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