Para kay Joey: One good thing about music

“Sorry na lang sila, dahil wala sila rito,” said Joey Ayala as he took the stage of the Abelardo Hall in UP Diliman last November 15, 2014.

 

Ayala was referring to the people who could have filled the vacant seats inside the concert hall, which that night reverberated with the exquisite beats and melodies coming from diverse musical instruments—harp, koto, janggu, octavina, bandurria—played by an impressive lineup of both young and seasoned musicians. 

 

I sat inside that cold auditorium and witnessed the stage become the setting for a musical celebration, graced by personalities like Dean Ramon Acoymo, Jun Latonio, Johnny Alegre, and Joey Ayala—veteran musicians who all performed alongside younger ones like soprano Sherla Najera, Ryan Villamor, Marco Valenciano, and Jireh Calo—that glorious Jazz singer and keyboardist—among many other talented music artists.

 

The performances were dedicated to Professor Joey Valenciano, the Philippines’ lone classically trained and most sought after sitarist. He learned how to play the sitar—a stringed instrument that evolved from ancient India—from his guru Debu Chaudhury, and finished the Sangeet Shiromani course from Delhi University, India.

 

A few weeks ago, Valenciano was diagnosed with a rare blood disorder, treatment for which has so far amounted to more than 1.4 million pesos (excluding doctors’/readers’ fees and the medicine Rituximab, which costs P140,000 per dose).   

 

Support for local artists

 

When artists (including writers, athletes, actors, etc.) in this country get sick, the members of their art communities usually band together to launch benefit drives to help the one in need. This is done in the absence of a substantial health program or support from the national government.

 

As a Professor in the Department of Musicology at the University of the Philippines, getting sick has become a financial crisis for Valenciano and his family, particularly his wife Daisy Valenciano, who is also a Professor in the Music Education Department of the same university.

 

“To me, it is all about saving the artist,” said Daisy. “During the concert, you could see that the performers and friends of Joey were so sincere in their music.” Friends, students, family and colleagues are the artist’s grace and inspiration. Though he was not physically present at the event, Daisy says that her husband is “very happy about it and wants to get up to perform again with his colleagues and for his students who continue to inspire him, and whom he knows continue to be inspired by him.”

 

A life lived for music, and for love

 

Although unpopular with the local mainstream audience, which often favors the more shallow modern and Western pop alternatives, Valenciano’s musical artistry in both jazz and Asian music is held in high regard by his colleagues and students alike.

During the benefit concert, Joey Ayala quipped: “Gusto kong maging estudyante ni Joey Valenciano.”

Renowned composer Ryan Cayabyab has called Valenciano one of the most serious musicians he has ever known. And a colleague at the College of Music has labeled him nothing less than a “national treasure.”

 

But it is perhaps the compliments coming from his wife, partner in sickness and health, that matter greatly.

“He is the gentlest person I have ever met,” said Daisy Valenciano in her opening remarks during concert night. “(He teaches) music in relation to life, (he teaches) that music is all about spirituality, sincerity, humility, relationships with people. That is why I married Joey.”

A message from the guru

 

Currently, Valenciano is recuparating at home and visits the hospital for scheduled blood checkups. To avoid infections, he always has his mask on and is not allowed to go out. Daisy said that he is still rather weak and continues to take plenty of medications and lots of liquids.

 

“Prayers please,” Daisy asked. “As we are only teachers, financial help would always be most appreciated.”

 

And for you, lover of music and life, Joey Valenciano sends this message: “Thank you for all who showed support and love. May we strengthen our care for one another. Let’s all make music continue to be a venue for showing love and care for one another.”

 

Coming out of that concert late that nippy November night, I was glad that, indeed, when music hits, you feel no pain. — VC, GMA News
 

 

The author wishes to thank Ryan Villamor, Pat Rodriguez, Caroline Prost, Gou de Jesus and Daisy Valenciano for their invaluable help in putting together this story.