CEBU, Philippines - Jovianney put in his two cents regarding the current state of arts and culture in the country. He claimed to be a believer of pop culture, but being a purist classical musician, he wishes that our society finds a balance.
He stressed that Filipino music is “not Gary V. or Martin. Filipino music is San Pedro, Buenaventura, Pena” and that there has to be something to create equilibrium between pop and classical music. He cites New York, Paris, Vienna and London as having found that equilibrium. Since all music (pop, jazz, rap, among others) all stemmed from classical music, he thinks it a waste if both Filipino musicians and audiences do not get exposed to classical music.
“I would hope and pray that the Philippines would be more appreciative of classical music because Filipinos are naturally musically talented. And it is really the root of all music. For example, without opera, there wouldn’t be rap music,” he said, adding that in his experience so far in Cebu, classical music is appreciated here.
“It’s good for society to know where the current music really comes from because it defines one’s identity and culture. I think it’s very crucial that Filipinos should support more of the arts, not specifically classical music, but arts in general because it defines our image.”
He is aware that people say his genre is too difficult to understand, but that if we try to dig its history, we’ll realize the genius behind it.
“If you really go deeply into the music and research it, it’s quite amazing to learn about the brains of composers and their culture, civilization, environment and political stance during their time. Their music reflects their situation at that time.
“It’s really an intelligent form of art because there were no computers and electricity before. They would write music, note for note, with a candle and a quill. For people like Mozart, Bach, Beethoven and all of these great composers, if they were able to come up with that kind of prolific output, it just goes to show the genius of people.”
As a parting shot, he once again reiterated the need to attain balance in our culture. The Maestro yearns for the day that the majority of our image as a country will not be stuck as politically chaotic or corrupt. He believes pushing the arts as one of the ways for the rest of the world to perceive a better Filipino image: one that is cultured, intellectual and educated. (FREEMANENTERTAIMENT)