Grand dame of the Philippine stage Fides Cuyugan Asensio is a National Artist for Music

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Transcript

00:00 Filipinos are slowly but surely being recognized around the world as a race of people who are very appreciative of music,

00:07 with many being able to at least carry a tune.

00:10 Thus, it is such a privilege to have a national artist for music recognized for her singing prowess

00:15 in tonight's very first offering of "Beyond the Set" by our very own Monique Tuzon.

00:20 [Music]

00:31 Tonight, I have a very special guest with me who was just recently named a national artist for music,

00:37 and she needs no introduction.

00:39 [Music]

00:50 In the strength of Proclamation 1390,

00:54 which was passed by the distinguished President Rodrigo Roa Duterte,

00:58 the Order of the National Association of Musicians

01:03 was called upon by Titus Quijoga Nascenso No. 10 of June, 2022, in the Palace of Malacanang.

01:13 A Coloratura force to be reckoned with during the 50s and 60s,

01:18 who finally got the recognition she deserved.

01:22 Oh, I was over the moon.

01:24 I had people telling me, "I think you're worth to get the national artist."

01:30 I would go, "Hmm?"

01:34 I just already did it a third time.

01:39 "Titus, congratulations," somebody, one of the professors told me.

01:45 I said, "Why? What did I do?"

01:50 He said, "It's not my birthday."

01:53 "Don't you know? You're a national artist!"

01:57 [Laughs]

02:00 Do you remember performing for any presidents before?

02:04 The Marcoses, the Quijos?

02:06 I remember.

02:07 [Singing]

02:18 With the Melda singing.

02:20 [Singing]

02:34 Not only was she known for singing,

02:36 Quijoga Nascenso also appeared in several TV shows.

02:41 TV? I had my own TV show?

02:44 My life has been a series of all kinds of theater.

02:51 And then there was another show, which was also a TV show.

02:59 And it lasted 13 years.

03:03 Wow.

03:04 Where was this?

03:05 I think the Night of Music.

03:07 The other one was Sunday, Sixth Sunday.

03:10 [Singing]

03:18 For 40 years, Quijoga Nascenso played Sisa in Felipe De Leon's Noli, Mi Tangere.

03:24 [Singing]

03:37 Acting and opera go together.

03:41 I cannot sing opera without acting.

03:44 Sisa has always been my role for 40 years.

03:50 Always Sisa, Sisa, Sisa.

03:52 I was singing all foreign arias for my graduation.

04:00 And my teacher, she said, "I need a Filipino aria, Tagalog aria."

04:06 And she talked to Felipe De Leon, who was then one of the more popular composers.

04:17 "Can you write something for me?"

04:20 "Oh, sure."

04:23 And he wrote something that is very much like the foreign "kah-kah-kah," I call it.

04:35 [Laughing]

04:42 When I asked her about what's the most fulfilling or proudest moment of her life, this is what she said.

04:48 I taught so many pupils, so many.

04:51 That is what I'm proud about.

04:54 Because from there, they will be teaching also.

04:59 And I'm sure they will find it as fulfilling as I did.

05:08 How do you spend your time?

05:09 Oh, I'm writing my memoir.

05:12 Oh, you're coming out with a memoir!

05:14 It's fantastic to write a memoir.

05:19 When is it going to come out?

05:21 My hands, I have carpal tunnel syndrome, and my hands hurt.

05:27 So I have to take time.

05:29 And for those aspiring Filipino musicians, here's her advice for you.

05:33 Just do it.

05:36 Don't give up.

05:37 Whatever you want to do, do it.

05:41 [Singing]

06:07 Fides Cuyugan Asensho, a librettist, actress, soprano, and national artist.

06:14 [Singing]

06:20 (upbeat music)

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