BANDA RITO, BANDA ROON

CCP Band and Orchestra Festival 2018

PARTICIPATING GROUPS
1. LASALLIAN YOUTH ORCHESTRA

The Lasallian Youth Orchestra is the

official orchestra of De La Salle
University that exudes distinctive quality
of string, wind and rhythmic
instruments, taking form in diverse
genres from classical, pop, and
contemporary to ethnic genres. The
creation and management of the
orchestra’s events and publicity are
made possible through its marketing
division and production division. The
group is duly-recognized as performing
arts group of the University, under the
direct supervision of the Culture and Arts
Office.

The Lasallian Youth Orchestra dedicates itself to being a globally competitive youth orchestra known for
its distinct ethno-symphonic music establishing Filipino culture that unites the nation through
leadership, service and quality performances. It is geared towards forming well grounded, service driven
creative artists and artist managers who will be able to effectively communicate the importance of
culture and arts in everyday life. The group enhances and exposes the capabilities and talents of
Lasallian student artists through local and international endeavors. It bears advocates of awareness of
the nation's social matters and reviving Filipino culture through socio-civic programs. Furthermore, the
group aims to promote relationships with different schools and companies for future collaborations and
promote the culture and arts through music collaborations

The Lasallian Youth Orchestra has been an organization of De La Salle University for the past 30 years
under different names. It was established by Br. Leon as the De La Salle College Band in 1948 and in the
80’s it evolved from a Musician’s Ensemble to a Marching Band and subsequently a DLSU Concert Band
with Maestro Eliezer San Felipe as its conductor, composing of the brass, woodwinds, rhythms as well as
the vocals section in 1988. With the inclusion of the strings section in 1995, it emerged as the first Pops
Orchestra in the Philippines which jumpstarted the successful careers of Princess Velasco (acoustic
singer and ASAP sessionista), Mark Escueta (Rivermaya), Anthony Dio (K24/7), JC Magsalin (Manila
Philharmonic Orchestra), Pango Sarreal (UP Jazz Ensemble) and many more. Alongside the Pops
Orchestra, the Chamber Ensemble, conducted by Maestro German de Ramos, Jr. was founded to cater
to the classical genre. In 2009, both groups merged to what is now the Lasallian Youth Orchestra with
Maestro German de Ramos, Jr as its Music Director and Resident Conductor.
The Lasallian Youth Orchestra is known for performing on and off campus. For the past 4 years, they
have performed abroad at the Face Camp Music Camp Prague, Czech Republic, International Drum
Festival, International Jazz Festival, International Arts Festival and ASEAN Universities Orchestra all held
in University of Malaysia.

GERMAN DE RAMOS, JR. conductor

German de Ramos Jr. started his musical

career at the age of 11 when he joined
the Band Uno of Pakil, Laguna. As a band
member, he participated on several
concerts and band competitions and
became a soloist of their band and other
bands from the region. Then at the age
of 21 he became the youngest
conductor in the history of their band.

He graduated from the University of

Santo Tomas Conservatory of Music
under the tutelage of Professors
Severino Ramirez and Dr. Alfonso
Mendoza of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra.

In 2003, he toured Japan for the premiere of the opera “Lord Takayama Ukon.” In the year 2004, he
joined the Band Festival with the UST Symphonic Band held in Taiwan and in June 2010, he performed at
the 8th ASEAN Youth Cultural Forum in National University of Singapore. That same year he performed
at the Esplanade in Singapore with Atlantis production and in 2011, he performed at Singapore with the
Manila Symphony Orchestra. In 2012, he participated in the Fine Arts Camp Europe held in Prague,
Czech Republic and that same year, he participated also in the International Drums Festival held in
University Kebangsaan Malaysia. In 2013, he took part in the International Jazz Festival, 2014 ASEAN
Arts Festival and 2015 ASEAN Universities Orchestra both held in University Kebangsaan Malaysia.

As a conductor, he studied conducting with Dr. Heminigildo Ranera of the UST Conservatory of Music.
He took master classes in conducting under Maestro David Fanal, Helen Quach, Dr. Francisco Feliciano
and Olivier Ochanine. He is a former member of the UST Symphony Orchestra, UST Symphonic Band,
UST Rondalla Ensemble, UST Jazz Band, and Manila Symphony Orchestra. He is a former faculty member
of St. Scholastica’s College of Music and UST Conservatory of Music extension class program.

