The province of Cavite is known as the Cradle of the Revolution and the historical capital of the Philippines. This is where most significant Philippine historical as well as where musical events have taken place.

In preparation for the historic proclamation of Philippine independence in 1898, General Emilio Aguinaldo, the first president of the country, asked Julian Felipe – a native of Cavite City, to create a hymn that would represent and awaken the bravery and patriotism of the Filipinos.

His composition, Marcha Nacional Filipina was first played during the country’s declaration of independence on June 12, 1898 at the balcony of Aguinaldo Shrine in Kawit Cavite, along with the unfurling of the Philippine flag.  It was by the San Francisco de Malabon marching band (now Heneral Trias) whose members had learned the music just the day before.

Felipe’s composition was later adopted as the Philippine National Anthem on September 5, 1938 by the Commonwealth government.

Today, Caviteños are making music history again with their innovative take on musical instruments.

The recent launch of My City, My SM, My Music in SM Dasmariñas highlighted two groups and their distinct music – Philippine Punk Icon Bobby Balingit of Juan Isip Band and the Sisters of Mary Hand Bell Ringers. SM’s other malls in Cavite – SM City Bacoor, SM City Molino, SM City Rosario, and SM Marketmall Dasmariñas also joined in the celebration.

A joint project of SM, the Metropolitan Museum of Manila, the Filipino Heritage Festival, WCOPA, and the Philippine Star with support from the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the National Music for Young Artists (NAMCYA), and Tahanan Books, My City, My SM, My Music is a celebration of Philippine Performing Arts – music, dance, and theater.

The campaign aims to bring people and music together by showcasing indigenous, folk, classical, and contemporary artistry in a roadshow around the SM Supermalls. Advocating music for all, we are working with communities to mount performances, exhibits, and workshops in key cities around the Philippines.

The program hosted by print executive Barbie Atienza opened with an angelic invocation of Ave Maria by the Sisters of Mary Boystowns Choir.

Guests including National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) Chairperson, Dr. Emmanuel Calairo; Cavite El Viejo Heritage Tourism Association Consultant Angelo Aguinaldo; Alitaptap Artist Community founders Adrian “AJ Manuel and Henry “Bokeng” Ancanan and members of the Sisters of Mary Community all enjoyed the video presentation hosted by 2009 CNN Hero Efren Peñaflorida.

They were all warmly welcomed by SM executives led by SM’s Millie Dizon, Senior Asst. Vice President for Operations – John Jason T. Terrenal, South 2 Regional Leasing Manager Florentino Stefano O. Martinez, South 2 Regional Operations Manager Minabelle B. Llanes and SM City Dasmariñas Mall Manager Editha Ragodo-Tayko with Assistant Mall Manager Abigael A. Alcibar.

Mallgoers also had a rare chance of viewing the exhibit at the My Music House showcasing the amazing musical instruments collection of Bobby Balingit including the Japanese Koto, Sound Art module, Taishio koto or Japanese Zither, DG 20 Casio Digital Electronic Guitar, Sitjar, Banjo, and Okinawan Sanshin. It also featured a capsule exhibit about Fr. Al’s Children Foundation originally displayed at Fr. Al’s Museum.

Tucked away in the the calm and peaceful town of Amadeo, the Coffee Capital of the Philippines, is the Alitaptap Artist’s Village, a creative compound of greeneries, a café, library, museums, and art camping grounds. It is a playground for imagination and home to Philippine Punk-Rock icon Bobby Balingit.

Balingit is a multi-disciplinary artist – musician, composer, academician, painter, actor, and writer. But it is his music – and collection of musical instruments that mesmerizes.

He started his musical journey as a folk singer in the early 80s, and later formed one of the most influential punk rock bands  in the Philippines, “the wuds”. More recently, he founded a band called Juan Isip, which uses rare ancient musical instruments as well as modules for sound art.

These include the Koto, a Japanese half-tube zither instrument; and the Taishogoto, or Nagoya Harp. The group also has a creative way of short circuiting electronic devices to create new and unique sounds.  It works with toy keyboards and other electronic sound devices.

The musical journey then took viewers from alluring Amadeo to serene Silang in Cavite, home to the Girlstown and Boystown complex.

The Sisters of Mary officially started its operation in the Philippines in 1985. The sisters work primarily by establishing Boystowns and Girlstowns that serve as schools and homes for deserving students from poorest of the poor families. They take care of the indigent youth entrusted to them by giving them free food, clothing, shelter, medical and dental services, and secondary education. The students are all called Fr. Al’s Children, after Father Aloysius Schwartz, founder of the Congregation of the Sisters of Mary and the Brothers of Christ.

It is also home to the Sisters of Mary hand bell ringers from the Girlstown Silang, Cavite who together with their Boystown counterparts in Cebu are known praising the Lord through their heavenly music. They are mentored by South Korean Christopher Yang who has been playing hand bells since the 80’s, and who introduced the hand bell ringing to the Philippines in 1999.

With 3 octave hand bells donated by Christopher’s friend from Japan and his own 4 octaves and choir chimes from South Korea, he started to train the students in the Sisters of Mary Girlstown how to create heavenly music with these unique instruments. At present, he is teaching 22 ringers in the Sisters of Mary Girlstown in Silang and Boystown in Cebu.

Mallgoers were delighted with the exceptional live performance of Mr. Bobby Balingit and the Juan Isip Band composed of Jon Romero on Sound art module, AJ Manuel on Jembe, Janardan Balingit on drums, John Marin on Electric Bass Guitar, and Otto Neri on keyboard. The performance of the Sisters of Mary Handbell Ringers, on the other hand was like  is like a slice of heaven. 

The My City, My SM, My Music event at SM City Dasmariñas is the sixth in the series after the grand launch at SM City North Edsa honoring National Artist for Music Ramon Pagayon Santos. This was followed by SM City Olongapo Central’s tribute to Coke Bolipata, SM City Marilao’shomage to National Artists Francisca Aquino and Ernani Cuenco, SM City Pampanga’s showcase on Kapampangan Sacred Music featuring Msgr. Gregorio Lazatin Canlas and SM Masinag’s tribute to National Artist for Music Lucio Diestro San Pedro. Its next stop will be at SM City Lucena featuring National Artist for Music Fides Cuyugan-Asensio and her contributions to Philippine Opera.