Ready for FILharmoniKA's season

Just got the news that FILharmoniKA is embarking on its own symphonic season at the PhilAm Life Theater this year. I hope that means a whole season, meaning a series of performances in the same place with a chosen theme for a certain period. I am glad because much as I love music, it is often difficult going to the Cultural Center because of the horrendous traffic getting to Pasay from home or the workplace.

But FILharmoniKA, a Filipino professional orchestra, will be at the PhilAm Life. That is great. Still far, but closer to home than the CCP and until somebody decides to build a great cultural center in Quezon City, will have to be the alternative concert place for fans of classical music. But of course, the main draw here is the talented FILharmoniKA. The orchestra is young and very dynamic and with artistic director and chief conductor Gerard Salonga at the helm, able to dish out the music of Stravinsky and Mike Hanopol with equal passion.

As everybody knows, Gerard is Lea Salonga’s kid brother. He was the boy who went to music lessons because his sister had to go. The Berklee-trained Salonga has since then made music his career. Why, he even married a musician, violinist Divina Francisco. He made his conducting debut at 23 with Repertory Philippines’ production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Carousel and despite his young age has really gone places. That includes stints as guest conductor of symphony orchestras in Hong Kong, Bangkok and Seoul for important events.

Hereabouts, Gerard has spearheaded the production of recordings of great Filipino works by Lucio San Pedro, Angel Peña and others with the Musika Natin series. He continues to conduct musicals like Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd, classical pieces like Stravinsky’s Dumbarton Oaks Concerto for Chamber Orchestra and pop concerts like Lea’s recent Your Songs.

He has provided music for films, as in the award-winning score of the animated Dayo, television, like the theme for Kung Tayo’y Magkakalayo and in the award-winning station ID for The Filipino Channel, plus other media. But the FILharmoniKA concert performances remain his priority and with its first season now in the offing, Gerard is definitely set for greater achievements with the orchestra.

FILharmoniKA has already lined up the program for its first season. Among those scheduled are cellist Richard Bamping on April 17 for Dvorak’s Cello Concerto and pianist Cecile Licad on July 2 and 3 for Gershwin’s Piano Concerto. Watch out for more announcements.

FAQs on Filscap tilt

To those who asked, here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about the ongoing Filscap Songwriting Competition.

Can Filipinos living abroad join the contest? Technically, no. The rule says only residents of the Philippines are qualified. But there is a way to go around this if you maintain a home here while living elsewhere. Just put your Philippine address in the application. Make sure though that you are not a member of a foreign collecting society like ASCAP or BMI and you have funds for the airfare home if you make it to the finals.

Is recording quality important? No. A home recording will do. The entry can be recorded with only a guitar, piano or any other instrument, actually even sung a cappella. Just make sure the melody and lyrics are heard clearly.

Is there a category for religious songs? None. A good song will effectively put its message across no matter what the beat. This means, entries with a religious theme can rap, rock, dance or pretty much do anything. It is all in the lyrics.

Is there a chance deadline for submission can be extended? None as far as I know because processing of travel papers of the winner for Australia takes time.

But why think of the deadline? Put your entry together and send it to Filscap now. For all you know you might be the winner who will be processing his papers after the finals on May.

Entries can be sent via MP3 through the Filscap songwriting website, [email protected] or sent to the Filscap office at 140 Scout Rallos St. Barangay Sacred Heart, Quezon City. Deadline is Feb. 15.