NEWSFLASH

BRAVO FILIPINO AT BARASOAIN CHURCH

Malolos, Bulacan, Oct. 25, 2001 The historic Barasoain Church in Malolos, Bulacan, may perhaps be remembered for a number of reasons. It holds the distinction of being the venue for the oath-taking of General Emilio Aguinaldo as president of the first Philippine Republic (where former president Joseph Estrada and vice-president-turned president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo took their respective oaths in 1998).

The church is also known for its elaborate ceiling and wall paintings, as well as for being immortalized in our ten peso bills.

Residents can take pride in this architectural wonder, for it has become a site for concerts, such as a recent one when Bulakeños were captivated by the performances of four local artists.

Occupying a large portion of the numerous pews, the crowd cheered at the "Fantastic Four," consisting of pianist Mariel Ilusorio Villarama, bass baritone Jonathan Zaens, cellist Wilfredo Pasamba and flutist Antonio Maigue.

The group's show, dubbed as "Bravo Filipino," was a culmination of the CCP's Filipino Artists' Series' concert tour in celebration of its 15th anniversary.

Prior to its Bulacan performance, the quartet had also performed at the CCP on July 31. This was followed by outreach tours in regional areas such as Bukidnon, Cagayan de Oro, Sigma, Capiz, Iloilo, Bacolod, Cebu and Angeles city in Pampanga.

The crowd was awed by Pasamba's interpretations of Bach's "Prelude and Fugue from Suite No. 5 in C minor," and his renditions of Nicanor Abelardo's "Cavatina," as well as his duet with Tony Maigue on Heitor Villalobos' "Jet Whistle."

Zaens, the lone vocalist, rendered soulful renditions of Gioacchino Rossini's "Gia d'insoluto ardore" from "The Italian in Algiers," Maury Yeston's "Unusual Way" from "Nine," and Abelardo's "Bituing Marikit."

Statuesque and ravishing in a terno, Villarama regaled listeners with her pieces: Liszt's "Etude No. 3: La Campanella" and Buencamino's piece on Mt. Mayon. Her strong and expert fingers created fine tunes.

Maigue's artistry on the flute, as he played Georges Enesco's "Cantabile et Presto," while being accompanied by Ilusorio on the piano, was evident. His performance of Martinu Bohuslav's "Trio for flute, cello and piano" with Pasamba and Ilusorio was likewise a hit, earning a standing ovation.

The four later dished out a medly of Filipino folk chants and children's songs as their last number, which elicited more rounds of applause and bravos. At the end of the program, the crowd clamored for more, and the group essayed a rather strange piece called "Kanta ng mga Pusa."

When asked about his feelings after the concert, Pasamba described the audience as being "appreciative" as in the other regions he toured. Concertizing in Barasoain for the first time, in fact, was an eye-opener for the cellist. As for their shows in other regional areas, he regarded the performance in Cebu a memorable one. "We brought the house down," he fondly recalls. And he now belives that being part of the outreach tour is an informative experience, too.

The FAS Commemorative Concert Tour in Bulacan was a joint undertaking of the CCP, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts and the Barasoain Kalinangan Foundation, Inc.