Raul Sunico: In the Eyes of a Fellow Master – Dr. Herminigildo Ranera on a Life of Excellence, Humility, and Legacy

“ He was offered a hotel, but he declined. Instead, he found an empty spot in the kitchen and slept there on the floor.... Just to be near the students. That’s Raul—no complaints, no airs. That simple gesture told us everything about his heart.”

— Dr. Herminigildo Ranera

More Than a Virtuoso: A Life Woven Into Music and Service

In every era, there are artists who shine—and there are artists who shape the era itself. For Dr. Herminigildo “Hermie” Ranera, Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra resident  conductor, composer, and professor at the UST Conservatory of Music, few names loom larger than Dr. Raul Sunico. But in their decades of friendship and collaboration, the Maestro was never just a figure of prestige. He was a constant, a compass, and in many ways, a quiet revolution.

“He’s my boss in every chapter of my life,” Ranera begins with a chuckle. “At UST, at CCP, at St. Paul University. We always end up working together. Sometimes I ask, is he following me or am I following him?”

That lighthearted remark masks a deep truth: when someone is consistently present at the most formative moments of your life, it’s not coincidence—it’s influence. It’s legacy.

The First Encounter

Their story began not in a boardroom or conservatory, but in a summer music camp in Bacolod. “There was a surprise concert. The pianist came out—and it was Raul Sunico. That was the first time I met him. I was stunned.”

Years later, their paths would cross again and again, evolving into a partnership rooted in mutual respect, creative alignment, and a shared vision of musical excellence rooted in service.

Discipline as a Signature

“Dr. Sunico is precise. Extremely efficient,” Ranera shares. “In rehearsal, he wastes no time. He knows what he wants and how to get there without pushing others around. That’s rare.”

That discipline would prove essential in ambitious projects—like the performance of all four Rachmaninoff concertos in a single night, a feat they mounted together more than once.

“We only had two rehearsals,” Ranera recalls. “And it worked because he’s meticulous. He arrives prepared. But more importantly, he’s collaborative. There’s no star complex. That’s hard to find in someone at his level.”

A Humble Giant

In a world where acclaim often inflates ego, Sunico remains disarmingly grounded. “He’s one of the kindest people I know,” Ranera says. “He listens. He adjusts. You’re never made to feel small around him.”

This generosity extended beyond music. “He helped me finish my doctorate. Quietly. No announcements, no conditions.” And it wasn’t a one-time gesture. Over the years, Sunico has helped countless musicians—financially, professionally, emotionally.

“He doesn’t keep score,” Ranera adds. “He just gives.”

The Man Who Sleeps in Kitchens

One story sums up the kind of leader Sunico is. During a summer music camp, accommodations were full. The dean—Dr. Sunico—was offered a hotel, but he declined. Instead, he found an empty spot in the kitchen and slept there on the floor.

“Just to be near the students,” Ranera says. “That’s Raul. No complaints. No airs. That simple gesture told us everything about his heart.”

Food, Friendship, and the Human Side

Sunico is known not just for his piano playing but for his cooking. “He’s a great cook,” Ranera says with a smile. “He’d invite us over, feed us well, and when we went out, he insisted on paying.”

Their regular gatherings—like the Monday Breakfast Club and the Blackboard Group—became informal think tanks, spaces of support and shared laughter. “It wasn’t just about music. It was about life. He fostered those spaces.”

On Stage, A Storyteller

Sunico's musical choices reveal the depth of his emotional range. “He gravitates toward Romantic composers—Rachmaninoff, Tchaikovsky—pieces where you can express yourself fully,” says Ranera. “But don’t be fooled. He has conquered the most intellectual, demanding works too.”

One such feat was the performance of the Busoni Concerto—one of the longest and most complex piano works ever written, complete with full orchestra and choir.

“And he memorized it on a plane,” Ranera says, still in awe. “He went through the entire score mentally. Who does that? That’s genius. That’s Raul.”

Leadership Without Politics

As a former Cultural Center president and conservatory dean, Sunico's leadership is marked by fairness, vision, and integrity. “He gives opportunities to people who don’t usually get them,” Ranera explains. “He doesn’t play favorites. Even when he’s mistreated or taken advantage of, he continues to help. He leads by principle.”

The Teacher Who Listens

One of Sunico’s greatest strengths, Ranera notes, is his ability to teach without making you feel inferior. “He listens. And he trusts you. You’re not just a student—you’re a collaborator. That builds confidence. That builds futures.”

Many of today’s prominent musicians were shaped under his guidance—some formally, many informally. “Sometimes all it takes is a word of encouragement from someone you respect. Raul offers that freely.”

A Living Legacy

“Raul Sunico isn’t just a pianist or an educator. He’s a movement,” Ranera concludes. “He makes people better—musically and personally. He shows us that greatness and kindness can go hand in hand.”

As years pass, the measure of a life well-lived isn't just in accolades, but in the lives it touches. In this regard, Sunico’s reach is immeasurable. He has filled concert halls and hearts alike.

In every note he plays, in every student he lifts, in every colleague he quietly supports, he reminds us that excellence is not an act—it is a habit of the heart.

And in the eyes of one of his closest collaborators, his story is far from over.

“He’s not just part of Philippine music history,” Ranera says, “He is Philippine music.”