Kabayao family musical ensemble

(The following was read out before the "Hinun-anon", a dinner- forum of sort but actually more of party fun, at the Smallville Hotel, Iloilo City tendered by a line-up of candidates in the coming election of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines - Iloilo Chapter. The piece is an exerpt from the feature written for the Philippine Star by Rosalinda P. Orosa. The Kabayaos performed two all-violin numbers before the lawyers. It was originally titled "The Kabayao Family Quintet". Since one member, the youngest child, a son, has migrated to the US for work, the group may be rightly called now as "Quartet")

The Kabayaos have rightly earned the unofficial title "Musical Ambassadors of the Philippines" with their highly acclaimed concert performances in the Philippines and in other countries for more than twenty years, thereby promoting the artistic excellence and integrity of the Filipinos in general, and of the Ilonggo artists in particular.

The quintet is led by Gilopez Kabayao, the Philippines' outstanding violin virtuoso whose accomplishments and personal crusade earned for him the Presidential Medal of Merit for Music, the President Ramon Magsaysay Award for outstanding civic service, Ten Outstanding Young Men Award, honorary doctorate degrees from the University of the Philippines and Central Philippine University, among others.

The pianist in the group is Corazon Pineda Kabayao, a magna cum laude graduate from the University of Santo Tomas Conservatory of Music who carries the multiple tasks of pianist, wife and mother  to the children, manager, musical arranger and executive producer of all the family recordings.

Their three children, Sicilienne, Farida and Gilberto, have been a part of their musical concerts and crusade to bring fine music to schools in many parts of the Philippines since they were three years old. Pursuing their individual professions and interests - Sicilienne in cultural and business management of the family enterprise. Farida in theater study performances, Gilberto in business administration and sports - the three Kabayao children contribute their own artistry to the series of concert tours and CD recordings of classical, Philippine and praise music of local and international contributions.


The critics have this to say of the Kabayao family:

"The Kabayaos must be the most outstanding musical family the Philippines has ever produce. In sum, the nation can be justifiably proud of the Kabayao Quintet, which, as an ensemble, is incomparable not only for its edifying family togetherness but also for its technical skill, musicality, musicianship and moving eloquence."

The Kabayao family ensemble (From L to R: Sicilienne, Gilopez, Corazon and Farida


Sicilienne, Gilopez and Farida

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