Arts Festivals. He held a concert tour in China with the PPO String Quartet in 1987. In 1988, he was the Philippine representative to the first World Cello Congress in Washington D.C.
He played with the Detmolder Kammerorchester orchestra and performed for various chamber music concerts. Lucas has played with many ensembles including the Manila Chamber Orchestra, Camerata Manila, Metro Manila Symphony Orchestra, and the UST Symphony Orchestra.
Lucas’ outstanding Dvorak Cello Concerto capped the 1992-93 PPO concert season. His recent performances include Bruch’s Kol Nidre with the PPO’s Homecoming Concert. He was featured as soloist in the 1998 PPO Concert season and in 1999-2000, with the Elgar Cello Concerto under the baton of Oscar Yatco. He was invited by Maestro Piero Gamba in the United Nations Millennium Concert of the Nations held in 1999 at the Lincoln Center in New York.
LUCI MAGALIT
Luci Abakán Magalit is an Associate Professor of Piano, Piano Literature, and Music Theory at the UP College of Music, where she earned both her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Piano Performance. Grateful for the opportunities to have performed in several different countries, and to have learned from and worked with various international artists, Ms. Magalit works to share the fruit of her experiences in her capacity as teacher-performer. In recent years she has been involved mostly in collaborative music such as instrumental chamber, choral, vocal, and piano with orchestra performances. She is a member of the Auit Vocal Chamber Ensemble, a group dedicated to the performance of choral works by living composers. She served as pianist for 25 years and Choir Director for 10 years at the Diliman Bible Church in Teachers’ Village, Quezon City.
NATHAN NEIL V. MANIMTIM
Filipino guitarist and researcher Nathan Neil V. Manimtim finished his Bachelor of Music degree in Guitar Performance from the University of the Philippines in Diliman under Professor Lester Demetillo. He is a pioneer member of the UP Guitar Orchestra and served as a guitar faculty in UP from 2003-2009. Under the tutelage of Dr. Angelo Favis, Nathan earned his Master of Music degree in Classical Guitar Performance from Illinois State University, with distinction, last May 2011. There, he was granted a full-time assistantship and worked as a Teaching Assistant while doing his masteral studies. While in the U.S., he also had the opportunity to perform in the 2010 and 2011 Mid-America Guitar Ensemble Festival held in Michigan and Illinois respectively. In addition, he played in the master classes of William Kanengiser and Nigel North. After coming home from the U.S., Nathan returned as a faculty member to the UP College of Music where he presently teaches undergraduate and graduate guitar students.
In 2013, he was featured as a concerto soloist performing the Philippine premiere of Joaquín Rodrigo’s Concerto Andaluz for four guitars and orchestra at the UP Theater, and was the principal guitarist of National Artist Dr. Ramon Santos’ Daragang Magayon during its premiere in the main theater of the Cultural Center of the Philippines. He performed as principal guitarist and soloist in a concert held in Aug 2015 entitled Masdan, O Yahweh featuring works of Rody Vera, Jonas Baes, and National Artists Francisco Feliciano and Rolando Tinio; played the second guitar part of Dr. Santos’ Awit ni Pulau performed by the UP Cherubim and Seraphim last July 2016; and was featured in the 2015, 2016, and 2017 Strings Department Concert Series together with other UP faculty. He is also the founding member of the Manila Guitar Quartet, a performing group composed of guitar faculty from different music schools in Metro Manila such as the University of the Philippines, University of Santo Tomas, Philippine Women’s University, and St. Scholastica’s College.
Nathan is currently pursuing his Ph.D. in Music at the University of the Philippines and researching on the Tradition of Guitar Lutherie in the Philippines under the supervision of his adviser National Artist for Music Dr. Ramon Santos. Aside from his research as a Ph.D. student, Nathan is also the Project Leader/main proponent of the DOST-PCIEERD funded research project implemented by the UP College of Music and UP Electrical and Electronics Engineering Institute entitled Gitara ni Juan: Development of Prototype Design and Standardization of the Guitar-making Process for Quality Classical Guitars Using Select Philippine Woods. Moreover, he is now the Chairperson of the Strings and Chamber Music Department of the UP College of Music.
JAY D. SARITA
Jay D. Sarita is a rondalla conductor, public school teacher, luthier and entrepreneur based in Dipolog City. He started his career as a conductor in 2002 and currently handling the Dipolog Community Rondalla. Under his leadership, the group actively participated in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Strings of Unity International Rondalla Festivals in the Philippines and Taiwan. They had a successful solo concert performed in Milan, Italy during the 117th Philippine Independence Day Celebration in 2015.
With years of experience on playing and teaching, he strongly believes that there is a need to improve rondalla instruments. Through his desire of addressing those needs, he depended on his personal experiences, fact-finding, and analysis. Multiple experimentations had helped him develop a new approach in instrument making by understanding the history and local practices of the makers, strength of material and acoustics. Later, Sarita String Artisan was established in 2014.
