A Legacy Rekindled: Dean Chua and Dr. Sunico in Service of Filipino Music

RAUL SUNICO AT ANG MSO: Gabi ng Piyano Konsyertong Pilipino

Opening Remarks by: Dean Sandy Iñigo Chua (February 6, 2025)

“The rich and complex history of Filipino music is an integral part of our national identity, yet much of it remains unexplored, underperformed, or inaccessible to wider audiences. MusikaPilipinas, a research project supported by the National Research Council of the Philippines and the University of Santo Tomas, has taken on the vital mission of systematically retrieving, preserving, and disseminating our musical heritage. This initiative ensures that historically significant works, alongside contemporary compositions, are meticulously documented, performed, and studied. Beyond the stage, this effort encompasses rigorous archival research, the publication of critical editions, and sustained collaboration with artists, scholars, and institutions. Together, these endeavors aim to build a more comprehensive and accessible repository of Filipino music, one that honors our past while inspiring future generations.

Now in its third and final year, the MusikaPilipinas research program has achieved significant milestones, shedding light on forgotten masterpieces and fostering a deeper appreciation for the richness of Filipino musical traditions. I wish to extend my utmost thanks to the very dedicated team of MusikaPilipinas.

Tonight’s program highlights works that reflect the richness and diversity of our musical heritage—compositions shaped by our colonial past, indigenous roots, and evolving modernity. The piano concerto stands as one of the most demanding and substantial forms of musical composition, a true test of a composer’s vision and a performer’s mastery. Rarely performed and often overlooked, these Filipino concertos represent the pinnacle of artistic achievement, blending technical brilliance with deeply rooted cultural expression.

Each concerto to be presented tonight carries a unique story – The Maharlika Concerto, a gem of Lucino Sacramento, premiered 52 years ago, was brought to life by the 25-year-old Raul Sunico, then a young virtuoso. His performance was nothing short of spellbinding, made even more remarkable by the fact that he memorized the piece in just a single day. This caught the attention of then First Lady Imelda Marcos, whooffered him a scholarship to study at the prestigious Juilliard School. At the time, Sunico was poised to pursue doctoral studies in finance at Brown University, but he chose instead to dedicate his life to music—a decision that has since enriched the Philippine cultural landscape and inspired countless others.

 

Then there’s the Celebration Concerto by Alfredo Buenaventura, an ode to the brilliance of Filipino composers. It holds the distinction of one of the very few large scale Filipino works performed at the iconic Carnegie Hall. It was met with greatacclaim, yet its magic remains elusive—no recordings exist today. To hear it performed live, especially in the presence of the composer himself, is to witness a rare alchemy of sound and spirit, a fleeting moment of musical transcendence.

The Piano Concerto in B-flat minor by Francisco Santiago is a milestone in Filipino classical music, composed in 1924 during his studies at the Chicago Conservatory of Music. This piece, which premiered at Zorilla Theater on February 5, 1925, one hundred years ago, carries a story of loss and rebirth. Lost during the Battle of Manila exactly 80 years ago today, it was miraculously reconstructed from memory by Santiago’s student, Juan Banez, together with Col. Antonino Buenaventura.Yet, even this reconstructed version faded into obscurity—until 2021, when it was rediscovered. Tonight on its centennial year, you will witness its modern-day premiere, a resurrection of a masterpiece that refuses to be forgotten.

We extend our deepest and most sincere gratitude to Dr. Raul Sunico, whose extraordinary artistry, unwavering discipline, and profound passion have brought this evening’s performance to life. A true luminary in the world of music, Dr. Sunico embodies the essence of the Filipino concerto tradition. His remarkable journey with the genre began at the age of 18, when he won a concerto competition, marking the start of a lifelong romance with the piano and the concerto genre. 

Taking on the challenge of learning and performing these concertos is a feat unmatched by any other pianist. His dedication to Filipino music is not only a testament to his extraordinary musicianship but also a gift to the nation.

We also extend our sincerest thanks to the Manila Symphony Orchestra under the leadership of Jeffrey Solares and Herminigildo Ranera, for their unwavering commitment to bringing Filipino compositions to life with brilliance and depth. Their artistry and dedication to this endeavor ensure that these once-silent works now resound with the power and beauty they deserve.

Raul Sunico at ang Manila Symphony Orchestra: Gabi ng Piyano, Konsyertong Pilipino is not just a concert—it is an initiative to bridge the past and present, bringing to light the wealth of Filipino compositions that deserve a permanent place in our cultural consciousness.

May this concert serve as both a tribute and a call to action: a reminder that our music is a living legacy—one that we must continue to reclaim, perform, and pass on to future generations. Mabuhay ang Musikang Pilipino, ang Musika Natin!”

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Dean Sandy Iñigo Chua, Dean of the UST Conservatory of Music and SUDi Awardee, delivers more than just opening remarks - she gives voice to a powerful and urgent mission: the reclamation, preservation, and celebration of Filipino musical heritage. Through her message for "Raul Sunico at ang MSO: Gabi ng Piyano, Konsyertong Pilipino," she reaffirms the importance of MusikaPilipinas as both a scholarly pursuit and a cultural act of nation-building.

Dean Chua’s words reflect not only her deep understanding of music as an academic discipline but also her profound reverence for its power to shape identity and inspire future generations. She highlights how this project is not only about bringing back forgotten works, but about giving them a voice, a stage, and a renewed life—especially through the hands of a musician whose life has been defined by service to music: Dr. Raul Sunico.

Dr. Sunico is not merely the featured artist of this concert—he is its beating heart. His lifelong dedication to Filipino music has made him one of its most vital champions. From his early performances of works like Lucino Sacramento’s Maharlika Concerto, to his bold decision to leave behind a future in finance for a life committed to the piano and to the nation’s musical soul, Sunico has consistently placed Filipino compositions on the global stage. His mastery of the piano, matched by his scholarship and heart for service, has enabled him to bring life to forgotten masterpieces and elevate the Filipino concerto to the place it deserves in both local and international consciousness.

Dean Chua underscores this powerfully: to take on the challenge of reviving and performing these technically demanding, emotionally rich, and culturally significant concertos is no ordinary feat—and Dr. Sunico’s artistry has made it possible. Through him, these works are not only heard, but felt. They breathe again.

In her message, Dean Chua emerges as more than a steward of music education—she is a cultural visionary calling the nation to remember, reclaim, and revere. And through the hands of Dr. Raul Sunico, this vision finds its sound, its soul, and its enduring legacy.

This concert is not just a performance. It is a movement.

Mabuhay si Dean Sandy Iñigo Chua.
Mabuhay si Dr. Raul Sunico.
Mabuhay ang Musikang Pilipino!