Kawit in Cavite is most historic. It is the birthplace of the president of the First Philippine Republic, Emilio Aguinaldo.  What is now the Aguinaldo Shrine was where independence from Spain was declared on June 12, 1898.

Founded in 1587, 16 years after Miguel Lopez de Legazpi  occupied Manila, Kawit town is three centuries older than Chopin’s  “Andante Spianato et Grande Polonaise in E Flat Major, Op. 22,” and Liszt’s “Dante” sonata, which pianist Cecile Licad will play in La Covia Hall of Island Cove in  Barangay Binakayan in Kawit on March 25.

Located on the eastern side of Manila Bay, Kawit is a mere 10 minutes away from the Cultural Center of the Philippines complex because of the newly inaugurated Cavitex Highway.

The province itself boasts of several distinguished musicians. The composer of the National Anthem, Julian Felipe, hails from this province.  Born on Jan. 28, 1861, Felipe, like Nicanor Abelardo and Francisco Santiago, was a dedicated music teacher and composer and had served as director of the National Band of the First Philippine Republic.

Among Cavite’s distinguished performing artists are flutist Antonio Maigue, soprano Lani Misenas, conductor Rodel Colmenar.

To be sure, this is not Licad’s first performance in Cavite. She performed for the first time in this province in 2010 in a school in Noveleta, Cavite, under the auspices of  lawyer Rey Laserna, who later  said that, weeks after Licad’s performance in 2010, music lovers in Cavite still talked about her electrifying performance in Noveleta.

Licad’s Island Cove performance is at 5 p.m.

The complete program:  Chopin’s Polonaise-Fantaisie in A-Flat Major, Op. 61; Three Mazurkas, Op.56. Andante Spianato et Grande Polonaise Brillante in E-Flat Major, Op. 22; and Liszt’s Miserere du “Trovatore” de Verdi Paraphrase de Concert, and Ap une Lecture de Dante: Fantasia quasi Sonata.

Licad will also be heard at Holy Angel University on March 22, 7:30 p.m.; and at Cebu Marco Polo Plaza Hotel on March 27.

Call 7484152 or 0906-5104270.