Iskwelahang Pilipino Rondalla of Boston Wins the Hearts of Calgarians
The officers and members of the Iskwelahang Pilipino (IP) Rondalla of Boston, the Philippine Consulate General in Calgary, and the Philippine Cultural Center Foundation after the IP Rondalla’s successful concert in Calgary’s Marlborough Park Community Centre. (Calagary PCG photo)
CALGARY 09 August 2018 – The City of Calgary has become the latest witness to the virtuoso performance of Iskwelahang Pilipino (IP) Rondalla of Boston.
On the first stop of its four-city “Reveries and Rhythms 2018” tour of Canada, the IP Rondalla dazzled Calgarians with its beautiful rendition of Filipino folk songs, Philippine contemporary music, original Filipino-American compositions, and American contemporary music—all performed on bandurias and octavinas (mandolins), guitars and a double bass—at the Marlborough Park Community Centre in Northeast Calgary on 01 August 2018.
The free IP Rondalla concert in Calgary was made possible through the joint efforts of the Philippine Consulate General in Calgary and the Philippine Cultural Center Foundation (PCCF).
The PCCF Sinag Kultura Performing Arts Group and IP Rondalla also had a joint performance during the show.
In his welcome remarks, Consul General in Calgary Gilberto G.B. Asuque attributed the Spanish influence in the spread of rondalla music in the Philippines, which has now become part of the rich Filipino culture.
Explaining that “ronda” is a Spanish word for “serenade,” Consul General Asuque said that the IP Rondalla concert was a way of crooning the Calgarians with Filipino music.
PCCF President Fred Molina noted that it shared common advocacies with IP in spreading Filipino language and culture, as he urged the Filipino-Canadians to get their children and grandchildren more involved in community events.
Among those who graced the concert were Alberta Minister of Culture and Tourism Ricardo Miranda, and Japanese Consul General Shigenobu Kobayashi.
University of the Philippines Alumni Association of Alberta officer Consuelo Munar was one of those who heaped praises for the IP Rondalla’s performance.
“A very talented group of musicians indeed. The performance last 01 August was exhilarating. The sweet beautiful sound of the rondalla filled and uplifted the soul,” Mr. Munar remarked.
Immigration consultant Fe Tolentino likened her experience to watching a “C$100-worth concert.”
The IP’s Rondalla arm was formed a decade after its founding in 1976 by a group of Filipino parents in Boston, Massachusetts, who came together to provide their children with an environment to learn about their Filipino heritage.
Under the initial instruction of classical guitarist Michael Dadap, the IP developed its own rondalla instructional program that eventually taught its cultural school’s students and some of their parents how to play rondalla instruments from the Philippines.
As its last activity in Calgary, IP Rondalla will partner with PCCF in conducting a music workshop at the PCCF office in Northeast Calgary on 03 August 2018.
From Calgary, IP Rondalla will continue their Canadian tour in Edmonton (06 August), Toronto (10 August) and Winnipeg (12 and 13 August).
More information about the upcoming concerts can be found from www.ipbahay.org. END
Philippine Cultural Center Foundation President Fred Molina (left) and Consul General in Calgary Gilberto G.B. Asuque deliver their welcome remarks. (Calgary PCG photo)
Japanese Consul Kohei Sakamoto, Deputy Consul General Zaldy Patron, Consul General Gilberto G.B. Asuque, Alberta Minister of Culture and Tourism Ricardo Miranda, Japanese Consul General Shigenobu Kobayashi, and Consul Pamela Durian-Bailon before the start of the concert. (Calgary PCG photo)
The IP Rondalla has brought its talents to a wide array of audiences across the United States, Europe and the Philippines and it has performed for several Philippine presidents. IP Rondalla came to Calgary for its first-ever performance in the city and it was enough to win the hearts of the Calgarians on 01 August 2018. (Calgary PCG photo)
For more information, visit www.calgarypcg.dfa.gov.ph.