Silliman University (SU) alumnus Ricardo C. Abapo Jr. put his talent into display in “Duo Concertante for Piano” concert with fellow pianist Gabriel Allan Paguirigan, from University of the Philippines Diliman, last Jan. 20 at Luce Auditorium.
Abapo Jr., a former part-time instructor at SU College of Performing and Visual Arts, and Paguirigan performed the music of world-renowned composers like Bach, Petri, Mombou, Debussy and Mozart.
Abapo also did a solo during the second part of the program, playing two pieces entitled Luha and Ang Larawan by Filipino composer F. Buencamino.
As an ending piece, the duo played a piano medley featuring songs by various Filipino artists such as Ryan Cayabyab.
The event was sponsored by SU Culture and Arts Council and the university.
“We felt like the program was too long already, so we wanted to offer a shorter piece, pero parang may ‘ganoon’ sa puso,” said Paguirigan regarding their medley performance.
Abapo added that they also wanted the audience, who were prominently Filipinos, to relate with the songs more.
Paguirigan and Abapo met in 2015 during the finals of the National Music Competition for Young Artists- Piano/Senior Category, held at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.
Paguirigan was declared champion.
Paguigiran said although he and Abapo entered the same competition, they weren’t treating each other as competitors.
“During the competition, it seemed like we were friends. We were just scribbling together,” Abapo shared.
In November 2017, the pair worked together during the Season’s Symphonies: Christmas in Vienna holiday concert at Ayala Museum in Makati along with other singers.
