Kanlaon

Today, dear blog readers, self decided to google the Curtis Institute of Music and put herself on their mailing list. Also called their Library Director and left a message, inquiring if they kept any recordings of their student recitals, as self wished to obtain recording of her Dearest Mum, playing at recitals when she was 14, 15, 16. Because, dear blog reader, am of the firm conviction that anyone who gained admittance to such an august institution, at such a tender age (11?), and from such a ruined country (post-war Philippines, circa 1946) deserves to have monument erected, if not in stone, then at the very least in our memories.

Here is what self found on the Curtis Institute web site an hour ago:

The Curtis Institute of Music trains exceptionally gifted young musicians for careers as performing artists on the highest professional level.

Curtis provides a personalized education, the cornerstone of which is one-on-one study with some of today’s leading musical artists.

Admission is highly selective, and enrollment is small–about 160 students per year, based on the musicians needed for a symphony orchestra, opera department, and select programs in piano, organ, harpsichord, composition, and conducting.

All Curtis students receive full-tuition scholarships based on merit, ensuring that talent is the sole consideration for admission.

I did all this, dear blog reader, from residual feelings of guilt that have been building and building for years — no, decades. Like a volcano inside self. And finally, today, this morning, by the grace of God self did receive the wherewithal to act on her compulsions.

Perhaps it was yesterday’s conversation with uncle, on the way back to Daly City after lunch at Il Fornaio? Uncle mentioned visiting Tanglewood, and self remembered there is a famous music festival held there every year, and why hadn’t self ever asked Dearest Mum if she wanted to attend? Why not plan a trip for next year? With favorite niece G, who will be back from her fall quarter at Oxford?

Self remembers that Dearest Mum made plans to come to the States this year because, she said, she was finally going to attend a Curtis reunion. But self, knowing Dearest Mum’s propensity for making highly impulsive decisions, decided to call Curtis first, and found that their reunions are held only once every five years, and the last one was last year (2006), and therefore there would not be another one until 2011. At first, self found it funny that Dearest Mum had bought a plane ticket before even checking with alma mater. But now self finds it inexpressibly sad.

Self is also, at the moment, finally reading a book hubby brought her from the Philippines, when he attended his father’s funeral. The book, published by Anvil, is Aparador ni Lola: Past Lives, Precious Objects, edited by Emmie G. Velarde. For two years, the book has lain untouched in its original plastic wrapping. Today, for some reason (also because self has just returned from administering final exams at xxxx community college and can finally say that summer vacation has officially begun), self cracks it open.

Page one, a definition of aparador: armario, armoire, closet, wardrobe

Self will list all the authors listed in the Table of Contents, in case there are readers who recognize the names, and would like to search for this book themselves. Then, will quote when she gets a little further in. Stay tuned, dear blog reader, stay tuned.

Jose F. Lacaba: “Dreams That Awaken All But the Dreamer” * Abe Florendo: “Looking for Lilang” * Des Ferriols: “Venerable Aparador” * Marily Ysip Orosa: “Scent of Jasmines” * Bill Formoso: “Anything But Thunder” * Myrna Almario-Adriano: “The Commissary” * Anna Leah Sarabia: “She Wore Business Suits” * Tess Cerojano: “Once and Always, Maria Clara” * Jeannie E. Javelosa: “Parallel Reflections” * Lolita Delgado Fansler: “A Toast to Lola” * Monique L. Buensalido: “As If She Never Left” * Mary Lou Lacson-Arcelo: “As If She Never Left” * Babeth Lolarga: “Rot in the Castle” * Jose Javier Reyes: “Tating’s Secrets” * Elvira Mata: “Your Lolo’s Aparador” * Floy Quintos: “Keeper of Treasures” * Emmie G. Velarde: “The Next Owner” * Jose F. Lacaba: “Funeral Procession”