Editorial board
Blue sound 2015
Of Telling Stories, Death, and Flight
Regarding music writing, or writing about music.
After having written a few music-related articles here and there in the past four years - whether about musicians, their personalities, collectives, or the music industry as a whole - I've stumbled upon a lot of roadblocks, the largest of which is finding the relevance of what I do.
Who reads my work, and finds it important? The artist usually finds personal fulfillment in their art, and receiving praise (or constructive criticism) for it only comes as a convenience. You're appreciated, of course, and if you're lucky, you're seen as a huge help in promoting the artist's craft. The fans, on the other hand, almost always prefer material that comes from the artists themselves, the people they adore - whether it's the music, or a written piece, an autobiography, a tweet or a Facebook status.
In a world where artists can connect to listeners and vice versa, what is the role of the music writer? Are we now supposed to act as connoisseurs for good music? (Who gets to say which music is good, anyway?) Are we supposed to make it as personal as possible and harbor the "if they like it, they'll read it; if they don't, they won't and I don't care" attitude? Is there a middle ground?
In the end, of course it all boils down to the writer's personal style and motivations, but I believe this is something that's worth asking and at the very least talked about.
Blue Sound 2015 aims to present the local music industry in a light you probably haven't seen before, or more appropriately, against the light of a dying art form brought from the West to our Eastern shores. Is Philippine Classical Music dead? I'll spoil you and already say that we never answer this question. It is, however, our goal to present the current state of the industry in the best way we know how - through music writing. Through this, we hope that beyond giving information, our pieces can strike a chord in heartstrings and help you become curious, or start asking questions about the scene, or actually live the scene, for those who are called toward it.
We've already head that Filipinos are a very talented bunch - whether in music, film, visual art, etc. (possibly with the exception of governance, just possibly). Here we present how this overflow of talent, among other factors, is actually a reason why classical music in the Philippines may dwindle, but never truly die.
Besides, just as the cliche goes, when we're down, there's no way to go but up. Happy reading!
Jennicka Rhea N. Leorag
BS Management Engineering
Minor in Music Literature
2015
Rhea Leorag, Editor-In-Chief
From the time she discovered that there's more to the local music industry than what she hears on the radio, Rhea has vowed to live her life in pursuit of making a change in the industry. A Senior BS Management Engineering major, minoring in Music Literature; she also serves as Associate Editor for Matanglawin - the Official School Publication of Ateneo tackling socio-political issues. She's currently a member of the Ateneo Musician's Pool, an intern for Amplify.PH - a website for events that showcase the brilliance of the local music industry.
Miggoy Patajo, Associate Editor
Miguel Domingo B. Patajo, better known as Miggoy by his family and friends, was born in Quezon City, Philippines in the year 1993 and has resided here for the entire 21 years of his life to date. He considers his alma mater, Ateneo de Manila University, to have played an essential role in his formation, and has been a faithful student of this school for almost 16 years now. Although he will be graduating with a degree in Management Economics this coming March, he believes that it is his passion for music rather than his course which will dictate the way he proceeds. He was awarded the Loyola Schools Awards for the Arts, in the category Musical Peformance.
Alexa Sienes, Graphics and Layout Editor
Alexa Sienes is a 19 year old BS Health Sciences senior with eclectic music taste. Her parents enrolled her in voice, ballet, and piano when she was seven, but she decided she liked the piano best because her face wouldn't be seen in performances. She also took violin lessons for a while before college and tried to teach herself guitar, but both instruments gave up on her. She is now an amateur pianist, moonlighting as an accompanist for Ateneo Blue Repertory and other gigs. An aspiring doctor, she aims to never forget about her artistic interests, and will always insist that she can live with both art and science, no matter the time and energy cost.
Kim Co, Graphics and Layout Editor
Most passionate in the field of music, Kim is a sophomore taking up a minor in Music Literature along with her major in BS Management. She is very enthusiastic in sharing what she loves most to others. Every weekend, she does this through teaching Saturday voice lessons to children along with an organization called Musikero, and Sunday School to pre-schoolers aged four to five. Kim is a t her happiest when she gets to surround herself with what she loves - may it be developing in her passion through the Ateneo Musicians' Pool, creating and experimenting with works of typography, or eating pancakes.
Miko Velasco, Managing Editor
Miko is a 4th year green-blooded, blue-minded BS Management major who loves to help others discover their passion for music. When Miko was 16, he was taught by a local pianist named Jun on how to play the piano and the guitar. After that, his father taught him how to play the harmonica and he taught himself how to play the ukulele. Now, Miko teaches said instruments to abused children every Saturday through an organization called Musikero. Though it is not an easy task, he finds fulfillment whenever he is able to share the gift of music to others.
Contributors
Argyll Bongosia
Argyll grew up in a musical family. Having learned the flute at 11 years old from a UST Conservatory alumna, Les Paul Singson, Argyll has struggled to perform numerous works for Flute from Classical to Modern jazz compositions. He is currently taking BS Health Scienes in preparation for medical school. As a member of the Ateneo Blue Symphony, Argyll is also an orchestral and an advocate of Philippine music He was awarded the Loyola Schools Awards for the Arts, in the categories: Musical Arrangement and Performance.
