Our recent weekend in a remote cove in Bagac, Bataan, gave us a chance to enjoy a breakfast buffet al fresco. Our breakfast served on bamboo tables against a backdrop of scenic rice field and verdant hills was enhanced in this serene setting by the cool morning breeze and the music from a speaker system—a collection of Sylvia La Torre songs, starting with Sa Kabukiran.
It was the perfect song for this bucolic location. The performance and the song so lighthearted that they seemed to release the endorphins in my body.
Sylvia La Torre passed away Dec. 1, 2022, not very long ago, yet her name and memory remain synonymous with classic Philippine music. She is worthy of the National Artist Award, and so does the late Armida Siguion-Reyna, who through her TV show Aawitan Kita, brought the kundiman and the traditional Filipino songs to the ’80s generation. When that show ended its long run it was as if the music died with it.
Fortunately, a group of talented performers won’t let that happen. These five artists comprise Tribu, which is staging its first concert in three years. Dubbed Klasical, the show is being produced by the Ephesus Teatron Group to commemorate the 125th anniversary of Philippine Independence. The concert is on June 10, 7:30 p.m., at Onstage Theater, Greenbelt, Makati.
Tribu has been championing classical music for years now. Presenting its concert just two days before Independence Day was the perfect way to showcase Philippine music, timeless favorites such as Mutya ng Pasig, Nasaan Ka Irog, Bituing Marikit, Gaano Ko Ikaw Kamahal, and a medley of folk songs. They’ll also perform arias and opera pieces such as O Mio Babbino Caro and Canto Pariotico De Maria Clara.
The performers of Tribu are sopranos Sweet Samaniego Buchanan and Marga Roco, tenor Terence Guillermo, baritone Onyl Torres, and tenor Nazer Salcedo. All five of them are classical music stalwarts who have also headlined the musical stage productions of Repertory Philippines and Dulaang UP.
Tribu with musical director Pipo Cifra: seated, from left, Marga Roco, Cifra, and Sweet Samanego Buchanan who is also directing the show; standing, from left: Onyl Torres, Terence Guillermo, Nazer Salcedo
Sweet Buchanan, president and artistic director of Ephesus Teatron Group, is directing Klasical. She says the show won’t be just a straightforward concert. “There is going to be a story, similar to what they did in Aawitan Kita,” she said. “It is a musical show about love, heartbreak, the Filipino culture of courtship and serenading, and the poetic expression of love for country and history.”
The members of Tribu performed a few excerpts from Klasical during its media launch. What they presented were playful renditions of popular Filipino folk tunes that should entertain even the younger people. Acclaimed musical director Pipo Cifra did the musical arrangements, fusing the traditional local sound with that of the western style. He explained: “The inspiration of this collection is to preserve national culture through these Filipino songs and to achieve new vigor by presenting them in a new arrangement that has universal appeal.”
Cifra, who wrote the song score of the musical Katips, is confident that this move won’t offend purists. Any changes he made weren’t radical. Each piece retains its original character. He also promised that audiences won’t be hearing rap in the concert. For instance, Bahay Kubo is given a cheerful Christmas-y arrangement while remaining the popular song of our childhood.
“I did consult with my music professor, Prof. Hemernigildo H. Ranera, at the UST Conservatory. I asked him it was alright to make some changes to the songs. He said it was fine, for as long as I don’t ruin them,” said Cifra.
Cifra also made sure the members of Tribu won’t have difficulty performing the new arrangements. Sweet Samaniego Buchanan said she loves what Cifra did to the songs. She requested one change though. “I told Pipo to not to make the tempos too fast. We’re not as young anymore. Our stamina isn’t what isn’t what it used to be,” she said with a laugh.
The excerpts they did for the press showed that the Tribu performers still have the vitality to sing out like there’s no tomorrow. Their bubbly interpretation of Calesa alone should be worth the price of admission.
Tribu does a teaser of a medley of popular Filipino folk songs.
Tribu recorded a CD containing most of the songs in Klasical. If properly marketed the album should make traditional Philippine music popular again.
