I attended the 7th installment of Freeway's National Artist Collectors’ Series before I went to work last night. This June, Freeway honors its first ever National Artist for Music featured in the well-loved series.
In the past years, the series featured National Artists Nick Joaquin (Literature), Ang Kiukok (Visual Arts), Jose Garcia Villa (Literature), Ramon Valera (Fashion Design), F. Sionil José (Literature) and Vicente Manansala (Visual Arts). For Fall 2012 Collection of the National Artist Collectors’ Series, Freeway features the works of National Artist for Music, Levi Celerio. I have been invited to all these events but only managed to attend for the 3rd time because of schedule constraints. I am just so happy that I decided to wake up a little earlier than usual and attend this latest installment of the series as I really enjoyed it.
Held last night (June 4) at The Row, Glorietta 5, Freeway gathered both fashion and music enthusiasts, media and bloggers, and the family and friends of Levi Celerio to celebrate the life and works of the Filipino music prodigy. The event was hosted by Giselle Tongi. She was joined by special guest Dr. Antonio Hila, Cultural Historian and a Music Critic who shared interesting talks and trivia about Celerio and his dedication and intense love for music.
One of the highlights of the night was the spectacle musical performance of Levi Celerio’s songs by Asia’s Queen of Songs, Ms. Pilita Corrales. People joyfully reminisced the good old days when she sang Ang Pipit, Saan Ka Man Naroroon?, Kahit Konting Pagtingin and Waray-Waray. Memories of me singing Ang Pipit with the Glee Club that I was a part of in my grade school days came flooding through me. I also loved the anecdotes that Pilita shared about how quick the National Artist was when composing songs.
Celerio is probably best recognized for being a leaf-player, an achievement where he was place into the Guinness Book of World Records as the only man who could play music with a leaf. On October 9, 1997, he was proclaimed National Artist for Music and Literature. His citation read that his music "was a perfect embodiment of the heartfelt sentiments and valued traditions of the Filipino.”
The latest Freeway National Artist collection includes beautiful modern tailored dresses, sublimation print graphic tees, woven tops in chiffons and poplins, sexy printed knit mini dresses and accessories printed with words and lyrics from some of the most famous works of Celerio which includes Sa Ugoy ng Duyan, Saan Ka Man Naroroon, Ikaw ang Mahal Ko, Ang Daigdig Ko’y Ikaw, Ang Pipit and O Maliwanag na Buwan. Lots of choices for that impressive workwear that lets you stand out or that memorable weekend get-away outfit. It’s Freeway’s way of honoring Levi Celerio and his rich legacy to Philippine music. Don’t just sing his songs, wear them! The collection will hit Freeway stores by June 5, 2012.
Please don't forget to like Freeway's Facebook Page and follow them on Twitter for update and more information about the collection.
Thank you Freeway for providing the gift...
Have you attended any of the National Artist Collection launches? Did you buy any item from the previous collections? I hope this time you will add some more stuff to your collection in support for Freeway's laudable initiative to introduce these Philippine National Artists.
