Wazzup Pilipinas!
Berta Rojas, a star in the international guitar community and a tourism ambassador of her native Paraguay being the most popular musician of the country, will hold concerts in Manila (on May 15, 2014 at 8 pm in the Meralco Theater) and Cebu (on May 17, 2014 at 8 pm in the Marcelo Fernan Hall in Lahug). Ms. Rojas, described by the Washington Post as "Guitarist extraordinaire," will play a mainly classical repertoire with a taste of jazz and salsa.
At a press conference held at the Richmonde Hotel last April 7, 2014, members of the media got to interview Ms. Rojas via Skype video call straight from Paraguay. The time difference between Paraguay and the Philippines is around 12 hours so that would mean she had to remain awake late in the evening at around midnight so he could talk to us at the press conference. The presscon started at around 12 noon that day so you can do your own computation.
Present at the presscon were the front acts for the concert in Manila namely Ramoncito Carpio, the country's most internationally awarded classic guitarist and Triple Fret, a trio that plays classical and more accessible pieces, composed of Marga Abejo, Jenny de Vera, and Iqui Vinculado.
The presscon was also attended by members of the Independent Philippine Art Ventures, Inc. They are in partnership with the Arts Council of Cebu Foundation who were jointly responsible in organizing this classical guitar concerts.
Beta Rojas answers all inquiries from the members of the media via Skype video call. The video would sometimes become choppy probably because of the intermittent Internet connection.
Ramoncito Carpio started to play guitar at age 12. He decided to study guitar formally at age 17 at the extension program of the University of the Philippines (UP) College of Music. He earned his Bachelor's degree under the tutelage of Prof. Lester Demetillo. He took his Master of Music degree at Philippine Women’s University (PWU) School of Music under the guidance of Prof. Benchito Cariño and is pursuing his doctorate in music with Dr. Angelito Agcaoili in the same school.
As a frustrated guitarist who even bought a guitar during my younger years when I was still single thinking I would be able to learn on my own just by referring to YouTube videos from the Internet, I failed miserably.
It was a good thing my daughter picked up from where I left off. She can now play the guitar if you encourage her enough to perform. Though she still prefers to play the piano or electronic keyboard because it offers more flexibility and several variations in sounds. I am just grateful she can play both very well, and continues to study to improve her musical skills. I will be extra hopeful she can also take this interest to the next level.
Get to see the wacky sides of talented guitarist Ramoncito Carpio and the three lovely ladies of Triple Fret
Prior to the concert, Berta Rojas will conduct a special master class on May 14, 2014 from 3-6 p.m. at Cedar Room, Richmonde Hotel Ortigas, the official residence of Rojas in Manila.
The master class will be open, free of charge, to six students and enthusiasts that qualify in a transparent and competitive process.
In a master class, open to a public audience, the student plays a chosen piece before a virtuoso. The latter evaluates technique, style, interpretation, posture. It is usually a once-in-a-lifetime experience for the student. Berta Rojas will spend 30 minutes with each participant. For further inquiries, please write Monch Carpio at monchingcarpio@gmail.com or ipavinc@gmail.com.
The campus networking for the events is spearheaded by the University of Santo Tomas Music Conservatory Student Council, under the leadership of Mary Rose Luzande.
For ticket inquiries, call Ticketworld at 891.9999
Ross is known as the Pambansang Blogger ng Pilipinas - An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Professional by profession and a Social Media Evangelist by heart.
Post a Comment