panday tinig receives “banaag” award at malacañan palace concert

Vol. 9, No. 1
Published by the Panday Tinig Choral Ensemble
Spring 2005
PANDAY TINIG RECEIVES “BANAAG” AWARD AT MALACAÑAN PALACE
PRESIDENT ARROYO CONFERS AWARDS TO
OUTSTANDING OVERSEAS FILIPINOS
The Panday Tinig Choral Ensemble
was one of the recipients of the
prestigious Presidential Banaag
Award which was given by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in
the Philippines‟ Malacañan Palace
last December 15, 2004.
which included Ambassador Francisco L. Benedicto,
Sonia del
Rosario and Armando Villapando.
The dossier was endorsed by Ambassador Francisco L. Benedicto and
the Philippine Embassy staff in Ottawa, and forwarded to Manila. We
thank all for their generous help, enThe Banaag Award is given bienni- couragement, and for recognizing the
ally “to outstanding Filipino or for- efforts of the choir in fostering the
eign individuals or associations for Filipino heritage through music.
advancing the cause of Filipino
communities overseas or for sup- It was truly a great honor for Panday
porting specific sectors or commu- Tinig to win this award as there were
nities in the Philippines. This award 150 nominations received from 29
is organized by the Philippines„ countries overseas.
Commission for Overseas Workers
and the Department of Foreign Paul Imperial (Music Director) and
Affairs through the Philippine em- Editha Fedalizo (Pianist and Coordibassies and consulates worldwide.” nator) represented the Panday Tinig
The Panday Tinig Choral Ensemble in the Awarding Ceremony and Testiwas nominated by a committee monial Dinner .
L-R: Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo,
Editha B. Fedalizo, coordinator, and Paul Imperial, Music
director, accepting Banaag award in behalf of the Panday
Tinig Choral Ensemble.
CONCERT RAISES FUNDS TO AID TSUNAMI VICTIMS
BELLIE RAMIREZ
Amidst war and global differences,
worldwide efforts were unified to aid the
victims of the tsunami that occurred in
South Asia on December 26, 2004.
The Panday Tinig joined the world in fundraising,
through its musical benefit titled MAY BUKAS PA,
at the Erskine and American Church on January 29,
2005. The audience included friends and members
and leaders of the Filipino community.
The repertoire included songs of friendship, lost
love, and hope. The singing of YOU‟LL NEVER
WALK ALONE, an inspirational song by Richard
Rogers, opened the concert. Opening remarks were
The Panday Tinig Choral Ensemble performing MAY BUKAS PA-a fundraising rendered by the choir‟s director, Paul Imperial.
musical benefit for South Asia‟s tsunami victims.
Canada-Based Awardees
Jo Reyes Inot
Noel Alcaide
Honored…..P. 2
WHERE ARE THEY NOW? P. 3
Please see Benefit concert, Page 7
Photo collage from
St. Jerome
Past 20 years.. P. 4-5
Winterlude P. 6
Kola Note Show
P. 7
Ginabe Castillo
FEATURE STORY P.8
PAGE 2
VOLUME 9 NO. 1
EDITORIAL….
PRESERVING ONE’S
M U S I C A L H E R I TA G E
HIGH-TECH WORLD
IN A
TAMBULI
Canadian Ambassador to the
Philippines honors Filipino-Canadian
Presidential awardees
EDITHA B. FEDALIZO
The Panday Tinig has for its mission—to promote and
preserve our Philippine music by presenting our songs
to our audiences in our city and elsewhere, and more
importantly, to the youth who grew up or were born
here. Music is our venue by which our culture and
heritage can be appreciated.
Folk songs from any country are precious reminders
of one‟s homeland—its people, their life cycles, their
loves, their land. In the Philippines, we have hundreds
of them...from various regions...of various languages
and dialects. It is a wonder how our forefathers have
passed these songs from one generation to the next,
in spite of centuries of foreign domination. It was
through oral repetition, from one generation to the
next, and shear memorization that our forefathers
preserved such songs and chants from epics.
Thanks to the modern composers and musicians who
have arranged our folksongs, making them fit for solo
presentations and for choral singing.
