Presenting: Libon’s Legacy in Music

Sartin Family

Leading the singing praises to the Lord in the liturgical rites of the parish of St. Rafael the Archangel, Pantao is Eduardo Sartin known to many as Dodo. He endeavored to have his talent in singing and playing varied musical instruments by listening to his father sing, joining contests and winning major awards and at present an active leader in his church music ministry.

Cognizant of the inner happiness which music brings to his life, he has motivated members of his family to join the church choir and other similar activities to develop their inherited potentials. He is not alone in the Sartin family. Cesar plays dexterously the bass guitar and sings well. Myla has joined the entertainment club in Japan as a singer. His other sisters are also like flowers in the wilderness having the beauty but left to nobody to behold.

Maronilla-Velasco-Isaac Family

Jose Isaac, a native of Bato, Camarines Sur, married Josefina Maronilla of Velasco St., Libon, Albay. This couple were both music-minded because Lolo Jose could play all string instruments with clarinet and violin as his special expertise Lola Pin was a versatile pianist. As years went by, they thought of a way of how they could propagate music so they started teaching their children and afterwards their grandchildren to play banduria, ukulele, guitar and piano. They also recruited other children of their clan and neighborhood to enroll in piano lessons and playing string instruments. They were to encourage many students to finish and perform piano recitals until finally they organized a choir, ronadalla and other musical rendition groups. Their extraordinary abilities and expertise were handed down from generation for generation. Furthermore, they were also engaged in composing songs as evidenced by Lolo Jose’s obra maestro “Santiago de Libon”. Aside from this he became also a member of the Mirabueno band. Because of their great exemplary performance with music, until now they are always remembered by the people of Libon especially during town fiesta and the Holy Week celebration.

Malagueño Family

Love of music runs through the blood of the Malagueño Family of San Isidro, Libon, Albay. The late Sabas Malagueño together with three children – Elias, Angeles and Avelino – composed the Malagueño band which was very popular during the thirties. Many ladies and gentleman would attend a benefit dance  where his group would play: Elias and Avelino as guitarists, Sabas on the bass guitar, Aguilar as the violinist, ex-mayor Francisco Taduran as vocalist. Descendants of the family are also endowed with talents in music. They would play the organ and banduria. They are also good singers.

Petronillo Sayson Abila

A resident of San Antonio, Libon, he was born on October 5, 1930. At the age of 11, because of his interest in music, he invented a toy violin made of bamboo and buri. For Grades 1 and 3, he studied at San Pascual Elementary School. He no longer enrolled in Grade 2 because he was accelerated. For Grade 4 and 5, he studied at Albay Training Department and for Grade 6, at Malabog, Albay. From the time he invented the toy violin, he used to play it at home. At the age of 17, he was able to play a real violin bought by his father. From the time on, he was always hired during novenas, auroras, Sta. Cruzan and every June 13 (feast of Patron Saint of Barangay San Antonio) with or without pay. He plays not only violin but also guitar with his late brother, Domiciano Abila. He is married to Flora Lobete of Daraga, Albay amd blessed with 10 children (7 boys and 3 girl). After working in the rice fields, he used to get his violin and played classical songs to relieve tiredness. At present, he is a lay minister and a catechist.

Francisco Berma Seva

A native of Buga, Libon, Albay born on December 12, 1939. His parents, Jose Seva and Martha Berma were also musicians. His father is an expert in violin and his mother loved to play the banduria. While his parents were out, he would play the instruments until he learned them well.

During his studies, he organized the Little Spartan Combo in Mabini Memorial College, Iriga City. He was a contestant in instrumental solo (guitar) in PRISAA  meet at Dumaguete City as representative of the Bicol region. Luckily, he brought home the bacon.

As a teacher, he organized the Drum and Bugle Corp of Holy Trinity College, Buga Elementary School, J. Cortes Elementary School. He was seven children with Geneva Bombita. Three of them are following his footsteps.

Renato (Remy) Velasco

He is the son of Juan Maronilla Velasco and Dionisia Mijes. He was born on March 25, 1925 and married to Celina Sara Vasquez, a retired principal of Libon, Albay.

At an early age, he knows already, he knows already to play the guitar through the influence of his auntie, Josefina Velasco Maronilla Isaac. He had no formal  education in music, but he could play accordion, bass guitar and is good singer.

Because of the Velasco lineage in music, he was a member of the Velasco Daring Masters that performed not only in Libon but also in nearby towns and even in far provinces like Masbate and Samar. During the Japanese and American regimes, he entertained people through songs and received P 50 per song.

In 1950, their orchestra was disbanded upon the decision of his uncle, Vicente “Pa Titing” Velasco. He did not lose hope in sharing his talents to his family, friends and other townmates. So two of his grandchildren, Marvin and Juano are following his footsteps.

Antonio Ranera Serrano

He was born January 10, 1910 in Libon, Albay. Since childhood at the age of 10, he loved to play trombone and bass drum already. In fact, when he was sent to watch the ricefield to drive away mayas, instead of shouting, he played the trombone. While in the fields, he played some tunes of familiar songs while waiting for the mayas to come.  In 1920, he started joining a group of musicians who played during fiestas, weddings, novenas, etc. In 1930, he married Geronima Secillano and was blessed with nine children (3 girls and 6 boys). From that time on, he became a member of the Ambassadors’ Band organized by Mr. Eliseo Serrano and composed of Libongueño musicians.

Sor Cecilia Calleja-Maronilla

Sor Cecilia Calleja-Maronilla, the daughter of Mariano Maronilla and Rafaela Calleja was born on February 1, 1900 in Libon, Albay. At 18, she joined the Daughters of Charity and was the first nun who enrolled at the Conservatory of Music in U.P. under Prof. Dr. Antonio Molina. On February 1932, she rendered her senior recital. She was assigned head of the Department of Music at Sta. Isabel College, Intramuros, Manila and then Sta. Isabel, Naga City. She financed the construction of the Music Building of Sta. Isabel, Naga City. She was a full-time department head and professor of Music where she graduated many students in piano. She died at the age of 91 on November 1991 at the Daughters of Charity Provincial House in Parañaque City.

Andres Abila Rey

He is one among the Libongueños who has an ear for music which was enhanced by the teaching of Ms. Vicenta Rosauro, Music Instructress in Albay Normal School in 1939 and of Mrs. Rosario Navarez Alisago, another Libongueña assigned in the school.

He was a member of the school orchestra and band choral group as tenor during  his secondary years. As teacher, he imparted his talents to the students. He made some compositions for his personal enjoyment. His last composition was entitled, “La Villa de Libon” and lyrics during the town’s 400^th foundation anniversary. His favorite musical instrument is tenor saxophone.

Retired as principal, at present he is a simple businessman.

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