Childhood Memories - Music

Music was a family addiction - band music, that is. The day before the fiesta, Tata Angel Fontillas, Father’s favorite cousin from San Narciso, would arrive. There would be long talks on the porch - presumably on music - what bands would arrive. Father would always be at the town entrance to welcome the marching bands. Invariably, we would host a meal for the band and be rewarded by a serenade of some pieces.

A close neighbor was the home of Banda 27, the best marching town band in the province. Most of the members were generations of the Mauricio family, headed by Alfonso Mauricio. We would listen through the night as each musician learned to play the piece on his instrument, at times interrupted by the loud prodding of the band master, Mr. Jose Peralta. We, children, listened in bed while Father sat on his rocking chair by the window, puffing his pipe until the wee hours when the practice ended for the town fiesta.

A lively march would be presented with fancy drill formation. The band had long intensive practices at the town plaza which was one wide space for community assemblies, baseball, softball or just a playground for children. On moonlight nights that the band held practices, town people would sit on the grass around the marching musicians. We all knew they are competing with known bands like the Band of Pampanga, Band of Rizal, Anak Zapote of Bataan and others. On one occasion, the town was treated to a concert oh Philippine Army Band.

With these rich exposures to fine music, the family cultivated a high level of appreciation for truly great and inspiring music. The extensive collections of classic favorite on records, tapes and CDs in their homes are evidences of this heritage. Father did not live long enough to know but third generation members became active choir leaders and members.

As teachers, Cela and Sylvia organized rondallas in their respective schools. Oscar Jr., Sylvia’s only son has shifted his career from engineering to music, and has achieved national recognition in this field, Oscar was a producer on the staff of the San Miguel Corporation Department of Performing Arts, working with well-known music master, Ryan Cayabyab.