27th Sampung Daliri, Atbp.

After hearing Mass two Sundays ago with Sonny and the family’s helper Maymay, I proceeded to Manila. I ate dinner at Kentucky Fried Chicken - Harrison Plaza before going to the Cultural Center of the Philippines, the usual venue for University of Sto. Tomas Conservatory of Music’s Sampung Mga Daliri, Atbp.

Curiously, the 27^th version of this annual showcase of UST’s musical talents happened on the 27^th of February.

Unlike last year, Odette my wife wasn’t able to come with me to support our eldest son’s participation in the event who sang with the Chorus classes for the second time now as she wasn’t feeling well today.

Like last year, I barely made it to the singing of the national anthem and the concert’s first number, as latecomers were requested not to enter (Ludwig Beethoven’s “Egmont Overture”) while the performers where still playing.

I guess this year’s performance was extra special. As the program went on, it was obvious that the university’s Quadricentennial celebration had played a great influence to the underlying theme for this year’s version, drumming up a deep sense of history, nationalism and school pride.

In this regard, a flurry of traditional melodies flooded our senses with interpretations of “Lulay” by A Molina and Pandangguhan by R. Umali coupled later in the evening with a beautiful Kundiman medley comprised of patriotic songs “Sa Mahal Kong Bayan”, “Ang Aking Bayan”, “Lupang Hinirang” and “Kay Tamis ng Buhay” as conducted by Herminigildo Ranera.

More importantly, a special feature was made on Gerry de Leon’s “Ako’y Isang Tomasino” and a rendition of the original version of the UST Hymn composed by Julio Esteban-Anguita, (the Conservatory’s first Director) came as the concert’s glorious finale.

Interspersed all throughout the program were timeless melodies from operatic, classical, and Broadway favorites. I was quite impressed with the unorthodox performance of 10 young alumni pianists for their take on the grunge band Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” (Contagion). I went on a “graduation” mood listening to the march and dance from G. Verdi’s “Aida”. Earlier, my imagination ran creatively, trying to visualize the animal characters paraded in Saint Saens’ “Carnival of Animals”.

Personally, I thought this year’s concert did not top last year’s grandeur and rich variety of performances. But then again, very few performances to my mind could top a Les Miserables finale. Understandably, each year’s performance will be a harder act to follow. In a sense, Sampung Daliri has made it more and more difficult to outdo itself as the years go by.

Still, it was a wonderful celebration of music, a brief but reinvigorating respite from the hustle and bustle of our regular urban grind. As these musical celebrations do not come as often as we want them, I’m curious what lies ahead for next year’s version.