DUMAGUETE City – Members of the Bamboo Organ Foundation, Inc. are set to play the centuries-old historic pipe organ in Bacong, Negros Oriental next month as an “extension” of the International Bamboo Organ Festival 2019 in Las Piñas, Metro Manila.
Msgr. Julius Perpetuo Heruela, parish priest of the St. Augustine of Hippo Parish in Bacong, disclosed over the weekend that some of the artists playing in the Bamboo Festival in Las Piñas will be coming over for the Bacong pipe organ concert.
“We have partnered with the Bamboo Organ Festival (organizers) and their group/organization will be sending some organ players for the concert in Bacong so that our centuries-old pipe organ can be promoted to and appreciated by the people of Negros Oriental and in the Diocese of Dumaguete,” he explained.
The Bacong pipe organ, which came from Zaragosa, Spain, is one of a few remaining of its kind in the Philippines.
According to Heruela, it was acquired in Bacong in 1894, with restoration works commencing in 2008 and by late 2009 was returned to the said town after its full restoration.
“It is our treasure because it is one of the best pipe organs in the country. It comes from Spain and despite its age, it still plays,” he stressed.
The Bacong pipe organ concert is set to be held at 6 p.m. on Feb. 26, and will feature key artists from the Bamboo Organ Festival, Inc., who have played similar pipe organs in Europe, the priest said.
In between pipe organ renditions, local artists, such as the Bacong Children’s Choir, will be featured, with Dumaguete Bishop Julito Cortes invited to also sing in the concert, he added.
“This is a free concert for now but we are looking at making this a launch for a regular pipe organ festival each year, similar to that of the Bamboo Organ Festival in Las Piñas,” Heruela disclosed.
The bamboo organ is located at the loft in the rear of St. Augustine of Hippo Parish Church, the latter now listed as a National Cultural Treasure. (PNA)
