An afternoon of classical music by CASA San Miguel’s Pundaquit Virtuosi… an exhibit of memorabilia and artwork from CASA San Miguel at the My Music House. . . a showcase of string instruments from Lazer Music . . . WCOPA Multi-medalist Ejay Arrieta’s award winning performance of The Prayer in both soprano and tenor voices . . . a standing ovation for Maestro Alfonso “Coke” Bolipata’s heartwarming rendition of Willy Cruz’s Sana’y Wala Nang Wakas.

These were some of the highlights that made the recent My City, My SM, My Music stop at SM City Olongapo Central memorable. More than that, it traced the amazing musical journey of the event’s honoree Alfonso “Coke” Bolipata from Zambales to New York, to the world stage, and back to his hometown in Zambales. There, he transformed the lives of young kids in the urban community of San Antonio Zambales through music at CASA San Miguel, a community-based art center.

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 Elijah Dela Cruz of Sangguniang Kabataan, opened with a world class performance of The Prayer by Ejay Arrieta, WCOPA’s Multi- medalist from Mariveles, Bataan, who sang the duet in both soprano and tenor voices.

Guests, including Coke’s sister visual artist Plet Bolipata and good friend Sonia Roco, later enjoyed the video hosted by Ms. Philippines Earth 2013 Angelee delos Reyes featuring the life and work of honoree Coke Bolipata, as well as the vibrant performing arts in Zambales.

Members of the local government of Olongapo City led by Hon. Mayor Rolen C. Paulino, Jr., came in full force. These included City Councilors Lugie Lipumano-Garcia, Cristabelle Paulino, Rodel Cerezo and Ying Anonat, as well as Zambales Tourism Provincial. Head- Maria Domitela Mora, and City Tourism represented by Lei Montoya. 

They were all warmly welcomed by SM executives led by Millie Dizon, SM Supermalls SAVP-Mall Ops Engr. Junias Eusebio an ROM-N3 Engr. Bong Garcia and SM City Olongapo Central Mall Manager- Engr. Ariel Ferrer.

Capping the event was a stunning performance by Pundaquit Virtuosi of Mozart’s Eine Kleine Nachtmusik and Coke Bolipata’s unforgettable rendition of Sana’y Wala Nang Wakas by Willy Cruz.

Alfonso “Coke” Bolipata is one of the country’s leading artists, a seasoned performer, teacher, writer and a cultural advocate.

A child prodigy, Coke started violin lessons at the age of 8 with Oscar C. Yatco as a scholar of Stella G. Brimo. At 12, he won First Prize in the National Music Competitions for Young Artists, subsequently leaving to study at the Julliard School of Music in New York.

He has performed worldwide as soloist and chamber musician in the major halls in America, as well as numerous concerts in America, Canada, Germany, Japan, Indonesia, China Spain and France.

In 1990 he received a grant from the National Endowment for the Art (Washington) and Artists Affiliates (New York) to bring culture to the rural areas of America. This served as an impetus for his return to the Philippines to establish CASA San Miguel, a community-based arts center in Zambales that integrates the European classical music tradition and local community engagement by working with thousands of gifted children from the area.

The Zambales-based youth orchestra Pundaquit Virtuosi String Ensemble was developed by the CASA San Miguel Foundation, as part of a community-based arts program that seeks to create opportunities for children from humble backgrounds through music and the arts. They have been heard all over the world and recently returned from a European Tour to 15 cities in 8 countries, where they received warm ovations from both Filipino and European audiences.

Today, it can be said that a CASA San Miguel alumni can be found in every orchestra in the Philippines. Moreover, many of its alumni have gone on to make names for themselves with prizes in local and international competitions, grants for residencies, international seminars, exhibits and workshops

Coke’s vision of CASA San Miguel as an inclusive art space where ordinary people can have access to cultural programs, and ultimately, a spot of the world stage has expanded to include a satellite for children from Tondo through CENTEX.

As Founder and President of CASA San Miguel, he continues to be passionate in finding a treasure trove of art pieces and classical gems found in communities. In 2000 he co-founded the Metro Manila Community Orchestra, and the Symphony by The Sea Community Orchestra in Subic SBMA.

By enriching the lives of people where it stands, CASA San Miguel has become Zambales’ home for imagination; a space for possibilities; and a place for true creative hearts.

            My City, My SM, My Music is a take-off from the My City, My SM campaign which promotes tourism; My City, My SM, My Cuisine, which highlights family heirloom recipes in the different regions; and My City, My SM, My Crafts, which celebrates traditional arts and modern Philippine design. Most recently, My City, My SM, My Art was a celebration of Philippine visual arts – painting, sculpture, printmaking, photography, and filmmaking.

The My City, My SM, My Music event in Olongapo is the second in the series after the grand launch at SM City North EDSA honoring National Artist for Music Ramon Pagayon Santos. Its next stop will be at SM City Marilao this October 20-26.