The Kabayaos, part 2: A family of musical genuises
I’ve always liked classical music. I don’t care much for the conciertos, majors in key and what-nots, but I love experiencing the classics. It’s like having the Master’s Touch invade the rest of my soul, to bring healing and inspiration. That’s how I felt when I heard the Kabayao family perform, they bring life to the melody of a classical piece.
The father, Gilopez Kabayao is the grandson of Philippine musician and composer Gil Lopez, and along with his siblings were exposed to classical music at a very young age. At age 20, dad Gilopez was celebrated as “among the finest of the young virtuosos in music” when he gave a recital at the Carnegie Hall in New York. Although music-schooled in Paris and the United States, Gilopez and his siblings went back to their province in Negros Occidental and began performing in the tiny villages, barrios and farmlands, asking only five pesos for admission.
Whether it was a stage, a basketball court or a mere cockpit, Gilopez and his siblings performed for the villagers, and they were surprised to see an obvious appreciation for fine music from the simple country folk. The Kabayaos had proven that classical music was for everyone, regardless of stature, upbringing or culture, and in the next few years they would continue to share their legacy to the Filipino people.
For all his prestige and excellence and though he leads the “orchestra”, Gilopez is only one part of this family of geniuses:
Mom Corazon , hailed as one of the country’s finest pianist, is the family’s business manager for the family’s musical and family enterprises, and musical arranger for her family of violinists. There is also none who can accompany him at the piano better than her, as only she can match his love and passion for music.
Their three children are as accomplished and gifted as the parents. They started learning the piano at age 2! And since she was three years old, Sicielienne has been accompanying her father at the violin, having won the National Music Competition for Young Artist for voice and violin when she was only ten. Farida is the family’s theater and arts performer who’s done “powerful characterizations” and displayed passion in her roles as Anne Frank in the Diary of Anne Frank, Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady, Anne Sullivan in the Miracle Worker and a host of other plays. Following in her sister’s footsteps, at twelve years old she too won the National Music Competition for Young Artists (NAMCYA) in Violin Category. Only son Gilberto is talented in music like the rest but also expanded his “repertoire” of talents in sports, winning basketball, chess, swimming and track tournaments.
Together, the Kabayaos help elevate music to something spiritual, much like the Master’s Touch to that bring healing for the soul.
[Profile source: The News Today]
Tags: Carnegie Hall, classical music, Kabayao family, National Music Competition for Young Artists, Philippines, Piano, Violin
7 Comments
Filipina Soul, i have never listened to music from Filipinos. But i might of heard it. There is so much great music out there if you can find. I will listen to classic music from Pilipino. To me i like all music from all countries. Long as it has classic and symphany orchestras playing i will listen to it.
My 13 year old son Brent, is a budding violinist and would like to purchase violin music sheets of the songs featured in KABAYAO. He enjoyed listening to the KABAYAO music and would like to try play it himself. I would very much appreciate if somebody can direct me to this process. Thank you very much!
I am a grade school teacher and library science graduate from Philippine Normal University, a friend of mine had told me that the Kabayao’s Musical Arrangement of “Bahay Kubo” for violin is different from the the other arrangement of the said song title “Bahay Kubo” from the other arranger. I wish to have a copy of the arrangement for my file as my collections. I would appreciate if you can send me a copy of it. Thank you and God Bless.
Miss Lucille Abuton
Hi,
My two daughters Katrina and Isabel plays violin. I want them to learn play Philippine Folk Song with the Kabayao’s arrangement.
Could we have a copy of this arrangement. I would appreciate if you can let me know how much will it cost me to send it here at New Zealand.
Eddie
hi Eduardo, unfortunately I have no contact with the Kabayaos anymore. It’s been years since I saw them.
its so great when you perform at the stage in Universidad DE Sta. Isabel i appreciate that and treasure that ….I hope you will come back …god bless and don’t forget to thank God….
Regards,
=)
Florevi
Hi,
I just read Ms. Lucille Abuton’s comment and I’m delighted of what I’ve read about the Kabayaos. I’m a librarian also and author of the Directory of Licensed Librarians in the Philippines and want to get in touch with Lucille for her updates. Would you mind furnishing me her email address? Thank you very much and God bless.
R. Dante O. Perez