He obtained his Master’s Degree in Theory Pedagogy at St. Paul University Manila, Principal
Conductor/Music Director of Banda Uno Pakil, Laguna and Music Director/Resident Conductor of the
Lasallian Youth Orchestra. He also took some units in Doctor of Philosophy in Music at the University of
the Philippines, Diliman.
2. SAN BEDA COLLEGE ALABANG SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Fr. Manuel P. Maramba, OSB founded

the SBCA Symphony Orchestra
(formerly known as the St. Benedict
College Band) in the year 1997. This
was a proposal given to the former
rector, Fr. Tarcisio Ma. H. Narciso
wherein a collaboration of 60 talented
members from the grade school, high
school and college departments
organized as a group with Mr.
Emmanuel Bacarra, its first conductor.
From 2004-2008, Mrs. Daisy S.
Barcelona continued the legacy as its
new conductor. The band grew and
nurtured its musical potentials. Under her, the band was able to stage its first annual concert in 2007.

In 2008, under Mr. Melvin C. Rioveros, the band was transformed into a chamber orchestra with its new
name, SBCA Chamber Orchestra. Since then, the orchestra has been rendering various performances
most especially in the institutional Santo Niño Festival which is celebrated by the Bedan community
every January. The continuous musical growth of the students is being sustained through several
workshops received from prominent musicians in the Philippines such as Prof. Gerry Brondial, Fr.
Benildus Maramba, OSB, Prof. Rodel Colmenar, Prof. Herminigildo Ranera, and Mr. Gerard Salonga.

In 2013, with the orchestra’s new name, San Beda College Alabang Symphony Orchestra (SBCASO), came
new performance invitations to perform at several events in the metro such as the Digital New Awards
held at the Bellevue Hotel, concerts at the Alabang Town Center as one of its regular performers,
invitations from hotels around the Alabang area, collaborations with the University of Santo Tomas
Symphony Orchestra (USTSO) and the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO) and the annual concerts
performed at the prominent performance venues in the metro such as the Tanghalang Haribon, Insular
Life Alabang, Alabang Town Center and the most recent, the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo of the
Cultural Center of the Philippines wherein, they have been performing since 2016. hese performances
became the orchestra’s venue to continuously develop musicality of the Bedan homegrown talents.

At present, the orchestra produces quality musicians and inspires its own members towards pursuing a
musical career and being part of the college and professional orchestras including the University of
Santo Tomas Symphony Orchestra (USTSO), De La Salle Symphony Orchestra (DLSU), Ateneo Blue
Symphony (ADMU) and Manila Symphony Orchestra (MSO) and the world renowned, Philippine
Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO).

MELVIN CUASAY RIOVEROS, conductor

Melvin Cuasay Rioveros holds a degree in Bachelor of Music Major in Music Education and French
Horn from the University of Santo Tomas Conservatory of Music. He was mentored by several notable
musicians in the Philippines such as Prof. Herminigildo Ranera, Fr. Benildus Maramba, OSB, Prof. Rodel
Colmenar and Prof. Gerard Salonga to name a few. He received a full scholarship from UST as a member
of the UST Symphonic Band and the UST Symphony Orchestra from 1999 – 2005. He still performs the
 with USTSO during alumni concerts as a guest performer. He has
been teaching music for ten years and has successfully led the San Beda
College Alabang Symphony Orchestra (SBCASO) to greater heights since
his posting as conductor since 2008. Under his baton, the orchestra was
mainly featured at the Tanghalang Haribon, Insular Life Alabang,
Alabang Town Center, and the recent third annual concert at the
Tanghalang Nicanot Abelardo (CCP Main Theater), Cultural Center of
the Philippines together with the other performing groups of the
institution to name a few. He teaches, mentors, and handles the
spcializations of each of the members of the SBCA Symphony Orchestra
to encourage each member’s passion in performing and sharing music
to the wider audience. Furthermore, He is also the music director,
arranger and conductor of the Lighthouse Chamber Orchestra. He is
also the music arranger for Lighthouse Theater Philippines’ musical
theater production entitled “Ilaya”. He continues to shine as an
accomplished musician, teacher and music arranger, as well as a
competent conductor.

