Musicians and visual artists came together for a greater cause — to bring hope to and extend solidarity with children battling cancer.
The University of the Philippines Symphony Orchestra, in collaboration with the UP College of Fine Arts, held “Tu-lay: Tunog at Kulay” at the University Theater, UP Diliman to benefit the UP-Philippine General Hospital Pediatrics Hematology-Oncology Clinic. The charity event consisted of an exhibit that opened on Oct. 2 and a concert on Oct. 3.
The concert featured Felipe de Leon Sr.’s “Tatlong Tunog-Larawan,” Modest Mussorgsky’s “Pictures at an Exhibition,” Dmitri Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 9, and Claude Debussy’s “Danse Sacrée et Danse Profane” with harpist Madeline Jane Banta.
In a brief interview with Professor Emeritus Josefino Chino Toledo, UPSO’s musical director and conductor, he shared his thoughts on the role of music in healing. “Technically, lahat naman ng bagay mayroong musika. May fundamentals, harmonics, partials. Siguro ang realignment ng mga partials na iyon, pag maganda ang musika, naaayos ang lahat ng pagkatao natin.”
Louisa Padernilla, head of the fundraising activities for the UP-PGH children’s cancer ward, expressed her gratitude for the initiative at the exhibit opening. “Music and art are not only forms of expression; they are bridges. Bridges that connect us to one another, and bridges that connect our children to hope.”
The exhibit showcased paintings and digital collages by CFA students under Professors Mitzi Aguilar-Reyes and Annie Pacaña. At the opening, CFA Gallery curator, Prof. Lisa Ito-Tapang, said she immediately thought of Aguilar-Reyes and Pacaña when the gallery was approached by UPSO for collaboration. Both have extensive experience with interdisciplinary art and music exhibitions.
Apart from donating a portion of ticket sales to the UP-PGH Pediatrics Hematology-Oncology Clinic, UPSO will have an outreach program on Oct. 21 at UP-PGH Pediatrics.
