JRG Halad Museum presents "Awit ni Dodong"

CEBU, Philippines - It's the same inspiration that prompted the formation of the University of the Visayas Chorale and the JRG Visayanian Orchestra, and the establishment of the JRG Halad Museum and the VIP  Conservatory of Music. It's a passion to preserve and promote the rich Cebuano musical heritage, a passion so intense that it approaches almost religious proportions.

And now, yet another move forward - a musical radio program that aims to perpetuate Cebuano culture, values, customs and traditions expressed in the timeless songs composed by homegrown musical geniuses like Ben Zubiri, Manê Cabase, Maestro Mil Villareal, Minggoy Lopez and many others. Starting May 2, JRG Halad Museum presents a one-hour nightly radio show titled "Awit ni Dodong," airing Mondays through Saturdays over DYKI Smooth FM 89.9 Mhz - from 9 to 10 p.m.

JRG Halad Museum founder Jose "Dodong" Gullas says, "I find it urgent to temper the influx of foreign music into the local popular culture." He adds that he hopes the radio program will at least educate "the young generation of our own musical treasures" and mitigate the erosion of the precious Cebuano cultural identity. 

The JRG Halad Museum is the only musical-themed museum in the country today. It is open from Monday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Inquiries may be directed to phone number 268 2579. The website is at www.jrghaladmuseum.com.)

"Awit ni Dodong" is actually a musical piece composed by the late Maestro Mil Villareal, with lyrics by Leo Lastimosa. The choral arrangement is by Arnel de Pano and orchestration by Reynaldo Abellana. The vocal rendition is by the internationally renowned University of the Visayas Chorale.

It is also the theme song of the JRG Halad Museum. As a radio show, "Awit ni Dodong" is intended to warm the Cebuano soul via a nostalgic musical experience. The one hour radio program is a tribute to all Cebuano composers, lyricists, and other musical artists whose works aptly depict the local life experience of their respective eras. By highlighting their music it is hoped that these Cebuano music masters will get their due recognition in the collective public mind and their contribution to the Cebuano musical art appreciated and remembered. (FREEMAN)