Monday, November 26, 2007 Costanilla: Hana: propagation of Cebuano music By Sam Costanilla Spotlight
IT is truly heartwarming to note that despite their being based in other countries, some Cebuanos continue to work for the development and propagation of Cebuano music by helping local musicians and performers.
We should commend these overseas Cebuanos for their unending appreciation for and love of music because they in effect inspire our talents here to continue honing their skill. One such overseas Cebuano is Ester Hana, a concert pianist from Dalaguete, a municipality in southern Cebu. She is actually the rime mover (read: heart and soul) of the six-year-old Dalaguete Music Foundation.
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HANA is enjoying the full backing of other concerned Cebuanos in Chicago like Danny Buenconsejo and Clemente Yanong in staging fund-raising concerts there. I gathered that the proceeds of their shows are used to sustain the DMF’s noble projects, like the Dalaguete Orchestra, the Dalaguete Marching Band, and the Dalaguete Children’s Rondalla. A fourth project is a charity house called Dangpanan somewhere in Pardo, Cebu City, where orphans are being cared for and where poor but deserving pupils are availing of a scholarship program.
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NOT only that. Hana eventually organized the Amihan Club of America whose main aim is to promote, support and develop Cebuano musical heritage in the US. In fact, she is planning to produce an album of classical Cebuano love songs to be released in the US and in the Philippines. The album will feature the very talented Giga, a 20-year-old pianist and saxophonist, the son of Clemente and Regina Yanong who are presently residing in North LaCroffe Avenue in Chicago, Illinois. Giga studied music, acting and performing arts at Columbia College in that state.
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BUT what makes this album project more exciting is the fact that local composer-arranger Doy Montana will be its musical director. He told me that some of his own compositions will be included in the album and that he will be applying some international style in arranging the selections but retaining the Cebuano musical feel. And if plans push through, Giga and Doy will stage a special concert right here in Cebu in February next year. This is a must-see presentation for all of us.
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BERNARD Pino, the Elvis Presley of Michigan and Cebu, will wow the crowd in Daanbantayan on Thursday, Nov. 29, during the evening mass oath-taking of the town’s newly elected barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan officials. I’m sure the Daanbantayanons will be truly delighted by Bernard’s Las Vegas-style performance. He will be in complete Presley getup, including the trademark sideburns and gyrations onstage. It will also be his maiden show in that particular town. Yours truly will emcee the event. By the way, Bernard is open to singing invitations. Presley fans may call or text this writer for bookings.
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THREE notorious radiomen are being banned from joining a local drama talents’ club. Some of its officers have threatened to bolt the group should the three are admitted as members. (samcost@yahoo.com or call or 09268443888).
