“MUSIKA ang buhay na aking tinataglay, Ito rin ang dahilan kung ba’t ako naglalakbay.” (Ang Buhay Ko – Asin)
Yes, you read it right. Music keeps one moving forward as described by Asin in its ditty.
Former hospital chief Dr. Mutya Tirol and multi-talented singer-songwriter Joseph Gara discovered that the old-fashion rondalla or komparsa is on the verge of extinction.
But Gara was quick to propose to bring back into life the rondalla or komparsa, an old-fashioned form of band of music players, using the banjo, ukelele, guitar, and even wind instruments in trumpet and others.
And Tirol readily agreed and asked what she can do/help for it during their recent conversation.
When Tirol asked, what really happened, Gara said they maybe did not evolve.
And Tirol added that is it, perhaps, it lacks motivation, or inspiration, adding to the fact that like any province in the country, Bohol has been heavily influenced by western and other mode of music.
Gara minced no words of proposing to make Tagbilaran as City of Music as part of the UNESCO thrusts.
This is very possible thru the sound of ‘komparsa’ revival and sustainable activities related to music or producing music.
Gara said that the fusion of traditional and modern music may be done that somehow it may be a therapeutic for mental health problem.
He said that Bohol is probably the only place where it has various hymns. It is a fact and practice that before any program would start, everybody is bound to sing the Bohol Hymn, after which the city or town official anthem, aside from mandatory singing of the national anthem.
Bohol still has the world renown the Loboc Children’s Choir, The Dimiao Children’s Rondalla, the Alicia Bamboo Ensemble and sectoral or school-based groupings of singers.
Just lately the Candungao rondalla is making rounds and trending in its posting in social media that may spark the komparsa reactivation. (rvo)
