Manila Bulletin article on Casa San Miguel

This is one my favorite places in Zambales. My sister and youngest brother used to study here.

An art center betwixt the mountains and the seas
By VINCE G. LOPEZ
June 27, 2010, 11:58am
Some tourists travel to the province of Zambales to experience a quick beach getaway, others to get a taste of its bountiful harvest that includes the world’s sweetest mangoes. But for the artistically inclined, they visit the province to indulge in Filipino artistry at its finest.

Casa San Miguel is nestled within the stretch of wonderful beaches and breathtaking mountains.

This oasis for fine arts was built in 1921 by the Corpuz family. The house initially served as the family’s own retreat house by the sea and a place for picnics and numerous musical gatherings.

In 1993, Coke Bolipata, grandson of the original owner Ramon L. Corpuz, designed an Art Center to replace the house that was damaged over time. Since then, Casa San Miguel became a center where Filipino talent is honed and developed.

From being a haven for leisurely picnics and family gatherings, the place became a home for budding artists who wish to develop their skills and learn more about their craft. This center for the arts was built on the belief that art can extend its boundaries to create more awareness for an enriched humanity.

The main house features a distinctively artistic appeal for artists and art lovers. The interiors and accents within the main house instill inspiration and fascination for the arts. Amidst mango trees and lush greeneries are scattered art works including sculptures from Leeroy New. A relaxing ambience fills the air as visitors realize the overflowing creativity that the house has produced over the years.

Casa San Miguel complements the scenery by housing indoor concerts for the public. The Ramon Corpuz Hall is designed for concerts that can accommodate a chamber orchestra, theater plays, operettas and even ballet productions. Outside the hall is an outdoor circular theater that serves as an alternative venue where guests can enjoy concerts and performances with nature as its backdrop.

The sights & sounds of San Antonio, Zambales

This recently came into my mail via Google Alerts, a Channel News Asia Article about San Antonio, Zambales. Below is an excerpt from the article.

The music is thanks to Casa San Miguel, a community-based arts centre that nurtures the talents of local children in various disciplines. The centre is run by music director Alfonso “Coke” Bolipata, an alumnus of the Julliard School of Music in New York and the University of Indiana.

Coke, who heads the arts centre cum school, had quit his job as a professional musician in New York to set up the centre. It was his way of giving back to the community.

Situated on his family’s mango orchard, Casa San Miguel has a two-storey visual arts gallery, residences for artists, a hall that can accommodate chamber orchestra concerts and a 1,000-seat circular outdoor theatre set amid the cool shades of the mango trees.


Casa San Miguel, 2005 (Photo by: Kat Sales)

The centre is where the young of San Miguel can get a quality education in the arts, be it visual arts, photography or music. Most of the students are children of fishermen and farmers from the village, but some hail from affluent neighbourhoods in Manila. Classes and workshops are conducted by Coke and volunteer Filipino artists.

The school’s alumni have gone on to win prizes in the Philippines as well as been talent spotted by agents from the Julliard School of Music whom Coke invites to the village’s annual showcase of artistry.

Indeed, the opening night of the 16th Pundaquit Festival of Music and the Arts on March 28 saw the Pundaquit Virtuosi — a string orchestra featuring gifted children from five to 15 — giving a stunning performance that would not be out of place at the best concert halls in the world.

For the complete article about San Antonio, Zambales, please visit this link.

I also added some pictures of Casa San Miguel to the photo album. These were taken during a trip there back in 2005. So many things have changed already, which I hope to see soon.

Cinemalaya presents BOSES

This year's Cinemalaya has an entry titled, "BOSES" (Voice). It's the story of a musician, who regains back his humanity by giving violin lessons to a child of the slums. In turn, the child, through the instrument, is able to get back his voice from a muted, abused and desensitized existence. This is a story of a friendship founded on the sublime beauty of music. (blurb from Yoopee)

It stars Ricky Davao, Meryll Soriano, and Ms. Cherry Pie. The interesting part here is the child actor is none other than Casa San Miguel student Julian Duque. Coke Bolipata is also in the movie as the reclusive musician, and I believe it was shot in Casa San Miguel. He also is the movie's musical director, and you'll see him play several times in the movie. Prepare to be amazed.

I met Julian, or Ambo as he's more known, two years ago, during their performance at the Light in a Million Mornings in PICC. He was only six or seven years old then, and the youngest of all the musicians. My younger sister and brother were also playing, and they were all students of Sir Coke. Ambo's violin is really small but he plays it so well.

Here's another chance for Zambales to be in the spotlight! I hope those who are in Manila can take the time to watch this. The movie has a very wonderful message, and is also a vehicle for campaign against child abuse.

For schedules: CINEMALAYA GOES UP 2008 schedule

Related news: Cinemalaya's Boses offers hope, music for kids