PHL officials from Chicago hold 'kundiman' for Rizal

Published July 4, 2011 2:25pm

Philippine officials in Chicago held a "kundiman" (Filipino love song) concert last week in honor of national hero Dr. Jose Rizal on his 150th birth anniversary. According to a news release of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the Philippine Consulate General in Chicago and the Chicago Public Library hosted the concert entitled "Kundiman, Alay Kay Rizal." "The concert was a one-man monologue interspersed with visual and musical numbers from some of the best opera-trained Filipino singers based in Chicago at the prestigious Cindy Pritzker Auditorium of the Harold Washington Library Center on June 28," the DFA said. The kundiman was conceptualized and directed by former Tanghalang Pilipino's Actors Company member Olga Natividad and monologue written by Malou Jacob. Those who starred in the show were:

international Filipino actor Jay EspaÃ±o as Jose Rizal;

sopranos Rachel Renee, Judy Seghers, and Rica Goldyn;

tenor Joachim Luis;

baritone Karrel Bernardo;

Karl Rodriguez was on piano, while

Esther Hana was playing for the opening act. The group sang a repertoire of 17 songs including Filipino favorites "Hatinggabi," "Dahil Sa Iyo," "Balut Penoy," "Kalesa," "Felipe de Leon's Hindi Karuwagan na ang Ulo'y Iyuko," "Lahat Sila'y Magtatapos, Awit sa Gabing Madilim," "Kay Tamis Mabuhay sa Sariling Bayan" and "Mamamatay Akong Di na Makikita." Last year, the same group performed at the Shedd Aquarium, one of the premier aquariums in the world that also houses the permanent exhibit of the Philippine coral reef. - VVP, GMA News

Tags: chicago, unitedstates, joserizal