By Nova Veraley V. Grafe
RUTH IMPERIAL PFEIFFER or “Inday Ruth”—as most of her friends would call her— was not just a woman with exceptional talent in music, but also a woman whose passion has cultivated the development of Filipino music communities in Silliman University and in Honolulu, Hawaii.
As it commemorates the Most Outstanding Sillimanian Awardee for Music, Silliman University holds a tribute to her life as a mentor, an accompanists, a role model, a friend, and a mother.
One of her friends in Hawaii, Isabel Dimaya-Vista said that even if Ruth was very busy in her duties as founder-director of the Panama Singers, and later the Silangan Singers, both choirs presenting choral arrangements of Filipino folk songs; she made time to drive Paul (Ruth’s second son) to school. Isabel also added that one of the things that they usually do together was “going to the famous Waikiki beach and having picnic after church”.
Isabel said that Pfeifer’s warm and welcoming presence has taught her to enjoy life, to relax, to laugh, and not to be too serious.
Both sons, John and Paul, said that they were thankful l for their mother for being very supportive of them. They grew up around a lot of artists,musicians, and performers. John Pfeiffer, the youngest son said,
“We were taught by our parents that we are independent people. They gave us a lot of freedom and confidence and to not be afraid to go out, to do something and try of something.” Paul Pfeiffer described his mom as a joyful person.
“Even when she’s sick and went on a major difficulty, she has the ability to find the positive side of things. She has this internal power to remain very positive.” The performances of the Orkestra Sin Arco, Silliman University Women’s Ensemble, Silliman University Men’s Glee Club, Silliman University Campus Choristers, and Ating Pamana, Inc., filled the church with Visayan folk songs as well as songs of love, peace, and faith. The said concert was held at the Silliman University Church, last July 17.