The Panday Tinig Choral Ensemble has produced,
thus far, two compact discs. The first, titled HALINA‟T
MAGDIWANG is a collection of songs sung during a
fiesta. The second, PINAGKAWING HIMIG, is a collage of folksongs originating from the northern to
southern part of the Philippines. Many of those who
have played these CDs have commented that these
songs evoked nostalgia—thus allowing one to reminisce about home and how life used to be. Through
nostalgia, one can be transported to bygone days
when life was simple and beautiful, thereby, easing
one from the present strains and stresses of life to
one of peace and relaxation.
“Gold mine! That‟s what they are”, commented a close
friend from Los Angeles, referring to the two Panday
Tinig CDs I gave her as a gift during our nursing class
reunion. “Those CDs have kept me company while
driving through the busy L.A. freeways, to and from
work”, she added. Apparently, she has been looking
for CDs with such music, but could not find them in
record stores.
The Panday Tinig can be proud of the many concerts
and benefit shows that it has presented. But the challenge is to go beyond that. The challenge is for us to
preserve the music and the culture that has been
handed down to us, into forms of audio and visual
entertainment, so as to serve as sources of information for the many generations to come.
In our present high-tech world, the opportunities to
preserve our music are endless.
2004 Philippine Presidential awardees from Canada with Canadian Ambassador
to the Philippines, Peter Sutherland (center): L-R: Julie Viola, Tessie Rayos del
Sol, Lourvie Ferrer of the Fiesta Filipina Dance Troupe (FFDT); Alicia Natividad
of the Ontario Bar; Danny Rayos del Sol, FFDT; Arturo Viola, Deputy Lord
Mayor of Niagara-on-the-Lake; Fanny Calucag & Estrellita Aguinaldo, FFDT;
Editha Fedalizo, Coordinator and Paul Imperial, Music Director, Panday Tinig
Chorale Ensemble, Montreal, Quebec.
Canadian Ambassador to the Philippines, Peter Sutherland, hosted
the “Banaag” and “Pamana ng Pilipino” Filipino-Canadian awardees
at the Canadian official residence in Dasmariñas Village, Makati, on
December 16, 2004. Among the 30 guests invited to meet the
honorees were Philippine Star publisher Max Soliven, Inquirer
columnist Rina Jimenez David, former Tourism Secretary Mina
Gabor, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Jose Brillantes, National
Historical Institute Chairman Ambeth Ocampo and U. P.‟s Madrigal
Singers‟ director‟s, Mark Anthony Carpio.
In his post-luncheon speech, Ambassador Sutherland greeted the
honorees saying, “It is a pleasure meeting our awardees today. It is
are to
distinguished
both by
your
an exceptional“You
honour
be recognized
out
of professional
the 400,000 Filipinoand for
what
you the
have
Canadians andaccomplishments
the 8 million Filipinos
living
outside
Philippines.”
He further commented,
arecommunities
distinguished
both and
by your
contributed“You
to your
in Canada
in
professional accomplishments
and
for
what
you
have
contributed
to
the Philippines. We can all learn from your
your communities in Canada and in the Philippines. We can all learn
example.”
from your example.”
….Ambassador Peter Sutherland
Filipino-Canadian recipients for the year 2004 Philippine Presidential
Awards included two individuals and two organizations namely,
Attorney Alicia Natividad, the first Filipino admitted to the Ontario Bar
and founder of the Canada-Philippines Business Council; Art Viola,
former Mayor and two-time Deputy Lord Mayor, Niagara-on-the-Lake;
Fiesta Filipina Dance Troupe from Toronto and the Panday Tinig
Choral Ensemble from Montreal, both recognized for their efforts in
promoting Filipino culture to foreign audiences.
THE TAMBULI EDITORIAL BOARD:
CONTRIBUTORS: Marivic Aplaon, Mynia Peñaranda, Bellie Ramirez
PRODUCTION: Editha B. Fedalizo, Paul Imperial
COMPUTER SUPPORT: Glenn Imperial
5355 Cumberland Ave. Montreal, Quebec, H4V 2P1, Canada
Phone: (514) 485-7281 Fax: (514) 485- 3995
Email: [email protected]
TAMBULI
WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
VOLUME 9 NO. 1
PAGE 3
PAGE 3
FORMER MEMBERS TELL STORIES OF MOVING-ON
The year was 1991. It was an exciting year for the Panday Tinig Choral Ensemble! It was the year that Panday Tinig obtained its Letters Patent from Corporations Canada. A
major concert was planned for Pollack Hall and the production team included Jo Reyes, alto, and Noel Alcaide, bass.
oel Alcaide joined the Panday
o Reyes joined the Panday Tinig in 1990. “It was
Tinig in 1991. Besides being a
instinctual on my part to join Panday”, she said. “I
good baritone, he was also a
willingly did after being recruited by Panday memcomedian. When things were
ber (until now) Peter Apelo and her Aunt Eloisa
getting serious, he always manHervas. “I was a member of the University of the
aged to lighten things up with a funny
Philippines‟ Singing Ambassadors choir led by Ed
NOEL ALCAIDE
line.
