BALITANG KONSULADO
Opisyal na Lathalain ng Konsulado Panlahat ng Pilipinas sa Hong Kong
Vol. IV No. 4
Sixty Years Of Filipino Musicians In Hong Kong
A major concert honoring
the contributions and
achievements of Filipino
musicians in Hong Kong for
the last 60 years was held on
20 November 2005 with
President Gloria Macapagal-
Arroyo as a surprise guest.
Dubbed “A Tribute to Fili-
pino Musicians in Hong
Kong: Six Decades of Music
and Entertainment,” the
concert featured Filipino
bands and musicians, some
in their ‘70s and ‘80s, in an
emotional reunion of senior
and popular artists during
the five-hour show at the
H o ng K ong Cultura l
Centre’s Piazza.
The musicians, performers
and honorees were surprised
and turned teary-eyed when
President Arroyo made an
unannounced appearance at
Consul General Corazon Belmonte-Jover: Foreign
service can never be boring, always challenging
S h e
joined
t h e
for-
eign
ser-
vice
to see
his-
tory
ConGen Belmonter-Jover i
n “It’s a great adventure.
t h e
making, see people making
history, and make history
happen.
Consul General Corazon
Belmonte-Jover has
accomplished this
challenging goal after 30
the stage to personally greet
them and thank the Hong
Kong government for
recognizing the talent of
Filipino musicians.
The core group who
co-organized the event said
that it was the first time a
President greeted the annual
concert.
The President likewise
viewed the photo exhibition
recounting the experiences
of the Filipino musicians in
Hong Kong from the 1940s
up to the present. After the
concert, the photo exhibition
was transferred to the
Philippine Consulate
General’s premises.
This year’s concert involved
the active cooperation of
Filipino musicians in Hong
years in foreign service.
She has witnessed historical
events unfolding in the many
countries she has directly
served – Philippines,
M a l a ys i a , C a m b o d i a ,
Singapore, London,
Moscow, Vietnam, Hong
Kong and Macau.
Foreign service can never be
boring. Always challenging,
always something new,” she
adds with pride.
Jover joined the Department
of Foreign Affairs in 1975.
Her previous foreign service
assignments included Kuala
Honoring Filipino Musicians. PGMA pays tribute to Filipino Musicians
for their contributions to Hong Kong society for six decades
Kong with Mr. Nicki Flores,
Mr. Dodie Marcelo, Mr.
Alex Canda, Mr. Armando
Manlangit and Mr. Jun
Santiago composing the core
group.
The concert started with the
Pinoy Music Provider’s
opening salvo of popular
Lumpur as deputy Chief of
M i s s i on ( 19 9 5 -2 0 0 0) ,
Singapore as Minister
Counselor then Director of
the APEC Secretariat then as
Charge d/Affaires (1994-
1995), Moscow as First
Secretary and Consul then as
Minister Counselor (1986-
1988), London as second
Secretary and Consul then as
First Secretary and Consul.
Her first foreign posting as
Third Secretary and Vice
Consul (1977-1978) was in
Vietnam where she
established the Philippine
Embassy in Hanoi.
She will leave Hong Kong
DECEMBER 2005
DECEMBER 2005
tunes from the 1940s to the
1960s. Its guest performers,
Ms. Lita Carrillo wowed the
crowd with her jazz
rendition of the song “On a
Clear Day” while Mr. Berry
Yaneza, blowing the trumpet
at age 78, delighted the
crowd with his rendition of
(Continued on page 2)
on 15 January 2006 to
assume her new post as
Deputy Chief of Mission of
the Philippine Embassy in
Beijing, China.
“It was tough but very
challenging,” says Consul
General Jover of her
two-year stint as Consul
General of Hong Kong
Special Administrative
Region.
“The only thing I can hope
for is that all the projects,
activities and services that
all of us – the Philippine
Consulate, the bankers, the
(Continued on page 3)
BALITANG KONSULADO DECEMBER 2005

A Tribute to Filipino Musicians in Hong Kong

Shown here are some photographs showcasing the Filipino musicians’ presence in Hong Kong since the forties up to the
present. These musicians have contributed their artistry, hard work, professionalism, talents, wisdom, and patience as world
class entertainers in Hong Kong.

These musical geniuses are a class of their own, their foothold have molded and shaped the musical scene of Hong Kong.
Through their pursuit of love and passion for music, they have paved the way for generations of Filipino to be admired,
recognized, welcomed, and to be employed in Hong Kong as musicians.

Our sincere appreciation, thanks, and salute to each and every single Filipino musician, past and present, whose talent,
professionalism and contribution have made a difference here in Hong Kong, be it big or small. Maraming, Maraming
Salamat Po!

MINSTRELS OF ASIA 1940’s

LOBING SAMSON (center) FRED CARPIO (second form left)
and THE SWING BAND and his band

MINSTRELS OF ASIA

They served as
volunteers with the
Royal Hong Kong
1950’s Regiment (police
TINO GATCHALIAN (first from left) with force) or Hong Kong
Auxiliary Force ARTURO DIMANLIG
BAND of TODAY

1960’s 1960’s
TONY CARPIO (center) and the LITA MENDOZA with CELSO CARILLO
CORSAIRS (on piano) and his band

4
BALITANG KONSULADO DECEMBER 2005

Six Decades of Musical Artistry

1960’s 1970’s
NONOY OCAMPO (center) VIC CRISTOBAL (second from right)
with MAJOR and MINOR and his band

1980’s
REMY M. SABINANO, SOPRANO, with 1980’s
the 65 PC. FILIPINO BRASS BAND, NIKKI FLORES (center)
conducted by REY CRISTOBAL and the LINICS

1980’s
CRIS BABIDA (center) 1990’s
with his BIG BAND ERNESTO CORPUZ

2000’s
Bottom Photo:
Berry Yaneza (center)
together with the
China Coast Jazzmen

BERRY YANEZA
1990’s
BADING TUASON