Dignitaries and Old Masters
I sang for US Presidents Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter. I sang for International Chess Masters, Bobby Fisher and Borris Spasky. I sang with the accompaniment of the world famous pianist, Van Cliburn. I sang under the baton of a veteran Boy’s Choir conductor, Leo Reinier, Engracio Tempongko and world renowned Nancy Kwan. I sang for the then President Ferdinand Marcos and sang with her First Lady, Imelda Marcos, in her private music room in the Malacañan Palace. And so I sang for different foreign and local dignitaries and even dined with them after every performance. I was then a young 11-year old boy.
I love music. At age ten, I was introduced to the world of music – classical music. I became a member of The Las Piñas Boy’s Choir. And it won in the National Choir Competition for some years. This gave me the privilege to perform for different dignitaries both local and foreign.
I love art too. I think I was born an artist, because for as long as I can remember, I am scribbling and doodling and didn’t tire of it. I remember when I was a young boy and my grandfather used to tell me about his adventures when he was working as a soil specialist and he has to travel all over the islands. I do not only listen to his storytelling, I imagine I am with him in his rendezvous. And afterwards I made a comic book of his collection of stories. I drew his stories, frame by frame with every detail in it. And he’d fancy it and my grandmother loves it too. My father himself encouraged me into being an artist too. It may seem that I cannot wait to become an artist as I set my mind into becoming one. I actually took up elementary and high school education as a pre-requisite for my Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in college.
Then I worked in the graphic design field and later on I found myself connecting with my first love – painting. Then there is this account I am workin on that requires Spanish materials for their calendar. Because they are a Spanish company here in the country, they wanted to relate our Spanish heritage with their company and their services. I then pursued research works and found an art collector of Old Masters. He collects obras of Juan Luna, Damian Domingo, Jose Honorato Lozano, Felix Hidalgo, etc. Old masters from the past Spanish era. For my project, I am supposed to feature the works of Domingo, Lozano and Asuncion. Then it came that I have to see the actual works of these masters and choose which to feature in the calendar. I was dumbfounded. Tears welled in my eyes as I stare at the obras before me. I can almost feel the strokes, the emotions, the struggles, joys and satisfaction of the artists as they paint their masterpieces.
Then it dawned on me - all the beauty, the perfection of the blending of musical harmonies as well as the harmony of the colors and compositions of obra maestras are only but a reflection of the perfect beauty of God. All the beauty the world has to offer are but His reflections – of His infinite beauty and goodness. And I reckon I am blessed to have a glimpse of Him. All the privileges of meeting important people, and witnessing the immortal masterpieces of masters and the talents given me are nothing when compared to the joy of realizing that I am closer to God when I am experiencing all His goodness. For it is like I am a child seated on my father’s lap while he pampers me with love and gifts. A love that envelops my being is incomparable to all the reflections of His beauty on earth.
I love art and music. Two fantastic God-given talents that I really thank my Maker for. And to Him I give back all the glory!
I love music. At age ten, I was introduced to the world of music – classical music. I became a member of The Las Piñas Boy’s Choir. And it won in the National Choir Competition for some years. This gave me the privilege to perform for different dignitaries both local and foreign.
I love art too. I think I was born an artist, because for as long as I can remember, I am scribbling and doodling and didn’t tire of it. I remember when I was a young boy and my grandfather used to tell me about his adventures when he was working as a soil specialist and he has to travel all over the islands. I do not only listen to his storytelling, I imagine I am with him in his rendezvous. And afterwards I made a comic book of his collection of stories. I drew his stories, frame by frame with every detail in it. And he’d fancy it and my grandmother loves it too. My father himself encouraged me into being an artist too. It may seem that I cannot wait to become an artist as I set my mind into becoming one. I actually took up elementary and high school education as a pre-requisite for my Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in college.
Then I worked in the graphic design field and later on I found myself connecting with my first love – painting. Then there is this account I am workin on that requires Spanish materials for their calendar. Because they are a Spanish company here in the country, they wanted to relate our Spanish heritage with their company and their services. I then pursued research works and found an art collector of Old Masters. He collects obras of Juan Luna, Damian Domingo, Jose Honorato Lozano, Felix Hidalgo, etc. Old masters from the past Spanish era. For my project, I am supposed to feature the works of Domingo, Lozano and Asuncion. Then it came that I have to see the actual works of these masters and choose which to feature in the calendar. I was dumbfounded. Tears welled in my eyes as I stare at the obras before me. I can almost feel the strokes, the emotions, the struggles, joys and satisfaction of the artists as they paint their masterpieces.
Then it dawned on me - all the beauty, the perfection of the blending of musical harmonies as well as the harmony of the colors and compositions of obra maestras are only but a reflection of the perfect beauty of God. All the beauty the world has to offer are but His reflections – of His infinite beauty and goodness. And I reckon I am blessed to have a glimpse of Him. All the privileges of meeting important people, and witnessing the immortal masterpieces of masters and the talents given me are nothing when compared to the joy of realizing that I am closer to God when I am experiencing all His goodness. For it is like I am a child seated on my father’s lap while he pampers me with love and gifts. A love that envelops my being is incomparable to all the reflections of His beauty on earth.
I love art and music. Two fantastic God-given talents that I really thank my Maker for. And to Him I give back all the glory!