Manguiat. He was a profound influence in my outlook
and
views
about
music
and
singing
in
a
choir.
Add
to
JO REYES INOT
Noel was born in Manila. His choral experience included
that family upbringing and exposure to music, these membership with glee clubs. He took courses in the Coninfluenced me to join Panday.”
servatory of Music, University of Santo Tomas. “That
Jo hails from Iloilo City. She comes from a music-oriented family. “I made it possible for me to experience big, really big perhave 5 siblings,” she said, “and all of us at one point belonged to a formances,” he recalled. “When I got to Montreal and
heard about the Panday, I joined. No regrets! Panday
singing group
taught me a lot.”
or played an
instrument.”
In 1997, Noel moved to Alberta to establish his family.
Jo proved to
be a valuable
chorister for
Panday. She
was not only a
good alto, but
also the costumes chair/
designer and
choreographer .
Before he drove for Edmonton that November, he visited
the Panday House‟s choir room in the basement. “I‟ll always remember this place”, he said with tears in his eyes.
To the youth, Jo‟s advice is, “Go for the thing you love regardless of the
hurdles. If you have determination, nothing should stop you. Education
is the key to becoming what you want to be. Know your roots, heritage,
and culture. Singing is a good outlet for your energies and talents and
can distract you from getting involved in socio-economic problems.”
Noel Alcaide has grown to be a confident family man.
“One should gain confidence from life‟s experiences,” he
says. “And if you made it then, you‟ll make it any other
time, anywhere, just like in the song New York, New
York.”
Even now, Noel fondly remembers Panday. “Friday night
rehearsals... It was a time for me to unwind, rejuvenate
my spirit, and to socialize with this group, this big family
with different folks and different strokes….”
Flashback to 1991...Noel recalls his first concert at Pollack
Hall. “I played the mandolin for the Salinsing kids who
Inot family: L-R: Son Joseph Simon, Sim & Jo, & daughter Tisha
danced Bulaklakan and Tinikling. I felt good about it beAmanda (R ).
cause I delivered an A performance,” Noel said. He also
In 1993, Jo
remembers being the “whistler” for L’important, c’est la
left Montreal for Toronto to establish a family. She and her husband, rose. “I ran out of breath,” he said, “but the show must go
Sim Inot, have two kids, Joseph Simon, age 11, and Tisha Amanda, on, I thought, so I improvised and I came out okay.”
age 5.
The socials—the birthday celebrations, the summer picJo studied Nursing at George Brown College in Toronto and graduated nics. “There no times like those times...time with great
with honors. She is presently pursuing further studies for her Bachelor friends and family...fun times with mga bata o kaya mataof Science degree in Nursing. Looking ahead, she said, “If ever, this tanda. But then,” he added, “there were also iyakan and
would be my second degree.” She was referring to her Bachelor of Sci- controversy. The best times were, of course, the singing,
ence in Clothing Technology, which she finished from U.P. in 1986. Jo the performances. Despite the tampuhans, we came out
presently works at the Cardiac Unit at William Osler Health Center in as true champions when we performed.”
Brampton. “Juggling a young family and a profession at the same time
“I loved New York City!” Noel exclaimed as he recalled
can be very challenging, but extremely rewarding,” said Jo.
Panday‟s concert at the Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall
“There are so many fond memories of Panday,” said Jo. What im- in November 1995. “I will always cherish the moment of
pressed her most were the “camaraderie of good and fun friends, the my singing the solo for the song NEW YORK, NEW
joy of being involved in the community, looking forward to rehearsals, YORK, in the opening act.”
and the satisfaction of having good concerts.”
