Legarda Supports First Rondalla Music Camp in Baguio

Senator Loren Legarda today expressed her full support to the FirstRondalla Music Camp, which runs from July 8 to 23, in Baguio City.

"Part of our rich cultural heritage is music. We have an abundance not only of great singing voices but also of very talented musicians. TheRondalla Music Camp is one way to harness the natural talent of Filipinos who are into string instruments. I congratulate all the participants of the First Rondalla Music Camp and we look forward to more of these kinds of projects," said Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance and an advocate of arts and culture preservation.

The camp has been made possible through the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the National Music Competitions for Young Artists (NAMCYA), and the Musicological Society of the Philippines (MSP) in partnership with the University of the Philippines Baguio- Office of the Chancellor, and the Office of Senator Loren Legarda. National Artist for Music Dr. Ramon Santos is the camp director.

The rondalla is an ensemble of string instruments played using a plectrum. The main instruments are the banduria, octavina, laud, guitar, and bass.

The Rondalla Camp aims to train the participants through a two-week intensive training with renowned rondalla practitioners, experts and mentors. From this group of participants, the creation of the FirstRondalla Orchestra is being sought.

"The rondalla is an effective medium that weaves the ideals of harmony and melody into the ideals of humanism. It is high time that we give our musicians due importance by giving them full-fledged support. It is my hope that this camp will be able to bring people closer, despite diversity in opinion and beliefs," Legarda concluded.