Music makers drive the rain away

The morning ushered in a sky which seemed determined to keep everyone indoors. Sheets of rain battered the Metropolis and from where I stood, I noticed the trees in the park dancing in the blustery winds, and pitied to the had-to-be-somewhere movements of persons, wrestling with their otherwise well-behaved umbrellas. For a moment, I questioned my sanity — why, in this weather, was I leaving the comforts of home?

The answer waited at the end of a rather longish ride: the Goldenberg Mansion, aglow despite the stormy weather, for the 19th installment of the Goldenberg Concert Series, organized by the First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos.

From the driveway till the entrance, it was brollies galore — an unintentional choreography of some guests huddling together, sharing dry shelter and infectious laughter. Attentive receptionists and ushers welcomed each arrival with radiant smiles, their warmth instantly cutting through the late afternoon, almost evening chill. 

Soon, we found ourselves gladly surrounded by familiar faces — friends, artists, and fellow music lovers, plus excited students accompanied by their equally-thrilled teachers — all enclosed in a rare kind of bubble where time seemed to pause, and all that mattered was the promise of music, beautiful music.

The featured masters, each celebrated in his own right: cellist Gerry Graham Gonzales, clarinetist Jayson Rivera, and pianist Dingdong Fiel.

Gerry Graham Gonzales, the cellist, began his musical journey at the tender age of eleven. A graduate of St. Scholastica’s College with a Bachelor of Music in Cello Performance, he is a multi-awarded NAMCYA laureate in both solo and chamber categories. He has performed in international festivals across Thailand, Cambodia and Japan. Today, he stands as the Principal Cellist of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra.

Jayson Rivera, the clarinetist and educator, is equally distinguished. A product of the University of the Philippines College of Music and the Philippine Women’s University, he was NAMCYA’s clarinet champion in 1998. Now a Senior Lecturer at UP, he assists to mold the next generation of outstanding clarinetists, as he continues to perform with the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra.

Completing the trio was Dingdong Fiel, one of the country’s most active concert pianists. Winner of the Aliw Awards’ Best Instrumentalist in 2020, Fiel has performed across Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and North America. In 2023, he accomplished a remarkable feat — twelve solo piano concerts in a single year, setting a record in Philippine music history. He is the founder of the Dingdong Fiel International Music Academy.

The almost dusk repertoire drew from both classical traditions and contemporary hits. The program unfolded with “Doce de Coco” by Jacob do Bandolim, a fiery Brazilian choro that danced between European grace and Afro-Brazilian rhythm. Michele Mangani’s "Executive," an Italian showpiece, highlighted the clarinet’s lyricism and agility, then Lucio San Pedro’s tender "Romance," where the cello whispered with soulful nostalgia.

A succession of beloved Filipino melodies took over — George Canseco’s “Gaano Kadalas ang Minsan” and Leopoldo Silos’ “Dahil sa Isang Bulaklak” — each rendered with tender emotion. Nicanor Abelardo’s "Visayan Caprice" brought a spirited local flourish, drawing appreciative smiles from the attendees.

Then subsequently came a delightful surprise for younger ears: "Wish," from the Korean drama Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha, and Disney favorites “A Whole New World” and “Frozen Medley,” interwoven with Bruno Mars’ “Just the Way You Are.” Each piece, reimagined for the featured musical instruments, endearingly resonated with warmth and familiarity. The trio concluded with Joe Hisaishi’s “Merry-Go-Round of Life,” the whimsical waltz from Howl’s Moving Castle — a fitting finale.

I wonder, did I hear a subdued sing-along by the youth to the amusement of the guests?

The students and accompanying teachers in attendance were from Kalayaan National High School, Wesleyan College Manila, Padre Zamora Elementary School, Padre Burgos Elementary School, and Blessed Elena Elementary School. Their amazed faces and animated applause brought a compelling energy that matched the music itself. This made me quickly realize: The arts are alive and will continue to spread among the youth.

We were then escorted to the nearby Glass House — a see-through pavilion which offered a view of the rain-soaked gardens. Outdoors, the night remained dark and wet. Yet indoors, the spirit was unmistakably luminous. Despite the storm, sunshine radiated — from the music, from the camaraderie, and from everyone who braved the tempest.

¡Enhorabuena, Gerry Graham Gonzales, Jayson Rivera and Dingdong Fiel!