Sterling cultural showcase at Marinduque's inaugural ceremonies

Undoubtedly Marinduque's best singers. Sarah Faye Bacal, Joseleo Logdat and Angel Penaflor

Marinduque's top performers graced the afternoon cultural program after the inaugural ceremonies for elected and re-elected officials on Sunday, June 30, 2019. Led by multi-awarded baritone Joseleo Logdat, others who came were coloratura-soprano Sarah Faye Bacal, Voice-Kids finalist Angel Penaflor, a fresh baritone group I Baritoni, and Joseleo's musical youth group brainchild, Musika sa Isla String Orchestra.

A dance group from Marinduque State College (now known as Marinduque State University (MarSU after President Duterte signed into law the universityhood bill prior to the inauguration), also performed three folk dances by selected students under Prof. Diomer Montaron. 

That morning saw a cleansing, unifying slight 'good luck drizzle' as the governor was about to take his oath, the mammoth crowd of municipal and barangay officials from Marinduque's 218 barangays, line agencies, capitol employees, police, religious groups, private organizations and local supporters of the new leaders appreciated the festive air of the historic occasion.

The cultural program organized by the provincial tourism office's Gerry Jamilla and this blogger was held at the nearby Provincial Convention Center and was hosted by Mayda Lagran (DepEd) and Abet Faundo (DepEd).

Waiting for the show. BM Adeline Angeles, Mrs. Bacorro, Vice-Gov. Bacorro, Governor Velasco, Torrijos Mayor Lorna Q. Velasco and Associate Justice Andres Reyes, Jr.

Logdat and Bacal opened the program with Celine Dion's "The Prayer" song. Then Bacal rendered "Go the Distance" (from Hercules). "Wishing you Were Somehow Here Again", (Phantom of the Opera), and I Have Dreamed" (King and I).

Music runs in her blood. Sarah Faye Bacal, coloratura soprano

Bacal hails from Mogpog where her mother (from the Labatete-Limpiada clan) has always been into music. The young Sarah Faye has already earned a degree in Voice Performance (Opera) with full scholarship at Palm Beach Atlantic University in Florida, USA.

Angel Penaflor sang “Reflection” (Mulan), “On my Own” (Les Miserables) and “Impossible Dream” (Man of La Mancha). The Voice-Kids finalist hails from Matuyatuya. Torrijos and is proud of the quaint, lilting tongue they speak there, similar to other Marinduque Tagalog dialects spoken around the island.

Voice-Kids discovery. Angel Penaflor

Emcee Lagran notes a Marinduque event last November which President Duterte graced (Cong. Lord Allan Velasco and wife Wen's joint birthday celebration), and where the president sang "Ikaw" for well-wishers, an occasion that saw Penaflor coaching the president to the delight of the audience. 

Joseleo Logdat, the baritone, then showed his vocal prowess with three well-applauded song, "Ako'y Pilipino", "Se" (from Cinema Paradiso) and "Stars" (from Les Miserables).

Hand-painted Morion on his Barong. Joseleo Logdat, Baritone

Fresh from a successful opera-theater performance at the Cultural Center of the Philippines as 'Elias' in Noli Me Tangere (The Opera), the hosts proudly shared some of Logdat's musical accomplishments such as winning the SLO-ASEA Vocal Competition in Singapore 2018, semi-finalist in Accademia de Bel Canto International Vocal Competition in Graz, Austria 2018, champion at the 14th International Music Competition 2013, Grand Prix winner 6th Yokohama International Music Competition 2013. He was likewise a recipient of the NCCA Ani ng Dangal Award for Music.

Logdat was proud to present his newest homegrown baritone proteges, Ronnel Mauzar and Jezreel Mangui. Together with him they are known as I Baritoni. The trio sang "Adagio" (popularized by Lara Fabian), and "Ikaw".

I Baritoni

"Musika sa Isla" String Orchestra is also one of Logdat's biggest contribution in promoting classical music on the island by training young people how to sing and play violin, cello and piano. This is Musika sa Isla's sixth year, from time to time they've been featured in the news and mainstream TV programs, but their existence depends on support to further their music studies, to purchase more instruments and inspire other young members to join. 

Young homegrown music artists. Musika sa Isla String Orchestra. 

"Sana ay tuloy-tuloy ang kanilang pagsasanay para naman ma-showcase natin ng husto para sa pagdiriwang ng Marinduque Centennial sa darating na taon 2020!", quipped Lagran after the children's orchestra played "Andante Festivo" by Sibelius with Logdat himself conducting.

Folk dancers from the newest state university, the Marinduque State University (MarSU)

It was indeed a sterling showcase of performances by the best known musical talents of this island-province, first time they all performed together that amid rounds of applause and shouts of "Bravo" all who witnessed the event evidently look forward to more such cultural programs for, as the new governor of Marinduque said earlier in the day, that very day "is the dawn of a great change that will usher a new era... the next millenium in the province as the Golden Era of the province of Marinduque!"

Big, heartfelt thanks and Bravo to all the inaugural performers!

Traditional Putong ritual by the capitol choir

Capping the program was a traditional "Putong" performed by the Marinduque Provincial Capitol Choir followed by the live music of reggae band, Lakambini that saw the guests spiritedly dancing to their music.

All smiles. Vice-Governor Jun Bacorro, Associate Justice Andres J. Reyes who administered the oath for all provincial officials and Governor Presby Velasco. 

Traditional dance after Putong with Governor Presby... and the reggae band played on. 

All photos courtesy of the Provincial Tourism Office/Erwin Penafiel

Also read:

'Golden Era of Marinduque': Gov. Presbitero Velasco, Jr. delivers his inaugural address