Download P R E S S R E L E A S E

PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL NEW YORK
PRESS RELEASE
PR-MDL-51-13
04 May 2012-MTDizon-deVega
New York Celebrates Philippine Heritage Month with “The Songs of Nicanor
Abelardo”
04 May 2013, New York – A new album dedicated to compositions of renowned Filipino
Composer Nicanor Abelardo opened the celebration of Philippine Heritage Month at the
Philippine Center in New York.
Presented by Mariqueño Music and iPeakServices with the support of the Philippine
Consulate General in New York, the launch of the limited edition album produced by
Mariqueño Music entitled “Songs of Nicanor Abelardo” featured selected performances
by Filipino musical artists based in the United States.
The performers included Joseph Legaspi (Baritone), Katrina Saporsantos (Soprano),
William Lim (Tenor) and Benjamin Dia (pianist). All are active performers, choral
conductors, arrangers and teachers in the US. They are products of leading music
institutions in the Philippines and in the United States such as the UP College of Music,
Indiana University, and the Manhattan School of Music.
Mr. Robert Perez de Tagle of iPeakServices provided the guests, who packed the
Kalayaan Hall, with information about the life and times of Nicanor Abelardo and spoke
about the creative milieu within which he produced his most popular works such as
Nasaan Ka Irog?, Bituing Marikit, Mutya ng Pasig and novelty songs such as Kenkoy.
In her opening remarks, Deputy Consul General Theresa Dizon-de Vega noted that the
album launch coincides with the start of Philippine Heritage Month, the celebration of
Asia-Pacific Heritage Month in the US and also the commemoration of the 120th Birth
Anniversary of Abelardo. She noted that this was an historic occasion as there are very
few recordings of the works of Maestro Abelardo who helped to popularize the kundiman
form and also incorporated a number of western musical influences such as jazz in his
works.
The program ended with a short Q and A about the work of Nicanor Abelardo and a
message of appreciation from Mr. Mike Arguelles, a descendant of Nicanor Abelardo,
who along with his family, represented the Abelardo clan at the event.
There was a CD signing after the performance at the Kalayaan Hall. For more
information on the limited edition CD, the public can secure more information from
www.mariquenomusic.com. END
556 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY
Tel. No. (212) 764-1330
www.newyorkpcg.org
L-R Baritone Joseph Lim performs the popular “Bituing Marikit”; Katrina Saporsantos sings
Abelardo’s most famous work “Mutya ng Pasig”
L-R Tenor William Lin performs the classic “Nasaan Ka Irog?”; The performers answer questions
from the audience
L-R Guests filled the Kalayaan Hall of the Philippine Center for the special performance; Mr.
Robert Perez de Tagle talks about the legacy of Abelardo
556 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY
Tel. No. (212) 764-1330
www.newyorkpcg.org
L-R Mike Arguelles thanks the performers and audience for taking part in the program; Deputy
Consul General Theresa Dizon-de Vega welcomes guests to the album launch and performance
(Photos: NYPCG)
556 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY
Tel. No. (212) 764-1330
www.newyorkpcg.org