Mamerto Villaba - mi ultimo adios

Mamerto Villaba, one of the early great Filipino concert tenors, gave regular concerts here and abroad since 1954. He was the first Filipino tenor to grace the stage at the New York Town Hall. The tenor showed an early keen inclination to music during childhood, singing in competitions, churches, on radio. His years as a soldier of the 37th Infantry Battalion of the USAFFE during WWII found him singing in 'entertainment nights'.
His first formal training was under Pacita Nolasco Torralba in the early 50's, afterwhich he left for Europe to pursue further studies in music. In 1954, in Paris, he was enrolled at the Ecole Normale de Musique where he took lessons from Paul Durenne, a concert and operatic tenor of the Paris National Opera, and at the University of Paris (Sorbonne) where he took up the French language and civilization course. In this same city, he received further training under the famous concertist and vocal coach Madame Germaine Martinelli. The following year, 1955, saw Mr. Villaba in Rome where he studied with Renato Gigli and Luigi Ricci. In 1972, at the height of his career, Mr. Villaba suffered from a stroke resulting to a total loss of speech. This obstacle, though greatly frustrating, didn't end his career. 5 years of rigorous therapy brought miracles, enabling him to concertize once again. Unfortunately, in 1982, he had his 2nd major stroke, which led him to 'lay low' in singing and instead, busy himself in business. In 1994, the 3rd stroke totally disabled his speech. In 1997, he tried coming back to singing, but this time, as a therapy. Presently, at age 82, he dreams of doing a farewell recital.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• classical

[carlosluz70]

A perfect song to honor the passing of this devoted lover and husband, guerilla guide and WWII hero, the Filipino tenor who won recognitions here and abroad for his beloved Motherland. Farewell Sir Villaba! When here, a stroke took away the voice that rivaled the angelic choir. There in their divine presence, you'll find once more your gift, and be able to offer it in all its grandeur before the Perfect Beauty for which you spared no effort to woo.

[jonzrivera]

,need to memorize this piece!..wew!..RIZAL RULES!!! :)

[lookscudkill]

Wow, not just a Filipino tenor and singing in Spanish, but look at the bottom of the photograph poster: MANILA PARIS ROME STOCKHOLM. For Manila to be listed among those heavyweight cities is something. Imagine if it did reach that level of prestige and ranking.

[teachersdignity]

!Excelente!

[jurbinsky77]

Mi Ultimo Adios.

Ito ang finals exam ko sa Rizal Course sa MLQU. Memorized ko noon at idiniliver ko at about 5:45PM. Jose Ubaldo 1975 - School of Arts (Honors Society)..

[SamuelConcepcion]

Sino na nga ba yung famous Fil. tenor nuong 1970's na pandac at medyo kalbo, and died of kidney failure (uremia)? Magaling yuon eh, hindi ko lang maalaala ang pangalan niya. Meron ba siyang recordings?

[rcarlomagnus]

necesitamos educar los jovenes de la lengua ESPANOLA para intienden nuestro literatura clasical de nuestro pais Y empezar a saber que somos gran nacion .

[renerevuelta1]

sino po ba ang nagsa-musika nitong tula ni rizal at kailan?

[styricpriestess]

he is not known to young Filipinos.

dapat i-promote ang ganintong kanta.

[lcvalaco]

We have to go back to our roots to determine who and what we are now. The artist and the song is part of my being.

I embrace the fact that I have known this man in all different aspects.