On Young Kapampangan Classical Musician Rey Vincent Sunglao of the Manila Symphony Orchestra
We've featured young Kapampangan musicians in the rock, hip hop, accoustic and electronic genres. But these insights on classical music from Rey Vincent Sunglao are a rare treat.
(Photo by Rodel Valiente, MSO’s official photographer for the 2019 Season)
On June 17-23, 2019, he and his group the Manila Symphony Orchestra will represent the country in China for a concert tour. Wish them luck!
1. How old is he and where in Pampanga is he from?
Rey Vincent Parico Sunglao, 23, a native of Betis, Guagua, Pampanga. Rey Vincent started in the music industry when he was in 2nd grade. His parents pushed and supported him to join a religious group, Mirabilia Dei, where he got the very foundation of his music. Every Sunday he would sing for the mass and go straight to rehearsals right after. The Mirabilia Dei, formerly known as Betis Children’s Choir was founded by Mrs. Consuelo J. Mendoza in 2001. It is composed of children from different barrios of Betis who are taught and trained to sing and play different musical instruments for the purpose of promoting the word of God through singing and playing Liturgical Music. Annually, Mirabilia Dei celebrates music through benefit concerts whose proceeds go to the construction of the first music school in the province.
(Photo by Rodel Valiente, MSO’s official photographer for the 2019 Season)
Rey was offered by Sr. Mary Placid Abejo, OSB and Sr. Agnella Capili, OSB full scholarship from the Battig Foundation for Music Education in Double Bass principal at St. Scholastica's College, Manila in 2011. In 2012, Rey was recommended to the Future Faces Manila and became their very first scholar of the foundation. He became a member of the Manila Symphony Orchestra in 2012.
His Double Bass mentor, Rommel Cruz, pushed him to audition in the Asian Youth Orchestra (AYO) in January 2016 and was chosen to be one of the delegates to represent the Philippines in AYO 2016 Season. Rey performed among the finest young musicians and had concert tours around Asia. He was again chosen to join AYO 2017 Season and represented the Philippines on its very first global concert tour. Rey Vincent is the very first Double Bass graduate of St. Scholastica's College, Manila and has made history by being the institution's first ever male valedictorian.
2. What got him interested in playing the double bass?
Mirabilia Dei requires its members to study at least one musical instrument. In 2007, the group began offering violin lessons to interested members. Rey learned to read notes prior to learning the Violin, but it was when the teacher assessed his hand size that he realized his hand is too big for the instrument. A couple of years after, he studied the Cello and was successful in learning it for 2 years. He auditioned in St. Scholastica's College for Cello principal but with his level of playing at that time, Rey's application was unsuccessful. However, he was offered a full scholarship if he decides to study the Double Bass instead of the Cello. Holding on to his dream to enter the conservatory, he accepted the challenge and left the Cello for good. Eventually, he fell in love with the Double Bass. Rey studied Bachelor of Music Major in Music Education with Double Bass Principal under the tutelage of Rommel Cruz, Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra.
3. What does he to get better at the craft?
(Screenshot from the MSO's 2018 Season Finale Video by Studio8)
St. Scholastica’s College has been instrumental on imparting values Rey believes have helped him hone his potential in music. Discipline, Service and Ora et Labora. Discipline for him covers responsibility to practice every single day to develop his music. With discipline and dedication, there comes excellence. Service in a form of sharing fulfills him. Rey believes that it is when we share our skills, abilities and talents to other people that we are able to touch the lives of many. Ora et Labora (Prayer and Work), the whole universe is willing to help us but it has to start with us. Prayer and work is all about faith. Faith in God but more importantly, faith within us—that we can do anything if we believe in ourselves.
4. What is it about classical music or its history that Kapampangans should know about?
Music has been an integral part of the culture in Pampanga for years. From the Gozo of Halloween, Pasyon of Lenten season, to even the guitar makers of Guagua, Kapampangans are known to having so much potential in music and the performing arts. Rey is an alumnus of the Ten Outstanding Students of the Philippines (TOSP) and has the advocacy of achieving quality Music Education in the country. He wants to evaluate the curriculum of music and to come up to a possible solution to improve it. He believes that music should be part of the educational system for it builds on the potential of every individual just like the Sciences and Mathematics. Education for him is the key to discovering the inner musical skills of each individual and achieve their fullest potentials in it. Through a quality Music Education, he envisions that the Philippines especially Pampanga will sprout more and more talents that up until now may still be unsung.
5. Tell us about the Manila Symphony Orchestra.
(Photo by Rodel Valiente, MSO’s official photographer for the 2019 Season)
Manila Symphony Orchestra (MSO) is one of Asia’s first symphony orchestras founded in 1926. It is composed of around 60 musicians and has performed in all major concert venues in the Metro and throughout the country. Many of the members of the MSO are professional musicians who, in addition to their leadership roles in the orchestra, are also active participants in the cultural life of the country as soloists, music educators, music arrangers, chamber music performers, entrepreneurs, bandmasters, and choir conductors.
6. Where can people catch him perform?
Rey Vincent has been an active member of MSO since 2012. People can follow their social media accounts for Season Concerts and other exciting performances.
Watch him perform the Bottesini Elegy in D for Double Bass and Piano in the video below.
7. Any websites, social media channels or events you'd like to promote?
Please check out:
The MSO Website https://www.manilasymphony.com/mso-academy/about-us/manila-symphony-orchestra/
And the MSO Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/manilasymphony/