3. NPO SEVEN SPIRIT KIDS ORCHESTRA (Cebu)

Seven Spirit is Japanese a non-profit and non-

sectarian organization. The name taken from the
belief of lucky number seven, which carries joy
and happiness, in which they would like to pursue
in helping children in the Philippines specifically
the children in Cebu. The organization aims to
enhance the potential talents of children
especially in Music and Sports; thus the
organization is giving free Music lessons and
Sports to children with instruments.

Learning music and sports enhances personal

and social development of children to become a
better individual in the future; as well as helping
them to stay away from influence of drugs, crimes, violence and etc that are prevalent in their
community.

MASAAKI NAGATA, conductor

REYDON ENCINARES, conductor
4. MANILA SYMPHONY JUNIOR ORCHESTRA

The Manila Symphony Junior Orchestra

(MSJO) is the youth orchestra program of the
Manila Symphony Orchestra, established in
2014. It is composed of advanced students of
the MSO Music Academy and other qualified
students ages 8 to 18 years old. Under the
baton of Prof. Jeffrey Solares, the MSJO
performs Classical, Baroque, and Filipino
compositions.

The MSJO has hosted the annual MSO

Summer Music Camp in Puerto Galera in
2015, in Baguio City in 2016, and in Tagaytay
City in 2017.

Recently, the MSJO won second place at the 11th Summa Cum Laude International Youth Festival in
Vienna, Austria, besting other youth orchestras from around the world.

JEFFREY R. SOLARES, conductor

Jeffrey Solares is one of of the most active figure in promoting classical

music in the Philippines in his varied role as violinist, conductor,
educator, music arranger, concert host and builder of orchestras.

His formal training in music started when he was accepted as a scholar

in the Philippine High School for the Arts, a special school for young
artists based in Mount Makiling, Laguna, where he graduated in 1990
as Class Valedictorian. He pursued a Bachelor of Music degree at the
St. Scholastica’s College under Prof. Basilio Manalo and Prof. Arturo
Molina. Upon graduation he was asked to go to Cebu to help establish
and develop the Cebu Youth Symphony Orchestra and the Peace
Philharmonic Philippines Chamber Players.

In 2005 he returned to Manila and for a time was the Resident

Conductor of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO) at the
Cultural Center of the Philippines. He then joined the string faculty of
the University of Santo Tomas, St. Scholastica’s College and the Philippine High School for the Arts.

At present he is the executive director and associate conductor of the Manila Symphony Orchestra
(MSO), one of the oldest orchestras established in Asia. His major responsibility is to develop a network
of support for this orchestra and help it reach higher levels of artistic excellence and audience reach
through its annual MSO Gala Concert Series in major concert venues in Metro Manila and the MSO Rush
Hour Concerts at Ayala Museum.

In 2014 he helped establish the MSO Music Academy and started its youth orchestra project, the Manila
Symphony Junior Orchestra (MSJO). He helps in training teachers for the MSO Music Academy and he
has also helped establish various orchestra programs Tacloban, Naga, Lipa and in Cagayan de Oro City.
He continues to pursue formal training in the Suzuki Method, a specialized approach to teaching music
for young children.

5. PHILIPPINE BATON TWIRLING ASSOCIATION

6. PHILBANDA

The PhilBanda, Inc., a non-profit

registered organization duly
approved by the Securities and
Exchange Commission (SEC) with
Company Reg. No. CN 201113216
and Company TIN 008 094 778 was
formally organized by Dr.
Herminigildo G. Ranera, Jose Jerry P.
Samonte, and other band
personalities on July 28, 2011.

The initial involvement of Prof.

