Hong Kong Pays Tribute To 60 Years Of Filipino Musicians In The Territory

29 November 2005

A major concert honoring the contributions and achievements of Filipino musicians in Hong Kong for the last 60 years was held on 20 November 2005 with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as a surprise guest.

Dubbed “A Tribute to Filipino Musicians in Hong Kong: Six Decades of Music and Entertainment,” the concert featured Filipino bands and musicians, some in their ‘70s and 80’s, in an emotional reunion of senior and popular artists during the five-hour show at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre’s  Piazza.

The musicians, performers and honorees were surprised and turned teary-eyed when President Arroyo made an unannounced appearance at the stage to personally greet them and thank the Hong Kong government for recognizing the talent of Filipino musicians.

The core group who co-organized the event said that it was the first time a President greeted the annual concert.

The President likewise viewed the photo exhibition recounting the experiences of the Filipino musicians in Hong Kong from the 1940s up to the present. After the concert, the photo exhibition was transferred to the Philippine Consulate General’s premises, which will continue until 31 December 2005.

This year’s concert involved the active cooperation of Filipino musicians in Hong Kong with Mr. Nicki Flores, Mr. Dodie Marcelo, Mr. Alex Canda, Mr. Armando Manlangit and Mr. Jun Santiago composing the core group.   

The concert started with the Pinoy Music Provider’s opening salvo of popular tunes from the 1940s to the 1960s. Its guest performers, Ms. Lita Carrillo wowed the crowd with her jazz rendition of the song “On a Clear Day” while Mr. Berry Yaneza, blowing the trumpet at age 78, delighted the crowd with his rendition of “What’s New”.    

The all-male Akostika band and Mr. Alex Ahongon and His Miga International band played songs from the 1970s. Popular tunes from the 1980s were performed by the Absolute 5 Band as well as the father and son tandem of Mr. Filemon Corpus, who still plays the violin at the age of 82 and his son, Ernie, a pianist.  They played the classic Filipino love song “Dahil Sa Iyo”, easily one of the big Sunday crowd’s favorite. The older Corpus’ violin performance was unique as he combined music and showmanship to entertain the audience.  

Jazz numbers from the 1990s to 2000 were performed by Mr. Bading Tuason and his Jazz Band while Mr. Alex Canda and the Websight Band played OPM and concluded the show by singing the finale number “Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika” with audience participation. 

The concert, one of the Philippine Consulate General’s major annual projects in partnership with the Leisure and Cultural Services Department of Hong Kong, was so enjoyable that the audience – Filipinos, local Chinese and other nationalities, did not want it to end.  

The popular DJs of Good Evening Kabayan’s program on Hong Kong commercial radio, Mr. Stan Yumang, Mr. Mel Lirio, Jr., and Mr. EJ Emata, were the program hosts during the event.

Sponsors of the concert included BPI Remittance Centre (HK) Ltd., PNB Remittance Centre Ltd., AFreight (Asia Pacific) Ltd., Little Quiapo Restaurant, Jollibee (HK) Ltd., and San Miguel Brewery (HK) Ltd.