Starbucks Dialogues is a 3y/o project of Starbucks Philippines, organized and if I'm not mistaken, initiated by Zarah Perez, their Global Responsibility Manager. It's one of those events where you're bound to find yourself embraced by the power of inspired ideas. True to its name, Dialogues allow an interaction between the audience and the guest speakers. Topics range from anything under the sun long as its backbone falls within the list of the values that Starbucks espouses.
For this particular Dialogues, they had invited internationally acclaimed musical prodigies Dave Eggar and Coke Bolipata. Admittedly, I don't even need to read the specific topic of Dialogues to get me to go. So for this one, I came with a rather vague expectation of getting to listen to the thoughts of amazing musicians. And what do you know, I left the event beyond floored.
This is the famous Coke Bolipata, founder, president, and artistic director of Casa San Miguel, a learning center for arts and culture in San Antonio, Zambales. At Casa San Miguel, people from all walks of life have access to the privilege of learning how to master classical music. Coke says that it would be best for one to start learning how to play an instrument at the earliest age possible. He himself started playing at the young age of 8 -- a fact that had the audience teasing him for as a "late bloomer" -- because in Japan, kids start their practice at the age of 2. On getting the locals to be interested and determined in mastering music, he says that in the beggining, it was an uphill struggle. In our country, music doesn't really place priority. However, with the surge of all these local talent shows, parents have been more agreeable and keen in honing their children's musical talent.
There were very interesting insights randomly thrown out. Differences in the music industry were discussed. Dave says it's enabling to be a musician now than 50 years ago because then, there was no structure for business. Now, with creative resourcefulness, your music can be your small business. Coke, on the other hand, states that in the Philippines, there really is no music industry to speak of. He says there isn't enough funding, technical skills, or corporate structure for Filipino musicians. He also cites the cultural predicament which is the DECS curriculum; there is no real subject serving as an ambassador for learning music and other performing arts.
It was nice to hear their views on music and empowerment. Dave mentioned how for some, music is their first language, medium of expression. "Art gives people a sense that their story is meaningful, that their emotions have value. It affords one to dream." Though some would consider this statement to be a load of jack, I'd be quick to agree with Dave. Art has the capacity to embody how we feel without the need to verbalize. Art sort of just lets beauty hang on air, letting you claim for yourself what it is to you. Coke stressed how in learning art, it's not necessarily art per se that you learn but the values that learning art teaches.
Government subsidy was a pancake-hot issue. Someone from the audience asked what they think about Venezuela's Bolivar Orchestra. I was not aware of what wonder this orchestra holds. Thankfully, Dave shared the background of this orchestra to those of us who weren't so in-the-know. Bolivar Orchestra is a product of the Venezuelan government's efforts to keep children off their violent streets by immersing them in music education. And so Coke proceeds to tell the difficulty in getting sponsorship for from the government because children, who are the main recipients of music education in Casa San Miguel, can't vote. Asked how the public can help in Casa San Miguel's advocacy, Coke says that if you've an expertise to share, they would appreciate a workshop conducted for their students.
If you're free tonight, head over to The Establishment at The Fort Entertainment Complex in Taguig for a free fundraising gig by Brooklyn-Manila Project where Dave Eggar & Deoro, Coke Bolipata, Pundaquit Virtuosi, and SinoSikat will be playing to feed your senses.
This is Dave Eggar who, like Coke, is a graduate of prestigious conservatory The Juilliard School in New York. He has recorded music with the likes of Coldplay, Josh Groban, and Evanescence. He started playing piano at the age of 3 before proceeding to play the cello for which he is more known. His talent scored him a scholarship at Harvard University where he finished Biochemistry. At the moment, he's here in the Philippines for his Brooklyn-Manila project -- a musical collaboration between him and his band Deoro and local independent artist like Drip, SinoSikat, Radioactive Sago Project, and Nyko Maca. One of Brooklyn-Manila project's events is a fundraising concert for CASA San Miguel. Yep, we are basking in the presence of superman. Asked why he likes doing collaborations, he says rebellion is one of the major reasons. As a young musician, his family did not really allow him to explore other areas of music. Now that he has the option to do so, he allows himself to be awed by hearing the voice of cello swim with other kinds of music. "You see how your little voice shines as well as blend with others."
There were very interesting insights randomly thrown out. Differences in the music industry were discussed. Dave says it's enabling to be a musician now than 50 years ago because then, there was no structure for business. Now, with creative resourcefulness, your music can be your small business. Coke, on the other hand, states that in the Philippines, there really is no music industry to speak of. He says there isn't enough funding, technical skills, or corporate structure for Filipino musicians. He also cites the cultural predicament which is the DECS curriculum; there is no real subject serving as an ambassador for learning music and other performing arts.
It was nice to hear their views on music and empowerment. Dave mentioned how for some, music is their first language, medium of expression. "Art gives people a sense that their story is meaningful, that their emotions have value. It affords one to dream." Though some would consider this statement to be a load of jack, I'd be quick to agree with Dave. Art has the capacity to embody how we feel without the need to verbalize. Art sort of just lets beauty hang on air, letting you claim for yourself what it is to you. Coke stressed how in learning art, it's not necessarily art per se that you learn but the values that learning art teaches.
Government subsidy was a pancake-hot issue. Someone from the audience asked what they think about Venezuela's Bolivar Orchestra. I was not aware of what wonder this orchestra holds. Thankfully, Dave shared the background of this orchestra to those of us who weren't so in-the-know. Bolivar Orchestra is a product of the Venezuelan government's efforts to keep children off their violent streets by immersing them in music education. And so Coke proceeds to tell the difficulty in getting sponsorship for from the government because children, who are the main recipients of music education in Casa San Miguel, can't vote. Asked how the public can help in Casa San Miguel's advocacy, Coke says that if you've an expertise to share, they would appreciate a workshop conducted for their students.
If you're free tonight, head over to The Establishment at The Fort Entertainment Complex in Taguig for a free fundraising gig by Brooklyn-Manila Project where Dave Eggar & Deoro, Coke Bolipata, Pundaquit Virtuosi, and SinoSikat will be playing to feed your senses.
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