On behalf of the Rizal province community, I welcome a world-renowned comprovinciano who is visiting the country following a historic feat that only one other Filipino has achieved.

Celebrated Filipino tenor Arthur Espiritu duplicated what compatriot bass-baritone Jose Mossesgeld Santiago had done 82 years ago – perform at the hallowed hall of the La Scala Opera House in Milan, Italy.

La Scala is said to be the testing arena, the proverbial furnace in which gold is tested, as far as the world’s greatest opera and classical singers are concerned. La Scala is patronized by the most elite of all of opera aficionados who are known not only for their discriminating taste but also for their ability to rudely respond to a performer who fails to meet their standards.

Two of opera’s greatest singers, tenor Luciano Pavarotti and soprano Maria Callas, are said to have received boos and catcalls from the La Scala audience following fumbles with their high “Cs.” Espiritu got none, and so it can be said that he passed the La Scala test with flying colors.

We are proud of what Arthur has accomplished. First, because he is a Filipino. Second, because he is a Filipino tenor who was born and spent more than a decade of his childhood in the quiet but historic town of Morong, Rizal.

Arthur migrated to the United States when he was 14.

It was the University of New Orleans which brought his powerful tenor to the fore. It was the Oberlin Conservatory of Music which refined it to world-class standards.

But it must have been the air of beautiful Morong that planted the seeds of music in Arthur’s heart.

It is said that a musical nymph haunts the hills, fields, and rivers of the towns of Rizal. That corner where Morong meets Angono must be that nymph’s favorite spot. It is there where a great maestro of music was born and composed his many works.

The Rizaleño’s name is Lucio San Pedro. He is known by today’s generation of Filipinos as the man behind the touching melody of the now-immortal “Ugoy ng Duyan.”

Arthur is not the sole heir of Maestro Lucio’s tradition. There are many more young Rizaleños making their mark in the field of pop music, including Makisig Morales of “Little Big Star” fame, and Jonalyn Viray, the first “Pinoy Pop Superstar” grand champion.

Near the respective birthplaces of Maestro Lucio and Signor Arthur is a school which makes sure that the tradition they represent lives on.

The school is named Regional Pilot School for the Arts (RPSA) and is located at the St. Martin subdivision in Angono town.

RPSA is not exclusive to the budding artists of Rizal province. Its doors are open to the gifted youth of the Southern Tagalog region. It offers the regular academic high school subjects, but also includes extensive training and exposure to dance, music (vocal and instrumental), theater arts, visual arts, and media arts.

RPSA provides these budding artists with more than just training. At RPSA, they become part of a community of young people who share the same passion for their art and craft. They hone their God-given talents in a supportive environment where they are encouraged to express their giftedness to the fullest.

In many ways, RPSA mirrors the very character of its host community – Angono. Like the rest of the province, Angono is one big supportive environment where the flourishing of talents is encouraged.

At the end of the day, artists need a supportive community, be it the Rizal province community, or the global community where Signor Arthur Espiritu now shines.

May this Rizaleño tradition live on.