From his beautiful home in Edmonton, Noel wrote, “Things
“Singing has always been in my heart,” Jo said. “Panday helped me are great here with my wife Loraline and little 7-year old
make this a reality at a time of my life when I thought I would never be Allison. And, she is cute…just like her daddy.” About his
able to sing in a choir being away from my country of birth.”
singing, he said that he sings for 2 church choirs. “We
As a family-oriented wife and mother, Jo‟s priorities are her husband manage to please people...I mean….please God.”
and kids. I might consider singing again, when the kids are grown up. Noel works as a pharmaceutical technician and as a park“When singing is in one‟s soul, it is there to stay”, she said.
ing customer personnel for a hotel.
PAGE 4
VOLUME 9 NO. 1
TAMBULI
1985
PERFORMING at
the
UNION
UNITED
CHURCH
HERITAGE
WEEK
1986 ARTS WESTMOUNT—VICTORIA HALL
1987 concert— Westmount High School auditorium
1988
Recording
For the
National Film
Board
at
TEMPO
STUDIO
1987
ANNIVERSARY
PARTY,
Guilbault
Residence
1989
CONCERT,
POLLACK
HALL
1987
―MEN’S
RELAY‖
PICNIC,
Angrignon Park
1992– PLAQUE FROM
FEDERATION
FOR MT. PINATUBO
DONATION
1992 DONATING
CONCERT PROCEEDS
TO INTERNATIONAL
CANADIAN RED
CROSS FOR
MT.PINATUBO
VICTIMS
1990: ―GLOBAL MENU‖ EXHIBIT‖, OBORO GALLERY
1995: CONCERT at WEILL HALL at CARNEGIE HALL
1994 NDG-2000:
PAUL IMPERIAL
CONDUCTING
COMBINED CHOIRS
FOR HANDEL’S
―HALLELUJAH‖
CHORUS
TAMBULI
VOLUME 9 NO.1
PAGE 5
1996:
BENEFIT
FOR
SAGUENAY
FLOOD
VICTIMS,
ERSKINE &
AMERICAN
CHURCH
1998 KALAYAAN CONCERT—PLACE DES ARTS
1999 SUMMER
CHORAL
FESTIVAL,
DRUMMONDVILLE
1999—with U.P. ALUMNI RONDALLA, DOMINION-DOUGLAS
2000
MOST
OUTSTANDING
AWARD,
TORONTO
2003 SUMMER SHOW, BOTANICAL GARDEN
2003 ―PINTIG NG BAYAN‖ CONCERT at POLLACK
2001 CD RECORDING,
VICTOR STUDIO
2004 ―PINTIG NG BAYAN‖, OTTAWA With AMBASSADOR
FRANCISCO L. BENEDICTO
2004
PANDAY TINIG
RECEIVING
―BANAAG‖
PRESIDENTIAL
AWARD from
PRES. GLORIA
MACAPAGAL
ARROYO,
MALACAÑAN
PALACE
2002 CBC RADIO TAPING
PAGE 6
ST. Jerome—a
Winter Interlude
VOLUME 9 NO. 1
TAMBULI
AMBASSADOR’S CRYSTAL AWARD TO PANDAY TINIG
Mynia Penaranda-Belisle
St. Jerome Winter Carnaval...February
20, 2005...an outdoor show in the
middle of winter….I will always
remember this event with a chuckle and
a fond smile on my face.
The Panday Tinig was invited to sing at
the 6th annual Multi-ethnic Carnaval in
St. Jerome. The show was to be
performed outdoors. The stage, we
were told, would be heated. Interesting! Ambassador Francisco L. Benedicto giving 2004 Award
to E. Fedalizo, M. Camat (L), and M. Peñaranda ( R).
How could
a
place full of snow
and ice be warm
enough for the
performers? The
P a n d a y
welcomed
the
new experience.
At
10
a.m.,
February 20, we
were on our way
to a new venue .
On the commemoration of the
Philippines‟ 106th year of
Independence, on June 12, 2004,
Ambassador Francisco L. Benedicto
conferred awards to Filipino
individuals and/or organizations from
Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal for
their valuable and exemplary
contributions to the community.
The Panday Tinig was one of the
recipients from Montreal. Magnolia
Camat, Mynia Peñaranda and Editha
Fedalizo represented the Ensemble.
