Comm. Marcelino Libanan

Bureau of Immigration Commissioner Marcelino Libanan started playing the guitar when he was nine years old, and so he has been on it for a total of 37 years now. He did not take up a formal training on guitar playing, and so he easily developed his own original style.

In spite of his busy schedule as immigration commissioner, and congressman before that, he always found time to appear as special guest in several musical concerts, and recently, he was the lone guitarist in the Miss Earth beauty pageant held in Boracay.

In his forthcoming concert with the Angelos billed “Capture Your Hearts,” the immigration commissioner will play classical and Latin music. “I will also sing one song,” he said. And why one song only? “It has been my tradition to sing just one song every time I appear in a concert. Besides, I focus more on the musical instrument – my guitar,” he explained.

Latin music, he said, is appealing to Filipinos because of our cultural affinity with them.

Asked if he is already a professional guitarist – receiving fees for his performances, he said that he simply wanted to share his talent, especially for charitable causes. “I believe in the parable of the talents. Develop the talent given to you by God and share it with others.”

He added that with your talent, you should make other people enjoy. With music, you also maintain your good health. Three commissioners in his office could have lived longer if they focus more on music.

He also stressed that music creates harmony. And music also makes us recall happy by-gone days, thus making you enhance your dynamism, thus improving and maintain your health.

Aside from playing the guitar, the commissioner also plays the bandoria.

To those aspiring to become guitarist, he tells them help enrich the country’s culture.

When performing on stage, Commissioner Libanan said that he does not compete with other performers. “I just focus myself on my instrument and music. I am not at all disturbed.”

He also said that music heals. This shows in his good health and agility. “I play my guitar for at least 30 minutes a day.”

“Music also enhances work ethics and excellence in one’s job,” he added. He plays his classical guitar.

When he was campaigning for his candidacy as congressman, he simply serenaded his prospective voters with his guitar and he won.

The commissioner also believes that music influences work ethics as well as attitude. When he was appointed to his present position, the BID was among the government agencies that were most corrupt. He introduced music to his management and corruption was greatly reduced.

He wished that the proposed bill in Congress to update the old immigration law be promulgated soon. The current immigration is almost a hundred years old already. It must be amended to make it more relevant to present conditions. “In fact, the revision should include tourism as a factor.”

Libanan is a dynamic leader. But his appointment is co-terminus with the appointing power, Pres. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

However, he has his guitar and music to make him move on.

* * *
The fast-rising Angelos

In the back-to-back show with Commissioner Libanan and his band is the Angelos, composed of George Tagle, Miguel Aguila, Paolo Libiran and Louie Abaigar.

Slowly making their name known to different parts of the US, Canada, Europe and Asia with their well applauded and standing ovation performances, the Angelos was “born” during the solo concert of one of its founders, classical singer and painter George Sison-Tagle.

Angelos will perform with a 60-piece orchestra, the Metro Manila Community Orchestra conducted by renowned composer and conductor Josefino “Chino” Toledo.

Only on its second year, Angelos has won the 2009 Aliw Awards for “Best performance in a Concert by a Group.”

“Capture Your Hearts,” produced by Newsmakers and directed by Al Quinn, will be held at the NBC Tent, Global City in Taguig. Guest performers are Pinky Marquez, Ivy Violan, Merjohn Lagaya, Michael Young, Kris Gonzalez, Fame Flores and D’Dreamgirls.

The show is for the benefit of the Manila Mobile Theater Foundation, Inner Wheel Clubs of the Philippines District 381 and Rotary International District 3830.

* * *
‘Lover Boys’ concert at the Metrobar

Celebrate a post-Valentine date with good music from versatile performers – the country’s greatest balladeers Rico J. Puno, Marco Sison, and Nonoy Zuñiga – at the Metrobar West Ave. QC on Wednesday, Feb. 17 at 9 p.m.

This year will also be a very memorable and fruitful year for the “Lover Boys” (Rico J. Puno, Marco Sison, and Nonoy Zuñiga) as they team up once more and share their top rate performances. Tickets to the “Lover Boys” concert are available at Metrobar.

On Thursday, Feb. 18, OJ Mariano and Josh Santana will team up for another highly anticipated post-Valentine show, also at the Metrobar. The show billed as “In Love with Balladeers.”

OJ is a product of ABS-CBN’s “Star in a Million, and he won the 2006 Awit Awards’ Best New Male Artist. A versatile singer, OJ’s pop/jazz style makes him unique among his peers. His last CD entitled “Ballads” is a testament to his vocal prowess.

Josh, on the other hand, is known as the voice behind the Tagalized version of “Meteor Garden” theme which was a huge hit a few years back. He also tried acting as Carol Banawa’s love team mate in the now defunct telenovela “Bituin.” His latest CD entitled “Eres Tu” is a gamble as he tries a new genre which is Fil-Hispanic, a tribute of his Spanish roots.

Tickets to “In Love with Balladeers” are also available at the Metrobar.

* * *
Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings on Feb. 17 go to Senator Jinggoy Estrada, Butch Raquel, VP-Corporate Communication of GMA-7, singer-turned evangelist Eddie Mesa, PR man Oscar San Pedro, Amor W. Antonio, Dr. R. Slotta of Jamaica General Hospital in New York, comedian Baleleng, Elinor Calma Visaya, Rolan Gabayno, Rhythm Jude Losorata, MB’s associate editor Ramon Francisco, AJ Perez of Star Magic, and awardwinning actress Anne Curtis. Happy 45th wedding anniversary to Dr. Primitivo D. Chua and wife the former Ma. Luline D. Aparri. The celebration will be held at 7 p.m. on Wednesday at the Ambassador Ballroom of the Manila Grand Opera Hotel along Doroteo Jose St. corner Rizal Ave., Sta. Cruz, Manila. Principal sponsors are Rep. Jose C. de Venecia, Jr., Madame Imelda Romualdez Macos, Ambassador Antonio Cabangon Chua and Dr. Nena Eng Tan.