Mr. Sarita also learned from great flamenco guitar performer and luthier Maestro Adolfo Timuat who supplies soundboards from his company called the Dancing Wood. In 2014, he was invited as a resource person for the project proposal entitled Gitara ni Juan by the Department of Science and Technology and University of the Philippines. In 2015, he conducted a workshop showing the process of making the Philippine Banduria as part of the Strings of Unity 4th International Rondalla Festival Conference and Workshop in Chinese Culture University in Taipei. He collaborated with Professor Michael Dadap in making a new breed of rondalla instruments for Children’s Orchestra Society in New York. In addition to rondalla instruments, he also studies bamboo xylophone making and learned from workshops conducted by Dr. Shin-Yin Wu of National Ilan University.
He aims to preserve and promote Philippine Rondalla through local developments and innovations.
CARLO SERRANO
Carlo Serrano is a choral conductor and composer from the Philippines. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Composition from the University of the Philippines College of Music, a Master’s degree in Choral Conducting from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York, and is currently a candidate for a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Music Theory from the New England Conservatory in Boston.
Carlo has sung with the Ateneo College Glee Club, the oldest university choir in the Philippines, as well as the men’s choir Aleron, both acclaimed for their success in international choral festivals and competitions. He has also sung with Voices, a professional choir comprised of the finest singers in Rochester, New York. He has studied composition with Josefino Chino Toledo, choral conducting with Prof. Eudenice Palaruan, Dr. William Weinert, Dr. Craig Arnold, and Dr. Ann Howard Jones, and voice with Jonathan Velasco, Christopher Arceo, and Jan Opalach.
JOSEFINO CHINO TOLEDO
Josefino Chino Toledo is a composer-conductor. He is a full professor of music composition and theory at the University of the Philippines; executive director of Miriam College Center for Applied Music; and currently the music director of Metro-Manila Concert Orchestra (MMCO) and GRUPO 20/21 a modular music ensemble.
Toledo is noted for premiering works of Filipino composers as well as other Asian composers and has conducted concerts in Japan, Indonesia, Australia, and China. According to Philippine art critic and National Artistst Leonor Goquingco, “Toledo is one of the (Philippines’) finest and best conductors ever.” His own compositions are regularly performed in international festivals, concerts, music competitions and recitals in US, Canada, Lithuania, Brazil, Israel, Australia, New Zealand, Italy, France, Austria, Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland and several Asian countries.
Among his awards are the University of the Philippines Artist III (highest university artist rank) for 2009-2014, The 2014 Natatanging Guro (Outstanding Mentor) – UP Gawad Chancellor, The UP Centennial Professorial Grant, The Outstanding Young Men Award (TOYM, Arts), International Award for the Arts, Civitella Ranieri Fellowship Award in Italy, the ASCAP-Raymund Hubbel Award in Composition, PMPC Star Award for Best Music, The Golden Screen Award for Best Music, Outstanding Distinguished Alumni Award from Far Eastern University, and Chancellor Award/s for Outstanding Musical Works from the University of the Philippines. Toledo is cited in the New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians (UK); 20th Century Composers of Asia (Japan); Komponisten der Gegenwart (Germany); Philippine Encyclopedia for the Arts; Who’s Who in International Music (England); and Who’s Who in Australasia and Far East (England,).
Toledo’s music has been described as “pure and powerful”, and has been cited for its fusion of contemporary western language and Southeast Asian aesthetics. Music critic Rosalinda Orosa described Toledo as “a composer-conductor of considerable worth” and “…an ingenious, remarkably original composer of singular creativity and imagination.” Toledo’s music is characterized by great energy and often bears a relationship to the traditional music of Southeast Asia. The U.S. premiere of his composition Sulyap sa Simbahan ng Quiapo mula sa Kalye Echague at Lincoln Center, New York was critically praised by the New York Times and New York Concert Network.
His critically acclaimed new opera San Andres B. received Philstage / Gawad Buhay awards for Outstanding Musical Direction, and Outstanding Original Musical Work. Toledo’s works also include music for theater, films and revisions and editing of Philippine Sarsuwelas.
MARY KATHERINE TRANGCO
Mary Katherine Jakosalem Trangco is a graduate of the University of the Philippines College of Music. She is a recipient of the Gerry Roxas National Leadership Award. She won in the Oragamu Togakushi Composition Competition in Nagano, Japan. She has been featured in festivals and concerts alongside National Artists Dr. Jose Maceda and Dr. Ramon Santos. Her composition for Rondalla entitled Hagikhikan was featured in the 1st International Rondalla Festival and included in the commemorative CD of the same event. Her compositions have been performed in festivals all over Asia. Her arrangements are slowly picking up popularity since awarded the Best Arrangement in the 2013 MBC National Choral Competition.