Aliza Igualada
A senior Biology major, she started taking formal music lessons at the age of nine. She is currently an alto, a pianist, and a conductor of the Ateneo Dorm Ministry Committee Choir. Someday, she wants to become who not only treats physical illnesses but also helps others find spiritual healing in God through music.
Vince Justiniano
Vince is an IS student under the Management Information Systems and Multimedia tracks. He practices guitar and electric bass, and recently has been starting to learn about sound recording and processing. He managed the Touhou no Yuujin (Japanese Pop Culture) Org band for some performances in the last year as the 2nd head. He wishes to improve his video game commentary skills in the near future, as well.
Michael Luanzon
Mike is a junior majoring in Interdisciplinary Studies with tracks in Management and Psychology. Having grown up in a grade shool that emphasizes the value of multiple intelligence, Mike enjoys pursuing various interests; leading him to learn how to play the guitar and the ukulele off the internet, try out writing and performing spoken word poetry, as well as sports such as badminton, table tennis, and basketball. Other than his love and appreciation for music, Mike has also recently gotten into theater, having been part of Tanghalang Ateneo's trainee production Ang Bakkhai, and helping out with their other more recent productions.
Owie Portillo
Gelano L. Portillo is a junior college student taking up AB Interdisciplinary Studies with tracks in Management and Psychology. His hobbies include playing basketball and collecting sneakers. Although he only has limited experience when it comes to playing instruments, as he only learned to play the guitar back in grade school without any formal training, he is still fond of listening to most contemporary works, especially those in the hip-hop and R&B genres. He is currently an active member of TUGON Ateneo, an organization which aims to spread awareness on child abuse and abandonment.
Isa Varilla
Isa Varilla is a third year AB Interdisciplinary Studies student taking up tracks in Communications and Psychology. She studied in Saint Pedro Poveda College before entering Ateneo, where she discovered her love for the sport Cheerleading. Though she retired after her freshman year in college, she came back after a year and helped the All-Girl Philippine Cheerleading team at the Olympics of cheerleading, International Cheerleading Union. She is currently still training with the Philippine National Team during weekends and spends her weekdays in school helping her student organization, Tugon. During her free time, she likes to occasionally rekindle her love for playing the piano or leisurely listens to hip-hop and R&B.
Pomz Campos
Gisela Felice Campos is a Junior taking up Interdisciplinary Studies with tracks in Creative Writing and Management. In addition to her academic life, she is alos part of the Ateneo Musicians' Pool and Musikero. She has done different kinds of vocals over the past years.
Franklin Ramos
Frank is a 4th year Life Sciences student specializing in Microbiology, aspiring to be a doctor, In high school, he was a member and was the organizaztion head of the Ateneo High School's II Voce, a pop-genre group mentored by Mrs. Maria Vizconde-Roldan. In college, during his free time, he covers hit songs with the help of his friends, usually toning them down to an acoustic version,
Jomar Ang
His mother had him learn to play the violin at the age of 9. Shortly after she heard him practice in the corridor, she asked him to end his musical career.
Mike Mariano
A senior taking up AB IS with tracks in Communications and Psychology. Michael is a Muay Thai practitioner who is a member of Muay Thai Ateneo and has competed in the amateur level. He also has lived inside a gym for two weeks in Thailand to train. In addition to this, Mike is also fascinated with astrology.
Karlo Santos
Karlo is currently part of the Ateneo Men's Volleyball Team. He is a junior taking up AB Interdisciplinary Studes with tracks in Psychology and Communications. He is a frustrated singer. He loves to listen to different kinds of music, It is his way of forgetting all his problems for a while listening to music. Karlo did not have time to join organizations in school because of his class and training schedule. However, he is part of the Ateneo Volleyball Camp held in the Ateneo Grade School covered courts every Sunday, where they teach children to develop their passion in volleyball.
Chinny Daez
Chinny was homeschooled under an American curriculum for most of her primary education. She is currently a third year college student, taking up Interdisciplinary Studies with tracks in Communications and Psychology. She likes reading, writing, traveling, and listening to all kinds of music. She is also a part of AISEC - the biggest youth organization in the world focused on leadership and social impact.
Nathania Pineda
Thania grew up with an exploring and curious mind. She tried out many things and activities throughout her childhood including taekwondo, ballet, painting, and music as well. She was taught by her mother to play the piano and to sing, which allowed her to become part of the parish and school choir in high school. Her father, being a drummer and guitarist for a band way back in his college years, taught her how to play guitar as well as handle the drums, the latter enabling her to become part of the Blue Babble Band. Years ago, however, she has found her love for science, and she is pursuing medical school after college. She hopes to occasionally seek peace and calmness in music and art, in the busy setting of science.