There‟s never a
dull moment with
L-R: Manny Vivar, Carmela Raquepo, Jun Diaz, Willie Gomez
P a n d a y ,
and Mynia Penaranda Belisle.
especially when
we are traveling.
roving dragon, and the amazing iceWe arrived at
sculptures that were towering above us. In
11:00 am in this PANDAY sings & dances PANDANGGO NI NENENG at St. Jerome‟s
the
h a l l,
l o ca l
p r o du c t s
we r e
quaint little town Multi-ethnic Winter Carnaral
displayed.There were foods and drinks. We
of St. Jerome, with narrow streets, compromised to forgo the bakya...we were given hot beverages.
charming shops and restaurants. It was would wear our boots and wear our tapis
cold, made worse by the gusting winds. over our rolled-up pants.
The last show was a little bit delayed. We
We were directed to the place where we
were worried because the wind had pickedwere going to perform. So dismayed We were scheduled for two thirty-minute up and it was really getting cold. With
were we to find out that the stage was shows. At 12 noon, we were on stage for infectious smile and a care-free like attitude,
equipped with just a few radiators our first show. Braving the freezing we did the fastest show ever. The people
hanging from the ceiling, heating only temperature, it was so difficult to stand just loved it. When the show was over, we
our faces. Our concern was our immobile while waiting for the other group heared wolf-whistles and cheers and a
costumes of flimsy materials like the to vacate the stage. We were standing with thunderous applause. It was a relief and a
barong Tagalog for men, multi-colored fixed smiles on our faces, controlling joy to hear the warm ovation, and after
sarong and kimona with bakya— ourselves not to quiver. The audience, fully acknowledging them, we scrambled to get
wooden sandals for women, costumes warmed in their winter clothing, were into our coats and jackets. With fingers
suitable for a hot summer day.
delighted to see us in our costumes, but at numbed from the cold, we could hardly
the same time concerned for our comfort undo our buttons.
We went into a big trailer provided for and warmth.
the performers. We huddled inside
Hats off to the dancers and to the Tinikling
trying to decide what to do and almost Anyway, our show animated the audience, clappers for their guts to go barefeet just for
everyone decided to forgo our costumes who kept dancing to the beat of our folk the sake of authenticity. Once again we
and to perform, instead in our winter songs, creating a festive atmosphere that have done our country proud by sharing our
attire. But our coordinator, Edith was so uplifting and inspiring. It buoyed us culture.
Fedalizo, explained that we had to wear to do our best in spite of the chill.
our costumes for the people to
It was amazing that no one got sick.
appreciate the performance. Our After the first show, the group went back to
repertoire was about a fiesta, the mood the trailer. Others ventured out in the cold Congratulations Panday Tinig for the
of which was reflected in our costumes. to take pictures with the mascot, the
courage and the ability to adjust and
Like real troopers, we agreed but
perform under trying conditions.
PAGE 7
VOLUME 9 NO. 1
TAMBULI
PA N DAY T I N I G B L E N D S VO I C E S AT C L U B “ KO L A N OT E ”
Marivic Aplaon
On March 23, 2005, the Panday Tinig Choral Ensemble
was invited to perform at
Kola Note, formerly known
as Club Soda, on 5240 Parc Avenue.
Titled Rythmes de 5 continents, the
show was sponsored by the Table de
concertation des organismes au service
des personnes réfugiées et immigrantes
(TCRI), a not-for-profit organization, to
commemorate its 25th anniversary.
Five artistic groups from various cultural
backgrounds participated—the Duo La
Grande Chaîne, a Quebec folklorique
group; Churuata, a Venezuelan singing
group; Bagg Street Klezmer Band, a
band that played Eastern European
music; Bolokan, a West African music
group; and the Panday Tinig, Montreal‟s
Philippine choral group.
The venue was unlike any other place
we have performed before. It made me
feel out of place. It was a combination of
a night club, a bar, and a discotheque.
Slated to sing after the intermission, the
Panday Tinig members got to see and
hear the other performers. Their presentations were appropriate for the setting. Their fast and upbeat music made
the people sway and dance. I was thinking, “Will the audience respond to our
singing with the same degree of enthusiasm and excitement when our turn to
perform came?” That
was because we were
a choir and our music
was of a genre, so
different from the other
groups and we were
using Filipino traditional costumes which
is not a regular night
club attire.
music of Pandanggo Ni Neneng’; Raquel
Estoque and Fernando Licarte interpreted
Masaganang Kabukiran; Mynia Penaranda
and Jessie Pascual showed the danza form
of Sa Piliping Mo;
and Jun Diaz and
myself,
Marivic
Aplaon, performed
the
national
dance, Tinikling,
which was also
sung by the choir.
