Mabuhay!: An Exploration of Philippine Piano Literature (2021)

Traced Images (2004)
Josefino Chino Toledo

Moon Under Ruined Castle (2012)
Marie Jocelyn Marfil

Lakad sa Gubat (1991)
Ga Sirum-Sirum (1995)
Maria Christine M. Muyco

Gong-an (1990)
I. Klintang
II. Abot-Tanaw III
III. Pal-Ok
Ramon Santos

Harana (1943)
Francisco Buencamino Sr.

In 2020, during a time of political and social unrest due to the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement and the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, practicing the piano became more and more difficult for me to do. I was upset, uninspired and ultimately, burnt out. All my life I had believed that (Western) classical music was the ultimate embodiment of love, and at its best, godliness; as the riots and protests against institutional and systemic racism arose, my perception began to change.

It was through this experience that I started to challenge the current curriculum of higher music education and create a program that showcased contemporary BIPOC composers in classical music. Looking into my own ancestral heritage and Filipino-American experience seemed like a good starting point, so I did my own research and reached out to the Filipino composers that are now the main feature of this program.

As pianists will continue to share and perform the music of Mozart, Beethoven and Brahms (as they should!), I want to help share the music of people closer to my own generation and cultural heritage to encourage others to explore and embrace different kinds of music and art.

Poster by @kitteclair