At the Harana sa Dapit-Hapon last March 11 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines, the numbers of the Kabayao Family Quartet elicited a prolonged standing ovation. Gilopez Kabayao and his daughters Sicilienne and Farida, played the violin, while his wife Corazon was on the piano.
The overflow audience congratulated the “National Artist” and his family, but your columnist corrected them, “Gilopez is not a National Artist… at least not yet.”
Gilopez has been honored worldwide for his violin virtuosity and using his and his family’s musical gifts to touch the lives of people. His many recognitions include the Magsaysay Award, the Asian equivalent of the Nobel Prize. But paradoxically, he has yet to be named National Artist which he, needless to say, richly deserves. It’s a long-delayed recognition.
Listen to what media said:
Standing alone on stage, Gilopez Kabayao seemed to hold the large Carnegie Hall audience in the palm of his hand from beginning to end.
— New York Times
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Renowned violinist Gilopez Kabayao, his gifted wife Corazon, and their children create a distinctive expression of life. They are a full-blown concerto of art and insight.
— The Philippine STAR
The Kabayaos must be the most outstanding musical family the Philippines has ever produced.
— Manila Bulletin
The Kabayao Family’s greatest achievement is in having spread the Word of God through humble presentation of their talents. They gave deeper meaning to the saying, “God above everything else.”
— Health and Home
Gilopez was a child prodigy, initially tutored in music by his parents, violinist Doroteo Kabayao and pianist Marcela Lopez. At nine, he played Violin Concerto with the local symphony in Fabrica, Negros Occidental, where he was born in 1929. He studied at Silliman and music schools in New York and Vienna.
At 19, Gilopez made his international debut at the Carnegie Hall in New York, accompanied on the piano by his sister Marcelita, his partner when they toured the southern provinces.
Gilopez and his family brought classical music to the remotest parts of the country, earning him the Magsaysay Award for Public Service.
His family is equally gifted. Wife Corazon Pineda is a music graduate of the University of Santo Tomas, magna cum laude. She and Gilopez have performed in Europe, the United States and Asia. She has authored two art books and co-authored with her husband Listening Program for the Filipino Youth. She has produced numerous recordings on classical Filipino and praise music, instructional DVD on music.
Like Gilopez, Corazon has been honored by CCP and National Commission for Culture and the Arts.
The Kabayao children, Sicilienne and Farida and Gilberto (who’s based in US) are accomplished not only in music, but in other fields as well.
Sicilienne took up Broadcast Communication and Farida in History, both at the University of the Philippines in the Visayas. Sicilienne helps manage the family business. Farida acts on stage and has a master’s degree from De La Salle University.
Gilberto, who’s a sports enthusiast, winning medals since his school days, was accepted to the US Air Force in 2011.
They take time out from the regular jobs to join their parents in concerts. The last time all five members were together on the concert stage was 2014, when Gilopez turned 85 and marked his 65th year as a concert artist. It coincided with the 45th year of Gilopez’s musical partnership with Corazon and their 40th year of marriage.
Held at the CCP, the four-in-one event was aptly billed In Celebration.
When will Gilopez Kabayao receive the long-deserved and much-delayed National Artist Award? Hopefully, soon. — RKC