She has been part of the San Miguel Master Chorale, the country’s only professional choir. She has been invited by the National Commission on Culture and the Arts as a resource person for the production Magayon and has recorded songs for the soundtrack of Emir, Dementia, and a Joey Ayala project entitled Palay, Bigas, Kanin, which is also a project of NCCA.
Currently, she teaches in the UP College of Music Composition and Theory Department. She is also the adviser of the UP Composers of New Music, Treasurer of the Asian Composers League-Philippines, Vice President of Koro Filipino: Philippine Choral Guild, and a member of Women Composers League. She is the Assistant Conductor of the Ateneo Chamber Singers. She also conducts the AUIT Vocal Chamber Ensemble, and the Himig Sanghaya Chorale who recently garnered two Gold Diplomas in the freshly concluded 4th Hoi An International Choral Competition.
MENCHIE PORTENTO–TRAQUEÑA
Menchie Portento- Traqueña, a master teacher II of Andres Bonifacio Elementary School and formerly rondalla trainer of ABES Rondalla since 1993 to 2005.The group was recognized as Hall of Famer in the Division of City Schools Manila. She joined different competitions to represent Manila such as Children’s Rondalla Competition 1996 (NAMCYA- 1st place Regional), DECS PAGALINGAN SA SINING 1997- National Children’s Rondalla Competition- First Place; Octavina Gitara at Iba pa Children’s Rondalla Competition sponsored by PASAGURO (Pambansang Samahan ng mga Guro sa Rondalla) First Place1998 to 2001 (Nayong Pilipino) & 2003 Children’s Rondalla Competition (NAMCYA) third place.
It was in the year 2004 when she decided to gather the Andres Bonifacio Elementary School Alumni Rondalla from different batches to form Handuwaran Rondalla and later on known as A.B.E.S.A.R. They participated in various performances such as 1st International Rondalla festival held in Naga, Bicol (2004), 2nd International Rondalla Festival 2007 ( Dumaguete City), 3rd International Rondalla Festival 2011 ( Tagum, Davao) The group won the NAMCYA Rondalla C Category B at CCP as grand winner.
At present she is the head of Rondalla Kaloob Philippine Music & Dance company recognized by NCCA under the leadership of Pastor Ed Lapiz who is actively participating in different International Invitations such as Kebudayaan Antarabangsa Festival 2017 Sabah, Malaysia; 70th Anniversary of Philippine – Egyptian Relations; (Cairo, Egypt- 2016), ASEAN Music Festival in Qatar 2015, 4th Krasnoyarsk International of the Asia Music Festival of the Asia Pacific Region (2014- Russia), Lefkas International Folklore Festival (Lefkas Greece- 2012) Earth Dance (Athens Greece- 2012)
GLENN VELARDE
Glenn Velarde was six years old when he had his first drum lessons with his father TONY VELARDE who, to many Filipino musicians and Jazz enthusiasts, is considered Asia’s Best Drummer and a pillar in the Philippine music industry. At 9, Glenn joined the For Eastern University Bamboo Band Ensemble under the baton of Prof. Victor Toledo. His first year in high school saw him playing with the FEU Orchestra with Eduardo Porungao as the orchestra conductor. In 1979, he was drummer of the Philippine Youth Symphonic Band which participated in the 7th Youth Symphonic Band Festival held in Hong Kong.
Glenn Velarde holds a degree in Bachelor of Science in Architecture.
He turned professional musician in 1980 when he took over his father playing drums with the Jazz Friends. It was also at this time when he began doing concert dates playing as a session musician. Within the period of 1980 to date, he has been working as a session drummer for both local and international shows. He has performed with some of the country’s most respected musicians among them are Bong Peilera, Emy Munji, Emil Mijares, brothers Romy and Eddie Katindig, Tateng Katiridig, John Lesaca, Dominic Salustiano, Lito Molina, Ms. Beth Martin, Toti Fuentes, Gerry Paraiso, Rey Cristobal, Menchu Apostol, Mark Lopez, Bobby Taylo, Joselito Pascual and is currently with the Gerry Mottos Band.
He has played for shows which featured Ms. Nora Aunor, Ms. Joey Albert, Becca Godinez, Zsa Zsa Padilla, Celeste Legazpi, Anthony Castelo, Bert Nievera, Jun Polistico, Rico J. Puno, Ogie Alcasid, Monique Wilson, Vinci Morales, Rachel Alejandro, Haili Alejandro, Roselle Nova, Ms. Pinta Corrales, Diomedes Maturon, The Reycard, Desso, Dulce, Jaya, Nanette inventor, Marco Sison, Ariel Rivera, Ronnie and Lance Raymund°, Rey Valera, The New Minstrels, Allan K., Tadao Hayashi, Geneva Cruz, Jose Mari Chan, Jacqui Magno, Richard Merk, Leah Navarro, Mitch Valdez, Christian Bautista, Nonoy Zutliga, Piolo Pascual, and Sitti among many others.
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