Sa madali’t salita, ang teorya ay isang kasangkapan lamang ng pagtanaw upang maunawaan ang salimuot ng nobela.

Since my husband is part of the UST guitar faculty, I was with the UST contingent as they had their routine after-concert inuman session. What I gathered was, the general consensus of those who watched the competition was not that Homer Cabansag should have won, but that Franco Maigue did not deserve first place. For one, he was not able to finish his piece within the time limit allotted for both rounds as he was stopped by the judges, and that should have been enough ground for disqualification or point deduction. How are the judges able to make a scoring based on an unfinished piece? How could someone who did not follow contest rules win first place, or even place at all? If there are exceptions to the rule, why impose a time limit if one can disregard such rule and still win? The students’ bet to win the competition based on their performance was either the American or the German–both of whom have won numerous 1st prizes in various international competitions according to the program–but neither got into the top 3.

Also, everyone was in general agreement that Homer played better than the guy who won Best Filipino Guitarist. Homer’s performance was flawless, while the other guy’s playing was, as they said, ‘sabit-sabit.’ How can one win BEST Filipino Guitarist if another Filipino guitarist played better? I did not get to watch the competition, so I’d love for someone to enlighten me and tell me with all honesty that the other guy surely played better than Homer.

I studied in UP. Despite being married to a Thomasian, I love UP down to my very core. In fact, I met my husband at the NAMCYA in 2005 because I was there to support my guitarist friend from UP. Some of the things UP has taught me was to be discerning, to be fair, and to question what does not seem right.

This is already Franco’s second controversial win. My husband thinks that Monching Carpio (also from UP) should have won first place in the last NAMCYA, others think Homer should have won.

I wonder if Franco can look people in the eye and say that he truly and without a doubt deserved his title and his new guitar. I wonder if that Best Filipino Guitarist winner can look Homer in the eye and say he did better. I’m leaning towards no.

While my husband is willing to let this blog post slide, I am compelled to reply to clarify that the guys from UST are not saying Homer should have won. No. It’s that Franco and the other Filipino prizewinner did not deserve their brand-new titles. But they did win. And maybe that’s what the author (whom I don’t know, by the way, and neither do I know his son) is referring to as ‘Lutong Diliman.’

Regards,

Andrea Mesa
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But in much more intellectual and subjective sense, I know how UST Guitarists sound. And they have awed me in much more instances than the others.

On the contrary, as a performer myself, I believe that the true meaning of competitions aren’t the trophies but the time and effort I’ve spent practicing my repertoire. It has to make me a better musician. Sure, prestige is nice, but it all boils down to the what it taught me and how it made me and as a musician. And I honestly don’t think Homer or the others cried upon on this kind of stuff.

At kung luto man yun o hindi, that was what the jury agreed upon. They did it. Their positions allow them to make such decision – and if in our judgements, they are not the right people, I am sorry to tell but we just have to be the jury ourselves.

Meanwhile, all we can do is make the most music out of it..

Ayoko ko nang pahabain pa ang aking mga sasabihin..

Ito nalang ang huli kong hirit..

Pakitanong nalang kay Mr. Ruben Reyes kung alam nya ang salitang “Lutong Manyak”.

Salamat po.