Each number that
we performed was
The flyers promised a
so warmly representation of world The Panday Tinig at Kola Note.
ceived and apmusic. The show bubbled with multicul- plauded, that my concern and worries about
tural diversity. Surprisingly, as the show the spectators‟ acceptance slowly disapevolved, I noticed that the crowd re- peared. When we danced the Tinikling, they
ceived each group with overwhelming were most entertained and watched in awe.
openness.
Volunteers came forward showing interest in
learning the steps of the Tinikling. I had the
The time came for us to make our en- chance to show the dance steps to one in
trance...we walked elegantly to the the audience. What an experience! It was
stage. Our theme was a Philippine fi- really great… Our show was different...and
esta. Each song was interpreted in a that‟s why we stood out from the rest! And
dance form. The whole choir swayed to the crowd appreciated it!
the tune of Pandangguhan; Magnolia
Camat Bade, Minerva Barriga Apelo, It was truly a showcase of world music as
Lilibeth Flores, Yoly Galera, Anita Lo, printed in the flyers.
and Mynia Peńaranda danced to the
BENEFIT CONCERT…………..CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
This was followed by a choral of J. Estes‟ La Musique—with lyrics to remind us that
music brings such beauty to our lives. Next was a solo by soprano Magnolia Camat
with Anak Ng Dalita,a kundiman by F. Santiago. The evening continued with P.
Simon‟s Bridge Over Water performed by the male chorus.
Songs of Lost Love followed. Love Said Good-bye (N. Rota) was performed by tenor
Jessie Pascual. Lagi Kitang Na-ala-ala (L. Silos), a duet sung by Marivic Aplaon and
Amir Billones. This was followed by Greenfields (T. Gilkson, R. Dehr, F. Miller), a
double quartette by Raquel Estoque, Theresa Pasiolan, Lilibeth Flores, Gelyn Gaoay, Ruel Arevalo, Jun Diaz, Edward de las Alas and Gerald Castillo. A choral
rendition of My Heart Will Go On (J. Horner) from Titanic, ended the section.
Panday Tinig coordinator, Editha Fedalizo,
shown donating cheque of $1,120 to Ginette
Archambault, International Services‟ Officer, of
the Canadian International Red Cross.
During the offertory, two songs were rendered by the choir—God Made Our Hands
(J. Jackson, S. Miller) and I Believe (E. Drake, J. Shirl, A. Stillman, I. Graham).
Songs of Hope formed the last section of the benefit show. These included The Prayer (C. B. Sager & D. Foster) and May
Bukas Pa (C. Unite). Lastly, the choir sung the choral benediction, May The Good Lord Bless and Keep You (P. Lutkin).
Three guest artists performed during the benefit show. Dr. Gene Santander sang Kahit Kaunting Pagtingin and My Prayer.
Eric Coronado accompanied himself on the guitar, rendering Mahiwaga and Autumn Leaves. The latter included a pianoguitar duet by the guest himself and the pianist of Panday Tinig, Edith Fedalizo. Dr. Jonath an Santander, nephew of Dr. Gene
Santander performed Paraiso, a current pop favorite in Manila.
After the concert, merienda was served at the adjoining Cheney Hall where concertgoers had a tête-a-tête.
Thanks to all who shared their time and money for a good cause. The amount of $1,120.00 was donated to the tsunami
victims through the Canadian International Red Cross.
PAGE 8
VOLUME 9 NO. 1
TAMBULI
GINABE DEL CASTILLO HITS
THE RIGHT NOTES TO REACH
HER IMPOSSIBLE DREAM
PANDAY TINIG
CHORAL ENSEMBLE
EDITHA B. FEDALIZO
“Magandang gabi, bayan.” That was how Gina would greet the
Panday Tinig singers when she would come in late for rehearsals.
Everybody knew that Gina was a hard-working girl who would
come to rehearsals after a hard-day‟s work. Tired as she was, she
always managed to wear a bright smile in her face.
It did not take long from the time Gina left Panday Tinig when we
started seeing her advertisements, in local community
newspapers, as a real estate agent. During her visits to Panday
events, we noticed a change as she blossomed into a respectable GINABE DEL CASTILLO IN HER
professional in the community.
