Fashion and lifestyle clothing brand Freeway recently launched its 9th installment of the National Artist Collection Series featuring the National Artist for Music none other than Lucio San Pedro.
The launching event was to celebrate Lucio San Pedro‘s 100th Birth Centennial with the brand’s collection of awe-inspiring pieces beaming with Filipino pride. It was held last May 28, 2013 at the Row in Glorietta. It was joined by San Pedro’s family and friends, press from TV and magazine, bloggers and others.
I was fortunate to have been invited again by Freeway to be part of the launch. I’m sure most us know Lucio San Pedro’s lullaby song “Sa Ugoy ng Duyan.” Do you still remember this song on your music subject? Or probably your mom sing it when you were a kid? Me? Definitely YES! When I were in grade in school, I still remember I joined in a choral group and the first song I heard from was “Sa Ugoy ng Duyan.” I’m a mama’s boy that’s why I love this song so much.
Anyway, Lucio San Pedro was born in Angono, Rizal on February 11, 1913. He was a great Filipino composer, conductor and teacher. Other than “Sa Ugoy ng Duyan,” he composed many different types of music including symphonic, band, vocal, choral, theater, chamber and movie, all which boasts Filipino pride and soul. His popular works include orchestral music The Devil’s Bridge, Malakas at Maganda Overture, Prelude and Fugue in D minor and Hope and Ambition; choral music Easter Cantata, Sa Mahal Kong Bayan and Rizal’s Valedictory Poem; vocal music Lulay, In the Silence of the Night; and band music Dance of the Fairies, Triumphal March and Angononian March.
Let’s back to the event. The tribute event was hosted by the beautiful Rachel Alejandro. It was started with a video montage of San Pedro’s life and works. We were taken back in time as they became more familiar of the National Artist’s biography and how he came to be an outstanding and inspiring individual to the Philippine musical culture.
We were treated to a beautiful medley of songs prepared by high school students straight from Lucio’s hometown, the ARS Noveau Chorale from Angono Rizal Lead School for the Arts. They awed us with hits such as Sa Mahal Kong Bayan, Piliin Mo ang Pilipinas, Kayumangging Malaya and Sa Ugoy ng Duyan. Also a respected musical talent herself, Ms. Rachel Alejandro surprised us by joining the kids onstage and performed with them.
Of course the night wouldn’t be complete without Lucio San Pedro’s beloved family being present. The night’s special guests, Kristy San Pedro Salita, Rhodora San Pedro delos Santos, Alberto delos Santos and Prof. Gabby San Pedro Rojas, did a special interview with Rachel onstage.
In line with the nationalistic theme of the event, the night was capped off with the presentation of the winners of the recently held Art Bag Design Contest. Their winning designs, Fiestas in the Philippines by Kevin Roque and Ang Huling Babaylan by Christine Sioco, are now available in Freeway stores nationwide.
This time let’s go with the collection, it is composed of a wide array of casual to work tops and dresses using fabrics such as satinized twills, matte charmeuse, poplins and knits. The unique cuts and styles made out of different fabric combinations are carefully crafted to flatter the woman’s figure without sacrificing comfort by using mostly stretch fabrications. As for its visual prowess, the collection combines floral inspirations with hand drawn lines and curves fused with lyrics and titles of San Pedro’s famous orchestra pieces. Colors range from the basic black and white to subtle tones such as beige and teal. Certainly, these pieces are made to capture the essence and mark of the Filipina’s modern beauty.
Match the Freeway x Lucio San Pedro pieces with footwear from JANYLIN (www.facebook.com/Janylinshoes) as seen in the campaign photos.
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