Herminigildo Ranera with the Asia-
Pacific Band Directors Association (APBDA) was on Dec. 28, 1984 when the Philippine hosted the APBDA
Conference. During this conference, he had the privilege, as a young 23-year old conductor, to interpret
the composition of Col. Geronimo Torres with the Philippine Constabulary Band at the CCP as part of the
Finale Concert of the conference. In 1984, long drought of the Philippine participation was brought
about by the unfortunate inactivity of Band Association in the 90’s due to leadership vacuum in its
rosters of leaders and conductors. Nevertheless, the local band scene continued to flourish despite the
absence of a central body to coordinate their joint activities in the national scale. International
involvement started again in 2002 when the UST Wind Orchestra (USTWO) participated in the 4th Asian
Band Festival and competition in Bangkok, Thailand. During the competition, Prof. Ranera was able to
meet Prof. Yeh Shu-han of Taiwan who referred him to Mr. Toshio Akiyama of Japan and other officers
of the APBDA. This was the turning point for a renewed Philippine linkage with its Asian neighbors as it
led to his next meeting with the APBDA in Jeju, South Korea in 2003. A year later (2004), Prof. Ranera
and the USTWO participated in the Chiayi City International Band Festival in Taiwan. In September 2005,
He organized the 1st UST Band Festival. Participating groups included the leading symphonic bands of
Manila and its neighboring cities. A subsequent Band Festival was organized in 2006 and again in 2009.

In 2007, the encouraging support and interest in the UST Band Festival precipitated a gathering of band
conductors in Manila, prompting them to organize a new group known as the Philippine Band
Confederation. Due to numerous seasons, it took five years before the group fulfilled the requirements
towards a formal accreditation with the local Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) as a legal entity.
Through the effort of Mr. Jose Jerry Samonte together with Mr. Ariel Sta. Ana and some other PPO
members, the Philippine Band Confederation with a new name “PhilBanda” was finally registered in July
28, 2011.
HERMINIGILDO G. RANERA, conductor

Herminigildo G. Ranera graduated from the UST Conservatory of

Music with a Bachelor of Music degree, majoring in the fields of
Trombone and Theory, Master of Music degree in Conducting
from the University of Northern Colorado (with the Deans's
citation for Graduate Excellence and National graduate Award.)
and the Doctor of Philosophy major in Educational Management
from the Cagayan State University.

A multi-awarded performer, he was a Three-time prize winner of

the National Music Competition for Young Artists (NAMCYA) in
1982 and 1983 as a performer in Trombone,Baritone and Tuba
(Chamber Music) categories. He was a prize-winner of the 1983
League of Filipino Composers Competition for Young Composers,
collaborating with fellow composer, Fr. Manuel P. Maramba,
O.S.B. for various productions of the CCP.

Among his conducting mentors were Bernardino Custodio, Duilio

Dubrin, Kenneth Singleton, David Mackenzie, Piero Gamba,
Salvador Mas Conde at the Konservatium Wien Privatuniversitat,
and Redentor Romero.

His orchestral arrangements have been featured in the CD albums of Redentor Romero featuring the
Moscow Symphony Orchestra and the Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra. His recent recording Symphonic
Winds with the UST Symphony Band features him in multiple roles as conductor, composer, and
orchestra arranger.

As an orchestra conductor, he has led the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, CSULB Symphony
Orchestra, Chia-yi Wind Orchestra, Manila Philharmonic, San Miguel Philharmonic and the UST
Symphony Orchestra, as well as the Transylvania Philharmonic Orchestra in Club, Romania with
international and local artists such as Alexander Tomescu, Tian Jiang, Maki Hirasawa, Theo Mertens,
Zoltan Szabo, Nena Del Rosario-Villanueva, Fr. Manuel Maramba, Leonor Kilayko, Reynaldo Reyes,
Rowena Arrieta and Raul M. Sunico.

As an Opera conductor, he was the musical director and conductor of the 2005 Philippine Opera
Company's OPERA NOW! with 30 of the country's top artists performing best loved opera arias with the
PPO, the 2006 Tchaikovsky's Eugene Onegin production (Philippine Premiere) , the 2008 production of
Johann Strauss Jr.'s operetta, Die Fledermaus, and the 2010 production of Mascagni’s Cavalleria
Rusticana.

He has been invited as guest lecturer, resident composer and guest conductor in Asia and the United
States. He is affiliated with the Conductor's Guild International and board member of the Asia-Pacific
Band Directors Association.

