Bacolod’s new impressario

“Army-NPA clash kills 12-year-old boy.” This happened in Kananga, Leyte last Sunday. Now that the Chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines has given the go-signal for his men to launch their vengeance missions against those who killed 14 of them and beheaded 10, how many more non-soldiers and non-rebels will be sacrificed! It does seem as if more non-combatants get killed when encounters occur. Perhaps this is because they do not know they, too, are in danger.

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In the Leyte case, the leader of the soldiers involved in the clash was quoted as saying that the family was believed to be members or supporters of rebels. You see, it was not only the 12-year-old boy who was killed, both his father and mother also died. The military statement was that they were rebels and the father was a known New People’s Army member. And, believe this or not, the spokesperson also said that even the boy was a “courier”! But they were all at home when the bullets hit them. Let’s wait for what the human rights people have to say.

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“Beware of Dogs” as the signs in some homes say, should be listened to, not only by outsiders, but also by the owners of dogs themselves, especially if their pets happen to be of the breed that could be dangerous. In Marikina, Metro Manila, a grandmother was mauled to death by the family-owned pitbull, while her two-year-old granddaughter was severely injured when they were both attacked by their “pet”. Neighbors, and policemen who came to help found the dog with his jaws still locked on the old lady’s flesh. She died before reaching the hospital. The baby is still being treated for her bite wounds.

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We have also reports here of such dogs as Dobermans who suddenly attack members of the family who own them. Several years ago, a little girl who was playing with the family pet, who had always been very gentle and playful with the children, suddenly bit the girl on the forehead. There was no danger of rabies because the dog had been given all the necessary shots, but I heard the girl still bears the scar and, who knows what other traumas from the experience.

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But let’s move on to more pleasurable subjects. Bacoleños will soon have the surprise of their lives when they find out that businessman and insurance executive par excellence Monet Kilayko has now branched out into another endeavor, and this time as an impressario for world class music artists, no less. Monet and his wife, Yoly, are now deep into the promotion and sponsorship of the scheduled concert in Bacolod of the Manila Symphony Orchestra to be conducted by no less than the internationally acknowledged Helen Quach, an artist respected and admired in Philippine music circles as well as abroad.

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Last night, Monet and Yoly hosted a dinner at their beautiful home for James Coyiuto, one of the sponsors and promoters of the concert that is soon going to several cities in the country for similar performances, and Donna Lina, the youthful manager of the MSO. Even if Monet may have had some misgivings before about venturing into this new challenge, I am sure talking with James would have removed any doubts from his mind that he can do it, and that the concert would be a great success in Bacolod.

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We believe this – at least those of us who also listened to James last night - like Ivy Visitacion, Buddai Piccio, Lucy Lizares, Ducky L. and Primo E – describe how he and his family got involved in the career of Helen Quach, who has become almost legendary as a conductor, and how he was virtually lassoed by the Benedictine sisters into involvement with the MSO. The perceptive madres, especially Sister Mary Placid,had virtually launched the career of Christine Coyiuto, pianist wife of James, who has performed as soloist with Helen Quach, who immediately recognized her talent, Christine will be performing with Ms. Quach in Bacolod on Sept. 5.

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I am sure local media will give our new impressario all-out support in this endeavor which will include performances for students to give them an opportunity to listen to world-class musicians like Helen Quach and Christine Coyiuto. I know the two are already familiar to local music lovers because of the wonderful reviews they have gotten for their performances in Manila. So don’t worry, Monet, You’ll make it.*

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