Pinoy guitar duo performs at intl music fest in Malaysia

A Filipino guitar duo -- Leo Nebrija and Joseph Ramos -- performed along wtih guitarists from different countries during the recent "Kolej Tuanku Ja'afar (KTJ) International Youth Guitar Festival" in Malaysia, the Department of Foreign Affairs said. In a news release, the DFA said the Filipino duo were well-applauded during their performance at the KTJ Auditorium in Sembilan, Malaysia on June 9. The duo played 'Bayan Ko,' 'Langit ang Ligaya,' 'Fantasie Op.54bis,' 'Café Para Dos' and 'Introduction et Fandango,' the DFA said.' Aside from the Philippines, guitarists from Hong Kong, Brazil, and Thailand participated in the event that also featured the KTJ Choir and the KTJ String Ensemble. Now on its second year, the KTJ International Youth Guitar Festival ran from June 7 to 9. This year's event featured a workshop, a student recital, and a master class from the foreign guitarists. Among those who attended the event were Philippine Vice Consuls John Francis Herrera and Johann Veronica Andal and Cultural Attaché Helen Grace Cuisia. Nebrija and Ramos' performance during the Kolej Tuanku Ja'afar guitar festival on June 9 was their first abroad. They also performed the following day before the Filipino community at the “2012 Fiesta sa Embahada” held at the Embassy grounds. Intertwined roots The duo both honed their musical skills at the University of Santo Tomas (UST) under the wing of Ruben Reyes, coordinator of the UST guitar department. Nebrija studied Bachelor of Music-Guitar and is a pioneer of the UST Guitar Quartet (USTGQ), one of the top guitar ensembles in the Philippines. He performed at concerts at different venues in the country such as UST, Paco Park, Water Front Hotel, Instituto Cervantes, PCI Auditorium, and Nicanor Abelardo Hall.   As a solo artist, he also performed in Tagbilaran, Bohol with the UST Summer Music Camp with the UST Symphony Orchestra and at the Instituto Cervantes' Cinco Siglos de Guitarra Recital.   Ramos on the other hand, graduated from UST with a Bachelor of Science degree in Math, Major in Computer Science. While working full-time as an IT professional, he pursued his passion for classical guitar by enrolling at extension classes offered by the UST Conservatory of Music. Nebrija and Ramos also previously played at the EDSA Shrine in October 2011 and more recently, on January 26 this year for the Philippine International Guitar Festival and Competition at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. - with Andrei Medina, VVP, GMA News