SI MAESTRO Dennis Sugarol ang usa sa pinaka-aktibo nga musikero karon sa social media nunot ning nagkainit nga enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) sa nasud.
Ang iyang musika ug ang virtual collaboration niya sa ubang mga musikero dinhi ug abroad ang nagsilbing pangontra ug alibyo niya batok sa mga makalilisang nga balita sa Covid-19. Si Dennis usa ka lumad nga taga-Liloan ug nabantog nga magtutudlo ug piyanista sa iyang mga international-winning children’s choir, sama sa Mandaue Children and Youth Chorus, Children’s Paradise Montessori School Choir ug Southcrest Girls Choir.
Ang award-winning musician naka-perform na sa Canonization of San Pedro Calungsod sa St. Peter’s Square sa Vatican City, Rome, Italy nga gihulagway sa 43-anyos nga “biggest blessing” sa iyang career nga dili niya makalimtan sa tibuok niyang kinabuhi.
Maestro Dennis Gregory Arcelo Sugarol, Ssssuper Ka!
Unsa ni inyong gipangtukar?
With the ECQ, I take this chance to virtually connect with some friends from my music circle here and abroad to do some collaborations. Naka-composed kog mga bag-ong kanta, nakahimo kog song covers and instrumental interpretations of popular songs then posting it on social media as our way to entertain the public and uplift the spirit of our people in this time of crisis.
Can you mention some?
Theme from Schindler's List which I played the piano and my Italian friend / composer Alessio Benvenuti played the violin. Another one is an original composition entitled Words by a Belgian friend / conductor / composer David Anne of which he played the piano and I did the flute. Also, the music group I founded many years back, HUNI that is composed of young professionals, some are now based abroad, did a cover of Tom Fettki’s God and God Alone. I also did a flute and guitar cover of Side A’s Forevermore with a guitarist friend TJ Carvajal. And this is what I’m very much excited about - the new composition I will soon share to everyone. It is dedicated to all Cebuanos and to everyone across the globe as we brave Covid-19. It's a song of supplication and faith in our God. That amidst this crisis we are facing we have our God to trust and take refuge in. The title is “This We Ask Of You/ Unta Dunggon Mo.” It's a joint project with some friends like Nino James Bañares who did the lyrics, Robbie Bernadas as the vocalist, and TJ Carvajal for the guitar.
Pilay edad nimo nagsugod ka og tukar?
Mga 13 na ko ato, 1st year high school. I studied at the Yamaha School of Music under the tutelage of Rey Roa my Electone Organ Teacher. It was under his mentorship that I eventually started competing both here in Cebu and at the national level.
Kinsay nag-influence nimo sa music?
I would say it runs in the blood. Akong great grandfather, si Julian Longakit was a church organist, composer and inila pud to siya sa natad sa musika during Spanish time diri sa Cebu. Akong mama and family dakog influence nako as they all supported me all the way in my music. Si Monsignor Rudy Villanueva dako nga inspirasyon nako. Nagdaku ko sa iyang music sa simbahan as an organist and eventually na maestro nako siya. I was exposed to a lot of his musical works.
Do you have formal lessons as vocal arranger?
I had formal education in music sa college. Also, na-exposed ko sa choral music. Katong ni eskwela ko sa Asian Institute for Liturgy and Music sa Quezon City daghan higayon nga maka-arranged ko og choral pieces for the choirs I was part of.
Unsay imong kursong nahuman?
Took up Bachelor of Music (Major in Music Education) at the Colegio dela Inmaculada Concepcion College of Music. Went on for further studies in Choral Conducting at the Asian Institute for Liturgy and Music, Quezon City.
Unsay imong realization during this time of Covid-19 pandemic?
Lumalabay lang ang kinabuhi sa tawo. Ug kining tanan nga naa nato gikan sa Ginoo. Mag ampo kita kanunay nga maayo atong lawas ug mapasalamaton ngadto Kaniya. Dili mawad-an sa paglaum ug pagtuo. Find ways to help and inspire others specially those who need the most. Nakahatag sad ni nato og more time sa atong mga minahal sa kinabuhi.
Kinsay kauban nimo sa balay?
Ako mama kay mag-70 years old karong August then akong tatay is 73 years old. Also staying with us is my 98 years old lola, who’s my no. 1 fan. She always looks forward to my flute playing.
What do you miss about the outside world?
Freedom to be anywhere you wanna be. Anything you wanna do. I miss the food so much. Bucket shrimps, Pochero sa Kusina Uno, Barbeque sa Matias, seafood sa Paulitos STK Ta Bai, moadto og dagat, ug mo-enjoy once more sa beautiful ambiance and view from Tops.
Sige pa gihapon ang imong school of music?
Yes, naa tay duha ka branches sa Dennis Muzikhaus Studio, ang usa naa sa North Road Plaza sa main road sa Labogon, Mandaue ug naa pud sa Liloan.
After this ECQ, what is the first thing that you would like to do?
Mosyagit og kusog ug magpasalamat sa Ginoo! Maka- meet up na at last with my choirs. Mingaw nako nila tanan. After sa ECQ puwede na ta maka-start og summer music lessons sa Dennis Muzikhaus Studio. Naa tay voice, violin, guitar, drums, and piano. Pwede ra mo contact sa 513-1114 / 0956-278-2706.