Tonight at the CCP, I listened to Jamie Bernstein tell stories about her father Leonard in the middle of discussing the project called Ang Sistema. My entrancement only heightened when the Orchestra of the Filipino Youth, together with the PPO and the Abs-cbn Philharmonic orchestra, awoke Beethoven with his 5th. And there it was, unfolding before my eyes, the inception of the Philippine adaptation of El Sistema. I looked around, saw many empty seats, and was saddened. Believing that I might be in a historical occurrence, I stood up during the curtain call when no one else did. Consequently, the crowd rose from their seats. I might have been overreacting and I have no way of knowing wether this project will endure (I hope it will), but I am certain why this is a big deal.
Classical music in the Philippines at this point exist only to those in the upper part of the status quo. While the rest satisfy themselves with Bruno Mars. The distinction between serious(classical) and popular music is so sharp that it’s as if they have become two different cultures. One’s taste in music can say something about his social status. The rich don’t listen to Salbakuta and the tricycle drivers certainly don’t listen to Maurice Ravel. It’s not my intention to stereotype but the point is simple:
If the Ang Sistema project is successful, and produce a world class orchestra similar to that of Dudamel's, and thousands of other children training for it, then the social distinction of which I speak will dissolve and we will have a generation of a people sharing the same appreciation towards true beauty.
On the other hand, if we ignore the project, the arts will remain trapped among the few. And if the succeeding generation will think "I’m All About the Bass" is a good song, the Philippines will never ever spawn another Jose Rizal.