TURNING towards my back, the scene took me by surprise -- the ballroom was filled, all seats were taken. In fact, more were hurriedly brought in to accommodate the eager spectators who still came flowing in to catch this concert of the season.
Katakataka?
Where have I been? Little did I notice how Davao has indeed grown in so many wonderful ways. I am not pertaining to growth of the population evident in the high number of pedestrians or throngs of vehicles on our streets causing heavy traffic. The Manila scene looms in the horizon! Right, it's progress.
Something good comes as well. With the rising population, this bustling metropolis has bred more people who are appreciative of the arts. Hopefully, turn into advocates of the arts. A new breed that will keep the torch burning, lit up by the generation before them.
In the few cultural functions that I have been to in the past, it was the mature set who are loyal to the arts. The list hasn't changed much. Or has it?
Indeed, the scene has changed. The passion for the arts and culture has crossed over to more individuals of the younger generation. All the misconception on these subjects is finally being dispelled. Art is very much closer and highly accessible to everyone more than ever- real time and in cyberspace.
For the advocates, they took the mountain to Mohammed to prove their point. The ballet and the symphony are in the malls and the visual arts are exhibited in high pedestrian traffic spots, areas you wouldn't have thought can elevate cultural enrichment.
Since the refurbishment of the Davao Museum, it has been more active in its hosting and production of exhibits and shows. In their most recent project, they put music on the forefront once more with Musika Museo.
This show is different, a wonderful discovery of sorts. The younger set was as eager as the generations before them to catch this classical music staging. It gives us pride to catch sight of an audience from a wide age range supporting, applauding loving a cultural performance such as this.
Even making every Dabawenyo prouder is the presence of one of our very own artist on stage, classical pianist Daphne Jocson who has found her way back to her passion, with the country's most respected and talented musicians- Mary Anne Espina, a pianist known for her excellence in chamber music and one of the most sought after collaborative artist in the country today working with outstanding local and international musicians; soprano Nenen Espina, soloist, stage actress has been reaping rave reviews in the concert and opera scene after debuting at 17 as a soloist of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra Concert Series at the CCP; and distinguished violinist Gina Medina who has gained a vital seat in the country's classical music circle as a soloist or as chamber performer. Women of talent and success, all hailing from St. Scholastica's College in Manila. In their own rights, have carved their names in the world of classical music in our country.
The classic notes of Mozart, Chopin, Pergolesi, Bellini and Sandoval, of Piazolla and Rachmaninoff, Filipino best Vallejo, Abelardo, Consolacion and Suarez were turned into music. It captivated everyone as the musician's fingers flew over the ebony and ivory keys of the piano, as the bow glided on the strings of the violin and as the lips oozed with an enchanting voice. The impressive repertoire of sonatas, suites and pieces clearly highlighted the musical versatility of these female talents.
The more familiar music of the Filipiniana surely put a smile on everyone's faces. More especially when the upbeat tunes of Alejandro Consolacion II's "Sampung Mga Daliri" and Santiago Suarez's "Katakataka" came into play.
A truly wonderful evening and a brilliant performance from an all women ensemble that deserves no less than a standing ovation. With efforts to promote arts and culture and produce a musical show like this, it wouldn't be katakataka if Davao Museum gives birth to more patrons of the arts.