Awardees: The Kabayaos

Violin virtuoso, conductor, pedagogue Gilopez Kabayao is, as significantly, a music missionary who has been spreading the gospel of classic music to students and the masses. After his marriage to the outstanding concert pianist Corazon Pineda, she joined him in his mission.

The Kabayaos recently received the CCP 2008 Gawad Para sa Sining Award (Music). Herewith is Gilopez’s response at the ceremonies.

My lifetime commitment to spread the beauty and power of fine music in the Philippines has never wavered in the span of more than 50 years since I started this personal crusade. I consider myself to be extra blessed to find a musical and lifetime partner, both in my career and in marriage in the person of Corazon, without whom, the pages of our book as musical missionaries would not have been as challenging, vivid, productive, inspiring and certainly meaningful.

Corazon and I have lost count of the number of school lecture recitals and concerts which we gave in cities, towns and barrios in the Philippines. We may never be able to quantify the number of students who heard Beethoven, Sarasate, Mozart, Abelardo, and yes, even Khachaturian, in our lecture-recital series in public and private schools. However, what remains in our hearts and minds are the vivid expressions of appreciation from our young audiences whose overall musical exposure, more often than not, is limited to rock, disco and popular music. These same audiences wrote their positive reactions to the new experience of listening to the other type of music; there was prolonged applause, shouts of “Bravo” and even stomping of feet similar to what one finds in the cultural halls of Europe. Students and teachers wrote how they were touched, how the music made them forget their problems momentarily; how they felt happy and at peace as they listened to the beautiful music. In short, these young audiences experienced the power of fine music even at first hearing.

There is hope for our youth and the general audiences in the country where appreciation of fine music is concerned. A one-time experience at the concert should be duplicated and repeatedly made available; fine music should be given longer radio and TV air time. (There are 50 radio stations which play jazz, rock and disco, etc. but only two which play classic music: DZFM 98.7 FM devotes itself exclusively to classic music. DZBR 104.3 FM has “Encore” which plays classic music Mondays to Fridays, 9 p.m. to 10 p.m. — RLO) Commercial establishments and business should pitch in to support music and art appreciation programs; the mass media should do its part in promoting Filipino artists and their works; the government should give as much incentive and support to the arts compared to what has been extended to sports. If sports gold medalists are promised P15 million, I believe the National Artists deserve to receive more than just P100,000 after serving the country for a lifetime. (Lusty applause.)

Corazon and I would like to thank CCP for recognizing our musical partnership and the legacy which we hope will serve as an inspiration for many to continue. We are deeply honored and encouraged to do more, for the sake of bringing the power of music to the lives of many more of our countrymen. Thank you and may God bless us all!

Corazon’s response:

Forty years ago, as a 19-year-old piano student at the Conservatory, I was introduced not only to the man behind the one-man crusade of bringing fine music to the masses, but also to the amazing world of reaching out to people. Not thru charitable programs known to most of us, but thru the power of the special gift of music. Instantly, I was initiated to the vision of this man who believed that music can make a difference in people’s lives. Thru the years, I became a witness and direct participant in the countless occasions when the beauty and transforming power of music took prominence over the outward limitations of the surroundings and even occasional indifference from people.

Together, Gilopez and I combed the archipelago with our lecture-recital series in schools, winning the students to the love and appreciation of classical and Philippine music, proving to everyone that there is room for music to make a difference in their lives. If we still exhibit the same level of enthusiasm and passion today as we perform for the present generation of young audiences, it is only because we can draw from a deep reservoir of experience and precious memories put together for the past 40 years. Every person in the hall who paid for a ticket to listen to us play deserved to be moved and inspired. To see the faces of the students in awe of the beautiful music they heard and to read their love letters and expression of appreciation give us enough reason to believe that the many years we spent on this musical trail was well worth it.

Gilopez and I are blessed with a family that not only understood our desires and our work, but also shared the commitment to continue the musical journey. Our three children, Sicilienne, Farida and Gilberto, who joined us on the concert stage since they were three and logged thousands of traveling miles with us, have been a source of joy and pride for us as parents. This is the icing to the cake of a musical partnership which was nurtured and challenged thru the years.

To receive the 2008 CCP Gawad Para Sa Sining Award for Music is a time for celebration, a taking stock of what has been accomplished, an opportunity to thank those who have lent support and to reaffirm one’s resolve to do more and make the remaining years of our lives even more fruitful. Above all, this is a time to thank our good Lord for all the things that He allowed us to experience and to enjoy.

The CCP may not be aware of the impact which this award has made on us as musical artists and family. Gilopez and I would like to thank the CCP for honoring us with the 2008 Gawad Para Sa Sining Award. We are deeply encouraged and inspired to continue what we have been doing in promoting fine music to the Filipino people. Mabuhay ang lahing Pilipino!