REAL ESTATE OFFICE IN MONTREAL
When I interviewed Gina for this feature article, I got to know about
her dreams, inspirations, and the drive behind the energy that
pushed her forward to reach what seemed like an impossible
dream.
when the church moved to St.
Denis, I joined the Panday
Tinig, thanks to Dante Alcaide
who recruited me,” she said.
Ginabe del Castillo was born in Santa Ana, Cagayan Valley,
Philippines. She is the middle child among 8 siblings—7 girls and 1
boy. All names of the seven girls were prefixed with “Gina”.
Ginabeth was Gina‟s actual name but complicated registration
procedures shortened that to Ginabe.
In Montreal, Gina worked as a
live-in caregiver for 2 1/2
years. “I did not mind it,” Gina
commented. “Being a live-in
caregiver enabled me to save
money,” she added. “But all
that time, deep in my heart, I
was determined that one day,
I wanted to uplift my family
back home,” she emphasized.
SOPRANOS:
Marivic Aplaon
Magnolia Camat-Bade
Jhay Santos-Dizon
Raquel Estoque
Elvie Flores
Mellie Francisco
Anita Lo
Theresa Pasiolan
Mynia Penaranda
Bellie Ramirez
Sahmee Roux
ALTOS:
Minerva Barriga-Apelo
Cely Datijan
Lilibeth Flores
Yolanda Galera
Juvy Galera
Gelyn Gao-ay
Marissa Meneses
Marina Ocumen
TENORS:
Ruel Arevalo
Pol Briones
Jun Diaz
Willie Gomez
Fernando Licarte
Jessie Pascual
BASSES:
Edward de las Alas
Dante Alcaide
Peter Apelo
Amir Billones
Gerald Castillo
Emmanuel Vivar
PIANIST:
Editha B. Fedalizo
MUSIC DIRECTOR:
Paul Imperial
Ginabe knew hard work since she was a child. At age 7, she was
already an expert in rice-producing processes, from planting, to
harvesting, to winnowing, etc. “It was our means of livelihood for
the entire family,” said Gina. “Although we owned a lot of land,”
she added, “our income was not enough to put us all through
Gina visited her aunts in
school.”
Calgary in 2001. “My aunts
As a strong-willed 12-year-old, Gina left home and moved to a are nurses who went into the
nearby town for her high school studies. “I was inspired by a real estate business,” Gina
cousin who studied in the town of Lallo,” Gina recalled. “She went said. “I was so impressed
that I went to real estate
on to become the national president of our student association.”
school after my visit with
Even at a very young age, Gina was already equipped with them.”
she like to accomplish, Gina
strategies on how to become self-supporting. She spent her
commented, “Naturally, I would
weekends earning money through gardening, laundering, or house Gina went on to become an like to have a family!”
-cleaning for teachers or soldiers who came home to their families. account representative in a
downtown office in Montreal. Gina‟s exemplary story is a
In college, Gina went to the Pamantasan ng Makati (University of At the same time, she joined message by itself to those who
Makati) and registered in the business school. To support herself, the real estate business. She are starting life in Montreal or
she did „money-remittance deliveries‟ across Luzon., from the has done very well. And the elsewhere. “Focus on what
northern provinces to the boundaries of Bicol/Quezon provinces. rest is history.
you want in life,” she said. “Be
She did this via public transportation. “I was fortunate to have an
persistent. Work hard and
aunt in Calgary who had the money to be able to do this kind of “I found my niche in real work smart. And when you do
estate, thanks to the help of well, be generous. The more
business—money remittance,” Gina explained.
my mentor” said Gina. “I am you help, the more blessings
After college, Gina went to Hongkong where she had a 2-year very grateful that I was able to will come your way. Go to
contract as a caregiver. “Completion of such contract was valued help four of my sisters finish school. Never stop learning.
as a certificate in caregiving”, Gina said . “And so, I did,” she their schooling. And now, I Watch for opportunities and
was able to bring my sister to grab them!”
added.
Montreal. I am also able to
When her 2-year contract in Hongkong was over, Gina‟s relatives help my family at home in the
in Calgary invited her to come to Canada. In 1998, Gina made it to Philippines,” she stated
Montreal. “Being new in Montreal, I was very lonely,” recalled Gina. proudly.
“I thought of singing, something I have always done since
childhood. I joined the Notre Dame des Neiges church choir, but When asked what else would