PRESS RELEASE – 78 - 2019
(Left Photo) On 5 October 2019, the UP Rondalla was guest performer at the Bayanihan Fundraiser of the Filipino Community Center (Right Photo) Deputy Consul General Angelica C. Escalona with Hawaii Governor David Ige, Mrs. Dawn Ige and Ms. Jenny Alconcel Quezon at the Fundraiser
(10 October 2019, Honolulu, Hawaii) – On the premise that music is a universal language, the highlight of this year’s celebration of Filipino-American History Month was the visit to Hawaii of the University of the Philippines (UP) Rondalla from 3 to 7 October 2019. The Philippine Consulate General in Honolulu, University of the Philippines (UP), National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), in partnership with the University of the Philippines Alumni Association in Hawaii (UPAAH), collaborated to bring the group to Hawaii to showcase rondalla music, which is unique to the Philippines.
A rondalla is an ensemble of stringed instruments. With its origins from medieval Spain, the word rondalla comes from the Spanish ronda, which means "serenade." Spain introduced the rondalla to the Philippines in the 15th century. Stringed instruments composing the standard Filipino rondalla are the bandurria, the laúd, the octavina, the guitar, and the double bass.
While in Honolulu, the UP Rondalla called on Consul General Joselito Jimeno, and conducted lectures and workshops at the University of Hawaii, East-West Center, and Filipino Community Center. The group also had a TV guest appearance on KITV-4’s Good Morning Hawaii Weekends and was guest performer at the Bayanihan Fundraiser of the Filipino Community Center. Their free concerts at the Ala Moana Center Stage, Honolulu Central Seventh-Day Adventist Church and Farrington High School Auditorium were well-attended and received. Their repertoire included Philippine folk songs, kundiman or love songs, classical music as well as contemporary music. During their concert in Farrington High School, the UP Rondalla performed with the Farrington Orchestra led by Dr. Karen Miyamoto, delighting the audience with their joint rendition of a medley of Philippine folk songs.
The UP Rondalla is composed of Dr. Marie Jocelyn Marfil, Artistic Director, Prof. Elaine Juliet Espejo, Musical Director, and members Prof. Solaiman Jamisolamin, Ms. Roda Ladringan, Mr. John Leonard Burdeos, Ms. Mariefrance Ballester, Ms. Jory Jan Delgaco, Mr. Prince John Barnal, and Mr. Chick Ramas. (END)
Mrs. Araceli C. Jimeno, wife of Consul General Joselito A. Jimeno, and Deputy Consul General Angelica C. Escalona show their support for the UP Rondalla at its performance and lecture at the Kuykendall Hall of the University of Hawaii Manoa on 4 October 2019
On 4 October 2019, the UP Rondalla performed at the Ala Moana Center Stage located at the largest shopping mall in Hawaii
On 5 October 2019, the UP Rondalla conducted a lecture and workshop on basic technique of playing the Rondalla and dancing the tinikling for Music Education teachers and students of the University of Hawaii – Manoa (Photo Credits: Hawaii Orff Schulwerk Association’s facebook)
On 5 October 2019, the UP Rondalla had a TV guest appearance on KITV-4’s Good Morning Hawaii Weekends (Photo Credits: Ms. Annalisa Burgos)
UP Rondalla’s lecture and workshop for the Filipino children and youth at the Filipino Community Center on 6 October 2019. (Photo Credits: Ms. Elizabeth Frilles and Ms. Imelda Fines Gasmen)
(Left Photo) The UP Rondalla during their last performance in Honolulu at the Farrington High School Auditorium on 7 October 2019. (Right Photo) Mrs. Araceli C. Jimeno (7th from right), Deputy Consul General Escalona (center), Consul Grace Anne G. Bulos (8th from left) with the UPAAH officials and UP Rondalla
