Chino’s desperate need of sponsorship in Munich

This appeal may interest the NCCA through Chairman Ambeth Ocampo and Executive Director Cecile G. Alvarez, the Makati Business Club through Guillermo Luz, and any other group or individual who can assist violin prodigy-virtuoso and math wizard Joaquin "Chino" Gutierrez in his predicament. Doubtless, Chino’s case will be of concern to DFA Secretary Alberto Romulo and German Ambassador Axel Weishaupt.

Chino has been winning first prizes in Munich international competitions both in music and math. However, his present dire circumstances could prejudice his future studies and prevent him from pursuing the goals which could eventually redound to his country’s honor.

Chino’s desperate need of sponsorship may be gleaned from the following (abridged) letter he wrote an old family friend.

"We are devastated by the Embassy’s decision to suddenly terminate my father’s work contract. (Chino’s father, Lamberto Gutierrez, is a professional computer systems analyst and programmer.) It’s been a nightmare since several weeks ago, when we first heard about it. We are clueless as to why that happened.

"This August I shall be representing the Philippines in an international violin competition. My mentor Mr. Ellerman has already started preparing me for that. It is merely the first among a series of international competitions I am to hurdle if I am to build a name and an international career as a concert violinist. Mr. Ellerman believes I can make it. However, I would like to state categorically that I need my parents with me as I pursue these goals. Although I appreciate your efforts in helping look for a foster home, I firmly believe this is not the solution for me right now.

"It’s difficult to explain, but the demands and needs of my situation as a minor are very different from those of a typical student studying abroad. I am concertizing, competing actively in two fields (math/science and music), attending two schools simultaneously, traveling constantly for workshops, performances, and so on. Even the physical demands and the demands on the psyche are entirely different. It can really get stressful, emotionally draining and, at times, very frustrating – but it is a challenge I relish, and do not back away from. I only ask that my parents be allowed to stay with me so that I can continue performing at my optimum level. I think this is why there’s wisdom in allowing prodigies to stay with their parents abroad – as in the cases of Cecile Licad, Aries Caces, Lea Salonga, to name a few.

"Last Nov. 2004, I won first prize in the first round of Landeswettbewerb Mathematik Bayern, a math tilt for all high schools in the entire Bavarian region. In Feb. 2005, I went into the second round and won again, and became state champion, presumably the only Filipino to have achieved that so far. My teacher-school psychologist said jokingly at the time, ‘Shame on us. Our state champion is not Bavarian; he’s Filipino.’

"I achieved this during my first school year within the German school system, which was pretty fast by anybody’s standards. Within that time, I also caught up on four years’ worth of Latin in one year. I took the validating exams and got top marks. My Latin teacher announces to all that I am his ‘bestestest’ student ever, in fact, he has asked me to co-author with him a book on etymology in five languages. In physics, I, an 8th grade student (at the time) had the honor of being invited to join the math and physics club – everybody else needed to apply and be screened, and this was open only to 11th graders or older. While all that was happening, I also passed my auditions at the prestigious Hochschule fur Musik und Theater Munchen (Munich). I was only one of two, out of dozens of applicants, who made it and passed the very rigorous standards.

"All my teachers, as well as Mr. Ellerman, were very delighted and amazed that my adjustment period went super smooth and fast. None of them expected me to achieve so much in such a short span of time. They are all of the opinion that the single biggest contributing factor for my success was that I had my parents with me, and for this, I will always be grateful to Ambassador Zaide, Ambassador Jess, Sen. Shahani and the late Sec. Blas Ople. Because I had a secure base to start with, I could afford to hit the ground running. I no longer wasted precious time trying to find my feet.

"Looking at the bigger picture, this was also very efficient because we were able to save money, energy and resources. What could have normally taken three or four years to accomplish, I did in one year. Do you think I would have been able to reap all those rewards in those different fields, for myself and for my country, if I had been sent here alone at a very tender age, left with a foster family, no matter how caring and decent, but expected to provide only for board and lodging, and not necessarily nurture the mind, the heart and the soul? I honestly, sincerely don’t think so.

"As I’ve said, this year I face the challenge of an international violin competition. Mr. Ellerman has begun preparing me for my next major solo recital this year, and a concert with the PPO, if plans push through. My math-physics coach is looking at the Bundeswettbewerb Mathematik this time if my schedule permits. I continue to meet weekly with my Latin professor, as we’ve already laid the groundwork for our book. Such exhilarating challenges require my full energy and concentration.

"I can’t break my stride now to cope with something as distracting as being violently pulled out from my present environment and having my parents suddenly sent home. It is just unthinkable."

Chino – candidly, he is a genius – needs immediate assistance. He may be reached through his father Lamberto Gutierrez at <[email protected]>.