Abiba, Sugbuanon!

As 2013 is about to end, being grateful and hopeful is in my heart. I am grateful to Mrs. Julie Go Ko for inviting me to an evening that overflowed with classical and Cebuano music last Dec. 21, 2013 at the Social Hall, Legislative Building of the Cebu City Hall. This was in the spirit of giving thanks to all Cebuanos who have showed the Bayanihan spirit to the victims of two major disasters that ravaged our beloved country: the 7.2-magnitude earthquake and the supertyphoon Yolanda. For our affected brothers and sisters, it would seem intolerable but with the help of the Cebuanos, everything would be endurable. 

Entitled "Abiba, Sugbuanon! A Thanksgiving Concert for the Cebuano's Bayanihan Spirit". Abiba means cheer, applaud or praise. It is a shout of encouragement, praise or joy. It shows cheerfulness, optimism or confidence. It is indeed praising the Cebuanos for their help to the victims of the calamities. Thanking for their concerted efforts in bringing about hope to our brothers whose moving on is unhurried and unbearable if experienced singlehandedly. 

It featured the Cebu Philharmonic Orchestra.  Cebu's promising orchestra that sails inter-island and hopefully global in the future as it educates the locals and the world not only for the love of classical music but as well as sharing to the society the passion of Cebuano musicians. This is the group's contribution through music to the Cebuano community. It likewise featured Cebuano artists Gerry Gonzales, the current principal cellist of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, Kelie Go Ko, a high baritone and Brian Cimafranca, a violinist and the concertmaster. The conductor was Reynaldo Abellana.

An audience of around a hundred made the affair very intimate. But I know the message of gratefulness goes to all benevolent Cebuanos who went out of their way to help regardless of their social, religious and political affiliations.

Kelie Go Ko's rendition of Nitoy Gonzales' immortal classic Usahay, accompanied by the Cebu Philharmonic Orchestra, was outstandingly nostalgic and one that would make you and me proud of being a Cebuano. The rest of the songs and music played were in English, Spanish and from other foreign pieces. Kasadya Ning Taknaa, composed in 1933 by Vicente Rubi with lyrics by Mariano Vestil, was the finale for the community singing.

With optimism, my hope is for the Cebu Philharmonic Orchestra to continue to train and produce more of our young musically-inclined Cebuanos. Support from generous stakeholders is very much appreciated and the acceptance of the rest of the Cebuanos is favorably sought.

We Cebuanos find solace and joy in music. There is something-a spirit that binds us to achieve a common goal. I am grateful for the Cebuano arts and culture-and the Cebuano artists for finding and rekindling the soul of our inimitable identity.

Though amid the calamities, we still stand united as a people and as a race. It was indeed a wonderful way of ending the year as it brings hope to others who have been battered by calamities. And for us, very fortunate to have been spared by the calamities shall find the whole experience uplifting knowing that our concerted efforts have helped others.  

It is in falling that we realize there are ready hands willing to catch. And our hearts would be generous enough with gestures and words of thanks. For it is in being grateful that we humbly recognize our imperfections and value the importance of others.

As the new year quickly approaches, my thanks go to the people who have been instrumental in my life. The list is long and they know who they are. They are the very mortals who make my journey meaningful.   

May the year 2014 bring us so much hope, prosperity, peace and love. It is a wonderful way to conclude a year with a heart full of thanks and hope.

Abiba to the grateful and hopeful hearts!