The island millennials dominated the well-received concert of classical guitarists Aaron Aguila III and Sting Asistores at Regina Hall of Kemji Resort on May 12 in Virac, Catanduanes.
After being mesmerized by De Falla’s “Danza del Molinero” rendered by Aguila, the audience couldn’t help singing with the classical guitarist in his performance of Constancio de Guzman’s “Bayan Ko.”
Aguila and Asistores ended the program with a poignant rendition of Ernani Cuenco’s “Nahan,” after which the audience clamored for an encore.
A Beatles number dedicated to the birthday celebrators in the audience—music-lover Manette Arcilla and Dr. Aida Dianela—drastically changed the mood of the concert with audience members yelling and screaming, thus transforming the classical mood of the festival event into a rock concert.
It was also a night of remembrances as the author—who founded the yearly music festival—dedicated Tarrega’s “Recuerdos de la Alhambra” to the island icons: the late island music teacher Gregorio Sarmiento, poet Jose Tablizo, writer-journalist Benny Bagadiong and island doctor Antonio Zantua.
The concert was made possible with support from the office of the provincial governor under Gov. Joseph Cua, Catanduanes Tribune, and Kemji Resort and Restaurant.
The festival ends on June 16 with a closing concert by soprano Stefanie Quintin and classical guitarist Anton Luis Avila.
Among those who had been warmly received by island audiences were soprano Luz Morete, who opened the festival in 1992; tenor Gary del Rosario; violinists Joseph Esmilla and Donnie Fernandez; classical guitarists Lester Demetillo, Ramoncito Carpio and Iyo Enginco; flutists Tony Maigue and Raymond Sarreal; pianists Reynaldo Reyes, Ingrid Sala Santamaria, Najib Ismail and Mary Anne Espina; Mark Carpio; Lourdes de Leon; cellist Victor Michael Coo; baritone Noel Azcona; tenor Gary del Rosario; Zenas Reyes Lozada; National Artist Lucrecia Kasilag; Romania’s violin superstar Alexandro Tomescu.
Before the June 16 concert, a special lecture will be delivered by former Tourism Secretary and 1964 Miss International Gemma Cruz-Araneta at Catanduanes State University auditorium on the same day. —CONTRIBUTED
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