Presently teaching at the UST Conservatory of Music, Dr. Ranera is the conductor of the UST Symphony
Orchestra and Wind Orchestra. In 2003, he was chosen as a Dangal Awardee (most outstanding faculty),
Performing Arts Category by the University of Santo Tomas and the 2006 Patnubay ng Sining at
Kalinangan Awardee for Music given by the City of Manila. He is also the music director of the Philippine
Coast Guard Symphonic Band (with the rank of Commander) , San Juan Nepomuceno Band and
associate conductor of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra. Dr.Ranera is the 2014 and 2015 Aliw
Awardee for his contribution in the field of music as conductor,composer,arranger and educator.

7. TAYTAY YOUTH SYMPHONIC BAND (Rizal)

The Band was conceptualized on January of

2016. They started teaching young aspiring
musicians in the summer of 2016, with kids
aging from 8 to 17 years old.

A year after, breakthrough their inaugural

concert last February 20, 2017 having more
than 60 youth members.

MISSION AND VISION:

 To mold and teach each and every
youth in the community as much as possible
in order to keep them away from bad habits
and vices such as the influence of illegal
drugs, smoking cigarettes and gambling.
 To hone young deserving musicians in preparation for possible college scholarships through major
college and university band memberships.
 To inculcate and instill the importance of discipline to our children so as to contribute values
oriented professionals, responsible and purpose driven citizens to our community as well as the
whole country.
MOTTO: Discipline above everything.

8. GENERAL TRIAS YOUTH SYMPHONIC BAND (Cavite)

9. ANG MUSIKERONG BATANGUEÑO (Batangas)

10. SILLIMAN UNIVERSITY BAND (Dumaguete City)

11. ST. SCHOLASTICA’S COLLEGE WIND ORCHESTRA

After the 1st St. Scholastica’s College (SSC)

Wind Workshop was held in the summer
of 2015, the SSC Wind Orchestra came
into being. Prof. Felicito Sacdalan, its
conductor, envisions the group being
brought together to promote
camaraderie, discipline and excellence in
music-making, while SSC Dean of Music
Sr. Agnella Capili, OSB, welcomes this new
development to strengthen the winds and
outreach programs of the school.

The Concert at the Park debut of the SSC

Wind Orchestra in June 2017 followed the
resounding success of the 1st SSC Youth
Orchestra Festival held in 2017, which put
together the talents of a little less than 200 young musicians from Luzon and the Visayas, with Prof.
Sacdalan as one of its festival conductors.

12. SAN MARCOS BAND 92 (Navotas)

San Marcos Band ‘92 is located at 68 San

Marcos St., Navotas City and was
established on June 1992. Owned by the
late Dra. Esmeralda D. Calingal. Dra.
Calingal is a medical doctor who has a
heart for the needy. Aiming for less
fortunate children to be able to finish
their studies and have better lives, she
established San Marcos Band ’92 together
with her brother Fernando “Boy” Calingal
who took charge in teaching those who
are eager to learn about music.
Throughout our 25 years of existence, we were able to change many lives. Most of our members have
completed their studies without having to pay for expensive tuition fees because they were qualified to
be Band Scholars in different Universities. Some of them are lucky enough to become part of the
Philippine Navy, Philippine Air Force, Philippine Army and Bureau of Fire Protection in the present. Our
present conductor is Mr. Ederic Sampedro who is a member of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra
from 2004 up to the present.

EDERIC SAMPEDRO, conductor

13. SASMUAN BAND 31 (Pampanga)

Culled from reliable sources and credible

accounts of early folks in Sasmuan, Band 31
was initially organized more or less in the
later part of 18th century with its first
name “BAND UNO UNION OBRERO”. The
band was under the able watch of Faustino
Dela Cruz Vincente, a native from Barangay
Sta. Lucia who is widely known to his
nickname “Apung Paustino Dela Cruz
Vicente, a native from Barangay Sta. Lucia
who was then the “camadero” (band
manager). Whereas, its “maestro” (band
leader) at the time was Juan Umlas Castro
of the same barangay who was acclaimed
and known to the local residents as having an inborn talent in music.

