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Here is something very unique and special. I review a lot of holiday music, and I mean A LOT of holiday music, and it's not very often that something genuinely unusual presents itself. Pasko Sa Amerika! with the Iskwelahang Pilipino (I.P.) Rondalla of Boston is one of those albums.

The I.P. of Boston is the longest continually running Filipino school of its kind in the United States. Formed in 1976, the school is a nonprofit organization created by parents wanting an environment where their children could learn about their Filipino heritage. The I.P. Rondalla is part of that story; the Rondalla is a musical ensemble formed in 1986 by Cristina Castro. On Pasko Sa Amerika!, the group's second recording, the Rondalla presents 15 holiday numbers that are favorites both in the Philippines and the United States. This is an instrumental album, with 21 students playing the traditional Filipino banduria (similar to a mandolin) and octavina (like a small guitar), in addition to the guitar and bass.

So this cross-cultural, instrumental experience is all about strings, and the mood is of the happiest sort. Three or four songs will be recognizable to general U.S. audiences; the rest are more specific to Filipino traditions. The ample liner notes spell out the various meanings underlying each number. The music is very well executed and full of heart. Because the primary "voices" here are those of bandurias, the plucking tends to be relatively bright, fast, and high. As a result, even the most somber numbers ("Silent Night," "Payapang Daigdig"--composed the day after Manila was leveled during WWII bombing) have an optimistic and merry air.

Pasko Sa Amerika is a fascinating study in Christmas across national boundaries. The musical approach is different, but totally accessible and often surprising. My favorite tracks include Bach's immortal "Air on G String" (no, not a bikini), one of the most beautiful melodies on earth, which is a revelation in the hands of the I.P. Rondalla, and the "Mano Po, Ninong/Here We Come A Wassailing" medley, which nicely melds the two cultural approaches.

So, as the I.P. Rondalla itself advises, "Maligayang Pasko (Merry Christmas), and happy listening!"

--Carol Swanson
(Reviewed in 2005)

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From the liner notes:

A fresh take on classic Christmas songs beloved in both the Phillipines and the U.S.

The Iswelahang Pilipino (I.P.) Rondalla of Boston
Christi-Anne Castro: Music Director and Rondalla Master, Resident Composer and Arranger

Instrument and participants in I.P. Rondalla:
Banduria 1 (six players)
Banduria 2 (five players)
Octavina (five players)
Guitar (four players)
Bass (one player)

From the Web site:

Iskwelahang Pilipino is a non-profit organization run by volunteers in the Greater Boston area. It was founded in 1976 by a group of parents to create an environment where their children will have the opportunity to learn about their Filipino heritage. Parent participation in school activities is a pre-requisite in joining Iskwelahang Pilipino.

Iskwelahang Pilipino Rondalla Ensemble of Boston The Ensemble was established in 1986 by Cristina Castro under the music direction of classical/folk guitarist, Michael Dadap. Since its founding, the Ensemble has completed three international tours and performed at numerous colleges and folk festivals throughout the Eastern United States. Their July 1990 tour of the Philippines was highlighted by a special performance before then-President Corazon Aquino at Malacañang Palace. In April 1993, the group gave a special tribute performance in honor of Nitoy Gonzales, the beloved Filipino rondalla maestro, composer, and songwriter. In November that same year, the group took part in a special performance at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York in honor of the visiting Philippine President Fidel V. Ramos. The following year, the Ensemble was again invited to perform for President Ramos at the Westin Hotel in Boston. In 1994, the Ensemble went on a three-week European concert tour of Belgium, Germany, The Netherlands, Austria and England. Their first full length CD, Crossing Over, was recorded and released in 1995. In 1998, in celebration of the Centennial of the Philippine Republic, the group completed a 3-week/18-performance tour of the Philippines highlighted by a performance at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. Their latest CD, Pasko sa Amerika, an album of Filipino and Western Christmas favorites was released in 2002. In February, 2004, the group participated in the first International Rondalla Festival held in the Bicol Region of the Philippines.

Iskwelahang Pilipino Rondalla of Boston

Pasko Sa Amerika (Christmas in America)

Artist link

Track List