Concert pays tribute to Pinoy heroes, composers
Concert pays tribute to Pinoy heroes, composers
Bong Castillo (left) is shown with Jenifer Camacho, Cheryll Samson and Arnel Arias.
Isagani (Bong) P. Castillo is not only an educator but a musically inclined young Filipino and even described by Filipinos in Toronto, as a nationalist.
He runs a school called Ontario Health Care Academy which offers courses for a personal support workers. It is a multicultural educational institution in Toronto.
On Dec. 30, 2011, Castillo put-up a concert at the Toronto Opera House, a historical landmark located in 735 Queen Street East, giving honor and tribute to the Filipino national heroes and composers.
In fact, he dubbed the event as recognition of those who scarificed for the sake of their country and for those musical artists who composed songs that uplift the Filipinos and the country as a whole.
Actually, I have never heard nor seen a concert that paid tribute to our national heroes and to our composers in the our country and other parts of world where the Filipino communities are large and strong.
Castillo invited Consul General Pedro O. Chan to do the honor of handing to musician and composer Ramon Torralba an award of recognition. Torralba has been a musician since the 70’s in the Philippines and other parts of the world.
“Pagibig sa Tinubuang Lupa” was the focal point of the concert of Bong Castillo which was participated in by the musically talented singers namely Josie de Leon, Jenifer Camacho, Cheryll Samson, Arnel Arias, the Folklorico rondalla through the courtesy of the husband and wife team of Paul and Wendy Arena.
The audience of no less than 300 were composed of the young, adult, and seniors.
The other performers on stage were Ysabel Sanico, Margerie Mira, Joanne Fruto, Robert Caberto, Joseph Siador, Arnold Manlutac, Caesy Sunglao, Rhea Gamana, and Imee Painit. They were the back-up and support singers and dancers.
The show was conceptualized and director by Bong Castillo personally.
In fact, Anita Diaz of Ready Honda said that Bong Castillo’s show was so nationalistic that it has promoted the music and culture of the Filipinos.
The audience was culturally diverse. Many of our fellow Filipinos are encouraging Bong Castillo to send his CD of the concert to President Benigno Simeon Aquino III and the National Historical Institue.
Bong Castillo can be contacted at Tel. 416 – 854 – 5442, Email: castilloisagani@yahoo.com.
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