Apung Patcho`s management to the band was succeeded by Francisco Mangalindan`s clan of Barangay
Sta. Monica with its new band name “BAND UNO DE TABACALERA”. With was in the year 1931, wherein
the new band management was under the stewardship of Jose Mangalindan formally and officially
organized with less than thirty (30) members and started to use the name Band 31. Most of its original
members were predominated by Isip`s and Aguilar`s family. Maestro Victor Leonardo of Pasay City stood
as the band leader then who have to go first in Sasmuan everytime the band will hold its “cademia” or
band practice at the time. Sometimes they have to fetch him in Pasay City and bring him in Sasmuan for
practice but oftentimes maestro Leonardo was not available due to some earlier commitment and
engagement. In the year 1950, this adverse situation of the band had motivated the Isip`s clan to send
one of its siblings Professor Alex Ma. Isip to the Conservatory of Music at the University of Sto. Tomas
and took up conducting studies. Since then, he became the resident conductor and/or band leader of
Band 31. In fact, Band 31 has become one of the most popular and regarded as the oldest brass band in
the Philippines for it has been in existence for one and half century.

At present, Band 31 is composed of more or less one hundred new breed of multi – talented musicians
who are mostly great and great grandchildren of the original and pioneer founding members of Band
Uno Union Obrero. The band has been well known and gained its fame, popularity and prominence from
various towns and provinces, and even from other band musicians in the land because of its fascinating
charm in rendering melodious and quality music, from classical, solo, modern and other variety of music,
“and you name it” , so to speak, that will surely satisfy the discriminating taste of any music lover and
certainly capture the delight and listening pleasure of serenata aficionados. Likewise, in its “a dime, a
dozen” years of existence, Band 31 has been recipient of several awards and won may prizes especially
in band concert (serenata) competitions owing to the fact that they could not be matched or outdo by
other band in their rendition and superb performance. To buttress these assertions, the following
compositions and arrangements of the band’s most illustrious leaders are still being played and
performed by other band musicians throughout the entire country though not legally copyrighted under
the law on intellectual property:
 Maestro Victor Leonardo’s “Poem – Solo Trombone” , “Tipitipitim – Solo Tuba”
 Matias Aguilar’s “Angustia”, “Katakataka – Solo Clarinet”, “Sa Libis ng Nayon – Solo Alto Sax”, “Bakya
mo Neneng – Solo Trumpet”, “Juliet”, “Dahil Sa Iyo”
 Alex Ma. Isip’s “Linda’, “Conaliza”, “Nessie”

Noteworthy as well are the countless arrangements of Maestro Matias Aguilar for “Pasyon” and
“Zarzuelas” in collaboration with famed Kapampangan zarzuela composer, Emilio Beltran.

Presently, the band continues its strive for musical excellence with Maestro Marlon Agapito of the UP
Conservatory of Music, Maestro Allan Simbul of UST Conservatory of Music and Maestro Hercules
Santiago of the UP Conservatory of Music serving as its resident conductors. To keep abreast its
members to ever changing trend and genre of music, and further to maintain its own signature and
preserve its identity in the vast fields of music, Band 31 tirelessly, relentlessly and constantly holds
regular band practice (cademia) because it upholds and believes the old proverbial saying that,
“constant practice make perfect”.

14. BANDA SAMPAGUITA (San Pedro, Laguna)

Banda Sampaguita and later known

as Sampaguita Wind Ensemble of
San Pedro City, Laguna was
established on June 15, 2005. The
band was formed and organized on
the order of Mr. Marvin Villanueva
Espino, a flute, saxophone,
sousaphone player and also a
musical arranger.

The band is composed of veterans

and young talented musicians truly dedicate their timeless effort in practice and each every aspect of
several band performances.

Discipline, Synchronized, Dynamics oriented are major aspects observed of each members of Banda
Sampaguita.

Banda Sampaguita is often invited to perform in several towns of Calabarzon areas with the like of Band
Parade Competition, Town Fiestas Parade, Serenata, Mall Concert and other special occasions.
With friends and fellow musicians, the band aims to help the youth to enhance their talent in playing
instruments to help them support their studies through college.
For the past 13 years, this band continues to help the youth and promote culture through music.

MARVIN V. ESPINO, conductor

A conductor and performer of Banda Sampaguita, he studied at Sta. Isabel

College Manila Conservatory of Music under the tutelage of National Artist
for Music Maestro Lucio D. San Pedro and Professor Agripino Diestro.

Marvin has quite a number of musicals to his credit such as Gianni Schicchi
and Madama Butterfly by Giacomo Puccini.