“CUERDAS sang Paghiliusa”/Plucked String Music Festival will be hosted by Silay City on November 4 to 10, 2018.
This “Strings of Unity Festival” was initiated in 2004 by the National Music Committee of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCAA).
Mayor Mark Golez signed the memorandum of agreement with Philippine National Artist for Music Ramon Santos on February 21, 2018, at the Senator Jose C. Locsin Cultural and Civic Center.
That was the green light for everybody involved to make themselves engrossed on the specific tasks. Different committees were created with Mayor Mark Golez and lawyer Ryan Montoro (city administrator) on top of the herculean undertaking. Aurea Brigino, the managing director, is coordinating in all activities in Silay.
Achilles Corteza and Gerle Sulmaca were assigned as over-all coordinators. Yours truly was assigned to the Promotions Committee.
The Asenso Silay Foundation members under President Dolores Lopez has been requested also to extend their assistance in committees needing their expertise. Dr. Cecilia de la Paz, professor of Art Studies of UP Diliman conducted interviews with Sir Modesto Sao-noy and me on the sugar industry and hacienda life.
Ramon Hofilena was also asked about Silay culture and the lifestyle of the Silaynons. Dr. de la Paz identified the Puericulture Center (being renovated now) to be the best venue for the exhibition.
A cultural workshop is scheduled to start today until April 28 to be attended by the tourism staff, teachers and cultural workers who will take part in the research for the exhibition. Dr. Monica Santos, a professor of Anthropology in University of the Philippines-Diliman is the conference director. The civic center will be the conference venue.
Karen Capino, a Venice Biennale promotions manager for the Philippines, conducted interviews and made familiarization tour in the city. She has reached as far as Hda. Adela Folklore Village to have a firsthand information on the life of the “dumaans” and the “sacadas.” Her group even met the “serohana” and the San Roque chanter.
Arnelio Manzano, the technical director of the Cultural Center of the Philippines Outreach Program, was in Silay on March 20 to 21 to check the concert venues and some coliseums outside Silay for the outreaches.
He identified sound and lighting requirements for San Carlos City, Calatrava, and Escalante City. Suggestions on site design and enhancement were given during the ocular inspection and meetings.
Ricardo Eric Cruz, the production designer of CCP, and Achilles Corteza III visited the venues, streets, plaza, and many strategic parts of Silay and came up with an initial design proposal.
It was unanimously suggested that Ma’am Tess Golez will handle the Food Committee considering her major role in big events for Silay in Negros Trade Fair and Kaon Ta Festival.
During the initial meeting, some committees were created and names were mentioned to head a specific committee: Accommodation, Gerle Sulmaca; Transportation, Andrew Javelona; Conference, Dayanara Osorio; Exhibit, Pacita Caile; Outreach, Wilma Larrazabal.
Other committees were also created (and the chairman will be announced soon) – Audience Mobilization, Site Design, Stage Management, Front of House, Security, Health and Welfare, Documentation, Welcoming, Trade Fair, Tour, Silay Night, Information and Guest Relations.
“Cuerdas sang Paghiliusa” shall feature concerts, outreach performances, international conference and workshops, an exhibition on rondalla and Silay music heritage, and the plucked music tradition of the world, and other important activities that promote a deeper understanding and appreciation of a shared musical heritage. We are all there to promote global peace and unity through music.
All venues provide a free entrance. Other than the International Rondalla Festival, November 4 to 10 activities in Silay feature also Cinco de Noviembre Commemoration (November 5), Kaon Ta Festival at Balay Negrense (target date: November 4 to 5), and other socio-religious-cultural events for San Diego de Alcala Fiesta (patron saint of Silay) on November 13.
For the residents of Silay City and the people of Negros Occidental, this “Cuerdas sang Paghiliusa” is another big tourism experience in the “Land of Sweet Surprises” and in “the seat of arts and culture.” Experience Silay and Negros! Experience best music!